We believe this constitutes a "fair use" of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democratic, scientific, social justice, and religious issues, etc. This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which may not be specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The publication of any and all content eg, articles, reports, editorials, commentary, opinions, as well as graphics and or images on this website does not constitute sanction or acquiescence of said content unless specified it is solely for informational purposes. For those who want to understand the History, not just to read it. Although they developed at similar times and in similar locations, they grew to become drastically different within close proximity and time frames to one another, but in drastically different nations. The history of Egypt and Mesopotamia show how geography can affect the progress, direction, and even social life of a civilization. The residents of Mesopotamia seemed to live a more hectic and uncertain life than those of Egypt and the government had direct and immediate control over the lives of the citizens. Nothing of this type was found on the Nile floodplain. Cities were more centralized and compact, with winding streets and multi-floored residential housing. The flooding of the rivers was sporadic and deemed the anger of the gods manifest. In Mesopotamia the atmosphere was different. As a result, the people of Egypt were more relaxed and seemed to have an easiness about them as the Nile faithfully brought them abundance. Likewise they spread out along the river and government was decentralized as one moved further from the capital. Due to the predictable seasonal flooding of the Nile, the farmers in Egypt welcomed the event. There were differences as to the role of nature between Egypt and Mesopotamia. However, unlike village life, which promoted conformity, large cities promoted new styles and technologies, and culture developed as a result. Relationships became compartmentalized and partial. Now you spoke with someone only as an interaction requiring services or goods. No more did everyone know everyone intimately as in the pastoral village. And with the new interactions among different cultures of the ancient world came tolerances and variety, as well as misunderstandings and violence. Writing and the advent of currencies helped to promote business and education. Society was made more complex by the development of trade, which naturally led to diplomacy between nations. Stability and security ensued for those with an armed force that could protect the borders. Eventually the police diversified to a military force for protection against rival nations. Priests exercised various levels of control in the small and large cities where they resided and theology frequently guided political thought.Īs the kings and priests wished to exert authority, internal policing units were created to enforce the laws of the authority figure. With specialized diversity allowing various roles to be developed in the community, religion became a powerful culture all its own. The founders of new settlements eventually became kings of nations. Wheeled carts, sailboats, the smelting of metal, irrigation, and calendars all contributed to the stability required by agrarian life in small communities. Soon they would learn to stray even less with the advent of agriculture and the constant care required by it. Both civilizations followed a similar pattern in their origins, but diverged as they became more complex.ĭomestication of animals was crucial in taking wandering nomads and rooting them to one spot. Part of these differences was due to geography, part was due to law codes, and part was due to social structure and government. Egypt and Mesopotamia developed within close proximity and time frames to one another, but in drastically different ways.
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