Ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian Cultures Essay Example

as opposed to Egypt where the land was rich in stones for construction. In Mesopotamia, simple homes were made by binding bundles of reeds together, while more complex structures were constructed using sun-dried clay bricks. Their famous ziggurats, temples, and cities were also built with oven-baked and painted clay bricks. Both cultures developed along rivers to adapt to the harsh desert climate and shared strong beliefs in their leaders, complex religious beliefs, well-written languages, and impressive architectural designs. However, the differences between these two cultures stemmed from variations in geography, prior beliefs, and exposure to external influences and invasions. These two cultures have left lasting influences on the world in various ways.

The modern construction methods, including the use of steel, power glue, and concrete, have been influenced by the architectural designs of ancient Egypt. Similarly, the 24-hour system, 12-month year, and four-week month that astronomers in ancient Egypt originally devised are still widely used today. Likewise, circumcision, which initially served hygienic purposes in ancient Egypt, is now practiced in various regions worldwide. Agricultural practices also incorporate irrigation techniques similar to those employed in ancient Mesopotamia. Additionally, there has been significant widespread adoption of geometry and other customs from ancient Egypt.

A Comparison between Ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt

Geography:

• Ancient Mesopotamia was located between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates.
• Ancient Egypt was situated alongside the river Nile.

Architectural designs:

• Construction in Ancient Mesopotamia involved using soil and reeds.
• Construction in Ancient Egypt utilized stones.

Further Comparisons between Ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt

Agriculture:

• Artificial irrigation was practiced along the rivers Tigris and Euphrates in ancient Mesopotamia.
• Artifical irrigation was also carried out along the river Nile in ancient Egypt.

Social hierarchy:

Both societies had a noble class.

• In ancient Mesopotamia, there were specialized patriarchal slaves who engaged in various tasks such as pottery, leather making, brick-making, stone cutting, textile production, and woodwork.

Religion:

The religion of ancient Mesopotamians included gods and goddesses like Ishtar. In contrast,the religion of ancient Egyptians incorporated deities such as Amon, Ra,;and Osiris.