1. COMPARING MESOPOTAMIA AND EGYPT

2. Similarities
Differences
Mesopotamia
Egypt
Environment and Culture
Dependence on river valleys led to productive agriculture
Religion played an important role and was shaped by geographic setting
Both modified surrounding environment through use of public works (irrigation, dikes)
Unpredictable floods (Tigris and Euphrates)
Open plains (vulnerable to invasion)
Pessimistic/ unfavorable view of gods, eternal life, and world
Negative impact on environment (deforestation, soil erosion, salinization)
Predictable floods (Nile)
Deserts, mountains, seas, cataracts (protection)
Optimistic/ favorable view of world and gods
Mostly sustainable agriculture

3. Similarities
Differences
Mesopotamia
Egypt
Cities and States
Advanced political structures set up; strong kings
Creation of Empires
Divine rule where kings saw themselves receiving authority from gods
City-states in Sumer (more urban)
Wall building for protection against invasions
Political unity was imposed by outside forces (Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians)
Hammurabi’s Code – authority given by sun god
Cities were not as important (more rural)
Not as necessary to have fortified towns because of geography
Began as a unified territory and maintained this for 3,000 years
Egyptian pharaohs were believed to be a god in human form

4. Similarities
Differences
Mesopotamia
Egypt
Interaction and Exchange
Both interacted with each other and with neighbors
Long distance trade
Large networks of commerce, culture, and power
Influenced other cultures
Both influenced Minoans
Received ideas from other cultures
Contacts with Indus River Valley, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan
Influenced Hebrews (laws), Phoenicians (religion, alphabet)
Received idea of chariot from Hittites
Contacts with Nubia and Punt
Influenced Nubia (pyramids, writing, religion)
Received idea of chariot from Hyksos

5. COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY

6. Thesis (Intro) Paragraph
Need to address both political and economic similarities and differences.
Can express this in more than one sentence.
This is the bulk of your introduction.

7. Introduction
Give some background / characteristics of the civilizations
Thesis statement

8. Background
Once existing in modern day North Africa and the Middle East, the Egyptian and Mesopotamian Civilizations were two of the earliest of the ancient world.

9. Thesis Pointers
Great starting/transition words - “While”/ “Despite”/ “Although”/ “However”
Thesis must incorporate all parts of the prompt question and a time period (if given)
A good thesis “lights the way” and provides a travel direction for the rest of the essay

10. Thesis No No’s
YOU CAN NEVER SAY… “THERE WERE MANY SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THESE TWO CIVILIZATIONS”
Thesis must be more specific in stating how they were similar and different

11. Sample Thesis
Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations had many similarities and differences.
NOT ACCEPTED!!!!

12. Sample Thesis
Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations had many similarities and differences in their environment and political structures.
NOT ACCEPTED!!!!

13. Sample Thesis
Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations were similar in that they depended on their physical environments and developed advanced political structures that incorporated religious elements. However, these two civilizations emerged within diverse geographical settings which altered the roles of governmental structures in each area.

14. Body Paragraphs Paragraph 1: Environmental similarities
Paragraph 2: Environmental differences
Paragraph 3: Political similarities
Paragraph 4: Political differences
(Order can be changed)

15. Topic Sentence
Provides an overview of what will be discussed in the paragraph

16. Sample Topic Sentence for Environmental Similarities
Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia both arose in a geographic setting that included a dependence on river valleys.

17. Sample Topic Sentence for Environmental Differences
Despite both civilizations sharing a dependence on river valleys, other geographic features in each area led to major differences between these groups.

18. Sample Topic Sentence for Political Similarities
Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia both developed advanced political structures that used religious themes.

19. Sample Topic Sentence for Political Differences
While both these civilizations developed impressive governments, their exact political arrangement varied.