COMPARING MESOPOTAMIA AND EGYPT

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

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

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

COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY

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.

Introduction Give some background / characteristics of the civilizations Thesis statement

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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