Egypt Compared To Mesopotamia Essay

Ancient Egypt is thought to have begun in about 3100 B.C. and end in about 712 B.C. compared to Mesopotamia began in about 5000 B.C and was constantly invaded an immersed in other cultures making it unclear when it officially ended. Egypt is located in present-day Northeast Africa while Mesopotamia is located in present-day Iraq and parts of Syria, Iran, and Turkey. The land in Egypt and Mesopotamia was quite fertile because of seasonal rains and flooding. While Egypt was dictated by Pharaohs who ruled the entire civilization, Mesopotamia was governed by kings who controlled single cities. Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia shared similarities as well as differences in their accomplishments, religion, and reason for the decline.Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia have many similarities and differences while contrasting their accomplishments. One significant achievement these civilizations participate in is the creation of magnificent temples created for religious purposes. Around, 2550 B.C. the Pharaoh Khufu designed the first Pyramid of Giza. This luxurious temple is the largest pyramid in Giza standing at an astounding 481 feet. In 2100 B.C. the Ziggurat of Ur was built for the moon goddess Nanna. While the pyramid in Giza is 481 feet, the Ziggurat of Ur stands over 100 feet.

Although religion is close in comparison in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, they contain many differences. Both civilizations were polytheistic, which is the belief in many gods. Religion was a significant influence in everyday life in both Egypt and Mesopotamia. The contrasting societies also believed that gods controlled the phenomena the occurred around them, for example, weather, food production, and the rivers rising. While both civilizations are similar in many ways, they also differ in some aspects. Egyptian people viewed their gods as generous and devoted to humanity; the gods were helpful and courteous. However, Mesopotamian people viewed their gods as destructive and unpredictable.

While Egypt and Mesopotamia had many successes, they were inevitable to decline. There were many reasons for the deterioration of Egypt and Mesopotamia, some of them being war, climate change,

Ancient Egypt is thought to have begun in about 3100 B.C. and end in about 712 B.C. compared to Mesopotamia began in about 5000 B.C and was constantly invaded an immersed in other cultures making it unclear when it officially ended. Egypt is located in present-day Northeast Africa while Mesopotamia is located in present-day Iraq and parts of Syria, Iran, and Turkey. The land in Egypt and Mesopotamia was quite fertile because of seasonal rains and flooding. While Egypt was dictated by Pharaohs who ruled the entire civilization, Mesopotamia was governed by kings who controlled single cities. Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia shared similarities as well as differences in their accomplishments, religion, and reason for the decline.

Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia have many similarities and differences while contrasting their accomplishments. One significant achievement these civilizations participate in is the creation of magnificent temples created for religious purposes. Around, 2550 B.C. the Pharaoh Khufu designed the first Pyramid of Giza. This luxurious temple is the largest pyramid in Giza standing at an astounding 481 feet. In 2100 B.C. the Ziggurat of Ur was built for the moon goddess Nanna. While the pyramid in Giza is 481 feet, the Ziggurat of Ur stands over 100 feet.

Although religion is close in comparison in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, they contain many differences. Both civilizations were polytheistic, which is the belief in many gods. Religion was a significant influence in everyday life in both Egypt and Mesopotamia. The contrasting societies also believed that gods controlled the phenomena the occurred around them, for example, weather, food production, and the rivers rising. While both civilizations are similar in many ways, they also differ in some aspects. Egyptian people viewed their gods as generous and devoted to humanity; the gods were helpful and courteous. However, Mesopotamian people viewed their gods as destructive and unpredictable.

While Egypt and Mesopotamia had many successes, they were inevitable to decline. There were many reasons for the deterioration of Egypt and Mesopotamia, some of them being war, climate change, and irrigation mistakes. The reason for Egypt’s decline was because of climate change and famine. Cold and dry weather affected Egypt for an estimated 100 years. The low rainfall weather caused the Nile to fall, which was the main source of food and water, leading to famine. On the contrary, Mesopotamian irrigation techniques and constant war lead to their destruction. Over time the once useful irrigation system created a toxic salt that poisoned crops. Also, Mesopotamia was constantly attacked by neighboring enemies, For example, the Assyrians.

Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia compare and contrast using aspects like accomplishments, religion, and reasons for decline. The two contrasting cultures designed complex temples dedicated to their gods, which were huge successes. Both ancient civilizations were polytheistic, but Mesopotamia organized their gods in cities. Although these civilizations were thriving, their rain of success had to come to an end. Egypt’s change of weather was the absolute their downfall creating famine while Mesopotamia was constantly invaded and their irrigation system created a toxic soil.

Work Cited

1. Collapse: Mesopotamia, www.learner.org/exhibits/collapse/mesopotamia.html.
2. The Fall of Ancient Egypt, www.ancient-egypt-online.com/fall-of-ancient-egypt.html.
3. Egypt, “Ancient Religions of, and Mesopotamia.”. “Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.” World Religions Reference Library, Encyclopedia.com, 2018, www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/ancient-religions-egypt-and-mesopotamia.
4. Forman, Werner. “Pyramids at Giza.” Pyramids of Giza | National Geographic, 23 Mar. 2017, www.nationalgeographic.com/archaeology-and-history/archaeology/giza-pyramids/.
5. “Great Ziggurat of Ur.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History Encyclopedia, www.ancient.eu/image/197/great-ziggurat-of-ur/.