Contrasting Egyptian and Mesop essays

Contrasting Egyptian and Mesop essays Although some similarities exist, the way the ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians viewed and worshipped their gods were quite different and impacted their daily lives in varying ways. In order to compare the two cultures in a religious sense, the way they lived and dealt with their surroundings must be examined. Life for the ancient Mesopotamians was precarious and day-to-day. The openness of the river valley lead to vulnerability from both raiding tribesmen and the elements. The climate was very harsh, with unpredictable flooding in the spring and at harvest time. There was also rapid evaporation, leading to the need for a reliable irrigation system. There were little natural resources for building purposes (stone and timber), leading to the need for both the establishment of trade routes and alternate building methods. The lifespan of the cities themselves was quite often unpredictable, usually coinciding with the water supply on which it so depended. The cities of Ur, Ashur and Akkad are examples of cities that disappeared without a trace. The Egyptian delta was considered the most abundant oasis in the region in terms of natural resources. Bounded on the eas t and west by desert and on the north the Mediterranean Sea, the region was much more easily defendable than the Mesopotamian river valley. The availability of sandstone and limestone gave plentiful building materials. Papyrus was also readily available for the building of boats, construction of matting and for writing material. The flooding and even the drought seasons fell during the same time frame each year, allowing for planting and harvesting to occur according to a corresponding schedule. The broad, fertile valley leads to easy irrigation and waster conservation. To the Sumerians as seen above, the world would have appeared a harsh and dangerous place. They viewed themselves as the servants of the gods they worshipped, whom could exact their wrath at any time upon ...