Civilization in Egypt and Mesopotamia

Civilization in Egypt and Mesopotamia

Civilization in Egypt and Mesopotamia had many differences and similarities in their political, social, economic, and religious aspects. The geographical location between the two is similar in that they were both surrounded by rivers. However, it can be contrasted that Egypt was around the river Nile, while Mesopotamia was placed between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The similarities in politics are that a government ruled both Egypt and Mesopotamia with one main ruler. However, they contrasted in that Egypt’s government was centralized to have only a king, Pharaoh, at the top leadership. At the same time, that of Mesopotamia involved a king and priests at the top leadership levels. In the religious aspect, both Egypt and Mesopotamia were religious, where they believed in polytheism. The religious systems in both countries helped in blending political elements with spiritual elements through theocracy. Egyptians believed in gods and goddesses as their supreme religious leaders, whereby Pharaoh was seen as a link between humanity and those gods. However, the difference brings itself in the belief on the nature of the gods; in Mesopotamia, the gods were destructive and could cause calamities and natural disasters. Therefore, gods needed to be pleased by priests to avoid their unpredictable anger from punishing the people. However, the Egyptians believed that their gods were peaceful and that believed that their country was created as a refuge of good and order by the gods because they experienced less destructive natural calamities.

Socially, Egyptians had a social structure that equated both men and women in the quest for power. On the other side, Women were seen as subjects to men in Mesopotamia, and they were forced Into marriages without their consent. The practice is unlike in Egypt, where some women were allowed to acquire higher positions of impact in society.