Relationship between Mesopotamia and Egypt

A compare and contrast slide show between these two civilizations and others in the immediate area.

1. Relationship between Relationship between
Mesopotamia and EgyptMesopotamia and Egypt
By: Amy TsaiBy: Amy Tsai
for Mr. Haskvitzfor Mr. Haskvitz

2. Religion in Ancient Egypt
To the Ancient Egyptians, religion was very important which influenced their traditions
One of the most important religion was Divine Kingship
Divine Kingship- a belief that the Pharaoh is not only the king but also a god. The Pharaoh was
believe to be Horus, son of Re the sun god, who later became Osiris, king in the after life.
Ancient Egyptians were polytheistic- believed in many gods
Only monotheistic during Pharaoh Akhenaton’s rule which only worshiped Aten
 believed in 700 gods and goddesses like Horus, Osiris, Isis, Anubis, Ra, Seth, and more.
Their religion was later mixed with the Greeks, Romans and lastly Islam.
As these groups gain control In Egypt, they also mixed their religion with Egyptians

3. Mummification and the afterlife
Because Ancient Egyptians believed in afterlife,
they believe that afterlife is just like this world and
they would need everything they have right now
including the materials and tools for their jobs and
their bodies and food.
Egyptians preserve their bodies so they would look
the same in the afterlife. They use mummification to
prevent the body from being rotten.
The cutter would first take out all the organs and puts
them in different jars, and use a long tube stick in
through the nose to get the brain out. Then the cutter
throws the brain away because it is believed useless
and meaningless.
The embalmer then would use salt to preserve the
body and wrap it up and put the body in a sarcophagus.
The more wealthy this person is the more pretty its
sarcophagus is going to be.
All of the process of mummification is being oversee by
scribes.
Tombs and pyramids were build for people that
could afford it. Pharaohs often built big, golden
pyramids with secret passages inside to trap the
thieves that tries to steal it’s possessions.
Gold , food, models of houses, boats, farms, and
animals were included inside of tombs and pyramids
preparing for their afterlife.
King Tut’s tomb was one of the well preserved mummies
.

4. Religion in MesopotamiaReligion in Mesopotamia

Like the Ancient Egyptians, Mesopotamian were also polytheistic and believed in many gods and goddesses. Like the Ancient Egyptians, Mesopotamian were also polytheistic and believed in many gods and goddesses.

Gods and goddesses acted just like people and has supernatural powers. Gods and goddesses acted just like people and has supernatural powers.

Does, feels, and eats what people does, feels, and eatsDoes, feels, and eats what people does, feels, and eats

Sumerians look to their religion to answer all of their questions about life and death, good and evil, and forces of Sumerians look to their religion to answer all of their questions about life and death, good and evil, and forces of
nature. nature.

There are four major gods believed by the Sumerians (Mesopotamians) that created and controlled the There are four major gods believed by the Sumerians (Mesopotamians) that created and controlled the
universe. universe.

An god of heaven, Enlil was the air-god, Enki was the water-god, and Ninhursag was the mother earth- An god of heaven, Enlil was the air-god, Enki was the water-god, and Ninhursag was the mother earth-
goddess. goddess.

5. ZIGGURATSZIGGURATS

Each city was controlled by their own Each city was controlled by their own
patron god or goddesses that controls patron god or goddesses that controls
everything. everything.

People make prayers, sacrifices, and People make prayers, sacrifices, and
sing hymns in zigguratssing hymns in ziggurats

Ziggurats were temple towers that has Ziggurats were temple towers that has
a shape of a pyramid similar to Egypt’s a shape of a pyramid similar to Egypt’s
pyramids. pyramids.

the center of both religion and the center of both religion and
learning for the entire community learning for the entire community

temples connected heaven and temples connected heaven and
earth earth

Like the Egyptians, Mesopotamians Like the Egyptians, Mesopotamians
believed that gods and goddess brings and believed that gods and goddess brings and
cause disasters or wealth to the cities.cause disasters or wealth to the cities.

Floods, illness, good health Floods, illness, good health

Believed that pleasing gods brings success Believed that pleasing gods brings success

6. Social Orders in Egypt

The social pyramid in Egypt shows:

–Pharaoh, Government Officials (nobles, priests) ,
soldiers, scribes, merchants, artisans, farmers,
slaves and servants.
Pharaoh appoints vizier to collect
taxes
–They were chief ministers
Scribes work with Vizier to keep
government records.
– These high employees knew how to read and
write.
Nobles could hold government
posts and got wealthy from
donations to god from the people
Priests were responsible in pleasing
the gods
Soldiers fought in wars and supervise
the workers that builds the pyramids.
Skilled workers make up the middle
class .(physicians and craftspeople )
Craftspeople made and sold goods
Merchants trade and sold goods to
public
Slaves and servants did all the dirty work
like cleaning toilets and building
structure. These people are mostly
captured in wars.

7. Social Orders in Mesopotamia
King always on top of social pyramids or hierarchy
Like the Egyptians, the Priests in Mesopotamia were just as important as the
king.
High level in social hierarchy
Right below the king
Performed religious ceremonies
People rely to earn gods’ favor
Tells people what god wish them to do
Skilled craftspeople, merchants, and traders
Trade great impact on Sumerian society
Travels many places
Exchange goods
Farmers and laborer
Large working class
Slaves bottom of the social order

8. Political Orders in EgyptPolitical Orders in Egypt
►Political system base on :Political system base on :
Believing Pharaoh both king and Believing Pharaoh both king and
god (Divine Kingship)god (Divine Kingship)
Pharaoh absolute power over all Pharaoh absolute power over all
peoplepeople
►people believed that pharaoh came people believed that pharaoh came
down from heaven to rule Egyptdown from heaven to rule Egypt
Pharaoh many responsibilities Pharaoh many responsibilities
►Blamed when corps not grow, or Blamed when corps not grow, or
disease struckdisease struck
►Made all laws Made all laws
Nobles help run government and Nobles help run government and
templestemples
People demanded pharaoh make People demanded pharaoh make
trade profitable and prevent warstrade profitable and prevent wars

9. Political Orders in MesopotamiaPolitical Orders in Mesopotamia
►MenMen::
Political powerPolitical power
Made lawsMade laws
Got educationGot education
►City-statesCity-states
Depended on military Depended on military
►Stronger, controlled larger areasStronger, controlled larger areas
►Fought for farm landsFought for farm lands
Made strong armiesMade strong armies
►Gain and lost power over timeGain and lost power over time
Kish strong city-state in 3500BCKish strong city-state in 3500BC
Uruk and Ur fought for power Uruk and Ur fought for power
around 4500BCaround 4500BC

10. Thank you !Thank you !
In conclusion, the religion, social, and In conclusion, the religion, social, and
political orders in Egypt and Mesopotamia political orders in Egypt and Mesopotamia
were based on their believes in their gods were based on their believes in their gods
and goddesses. and goddesses.