Ancient Civilizations: Egypt and Mesopotamia

Ancient Egyptian Civilization

Location: The Egyptian civilization developed between the deserts surrounding the fertile and narrow plain of the Nile River.

Political Organization

Their political organization was a state where the Pharaoh held absolute power over men in all lands. He was a symbol of unity, an interpreter of the divine, and a protector. He was considered a peacemaker and the son of Osiris.

Economic Activities

Economic activities included agriculture and livestock. They cultivated wheat and barley. Livestock consisted of cattle, donkeys, and poultry; they also used to hunt animals.

Religion and the Afterlife

Regarding religion, they thought what they did in this life would affect them in the afterlife. They believed they would be judged by the god Osiris in person, but required their bodies to be preserved and have a proper funeral.

Major Contributions

• The 365-day calendar
• Hieroglyphic and Demotic writing
• Illumination inside their pyramids
• Embalming techniques

Social Organization

The social hierarchy consisted of:

• The Pharaoh and his family
• Priests, senior civilians, and military officials
• Scribes, farmers, and artisans
• Slaves at the bottom

Everyday Life

This refers to people in poverty who almost always fed on wheat and barley crackers, fish, and onions. On holidays, they ate meat and fruit.

Mesopotamian Civilization

Location: Located on an alluvial plain between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in what is now known as Iraq.

Evolution of the Empire

It was known as a great civilization with the help of leaders like Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar II, kings who brought prosperity to the city.

Political Organization

It was a theocratic monarchy where the king represented divinity. The king ordered every temple and ran the economy, while administrative matters were handled by priests.

Economic Activity

They engaged in foreign trade and also relied on farming and handicrafts.

Social Organization

• The king and his family
• Military leaders and priests
• Artisans and peasants
• Slaves

Religion and Beliefs

They possessed a pessimistic warrior mentality and a fear of their gods. They believed that their current actions would not bring them problems in the afterlife, as they were more attached to the mundane world.

Scientific and Legal Contributions

• The horoscope
• Multiplication and division
• The circumference of 360 degrees
• Time measurement (60 minutes in an hour, 60 seconds in a minute)
• The Code of Hammurabi ("An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth")