Mesopotamia vs. Ancient Eygpt

Government

• Like Mesopotamia, Egypt had pharaohs.

• Although Mesopotamia had pharaohs, they also followed the Code of Hammurabi.

• Egyptians followed the pharaohs, whereas the Mesopotamians followed the Code of Hammurabi.

• The Egyptians and Mesopotamians both had the same government structure.

Water

• Unlike Egypt, Mesopotamia was near a river.

• Instead of using a river to grow crops, both civilizations lived near the ocean.

• The two civilizations had in common that they started near rivers.

• Egypt was between two rivers, whereas Mesopotamia was near one river.

Agriculture

• Egypt grew crops. Similiarly, Mesopotamia also grew crops.

• Mesopotamia grew crops, while Egypt only hunted animals.

• Even though the civilizations were near water, only Egypt grew crops.

• In the same way, both civilizations milked cows.

Culture

• Mesopotamians had artisans write hieroglyphics too.

• Only the Mesopotamians had apprentices to make beautiful things.

• Unlike Mesopotamians, Egyptians had artisans.

• They had in common that they had artisans to make beautiful things.

Writing

• Egyptians and Mesopotamians both write in cuneiform.

• Instead of using scribes to write, Egyptians used priests to write.

• Egyptians wrote in hieroglyphics, unlike Mesopotamians who wrote in cuneiform.

• Mesopotamians wrote in hieroglyphics. On the other hand, Egyptians wrote in cuneiform.

Rivers

• The Egyptians lived near the Tigris River, similarly to the Mesopotamians.

• The Nile River had a delta, similar to the river of Mesopotamia.

• While there were many floods in Egypt, Mesopotamia only had drought.

• Both civilizations have in common that there were floods near the rivers.

Pyramids

• Like the Mesopotamians, pyramids were the cultural center of Egyptian civilization.

• Only priests were allowed in Mesopotamian pyramids, called ziggurats, whereas anyone could go into an Egyptian pyramid.

• Pharaohs were buried in Egyptian pyramids, contrary to Mesopotamian rulers.

• Both civilizations had in common that ziggurats were used for religion.

Dynasties

• Both civilizations ruled through dynasties.

• The Egyptians killed family members to rule whereas Mesopotamians married to rule.

• The Egyptians married family members to maintain dynasties unlike the Mesopotamians

• Like the Mesopotamians, Egyptains used dynasties to rule.

Mummies

• The mummies of Egypt were like the mummies of Mesopotamian.

• Egyptians buried their pharaohs as mummies instead of burying them in the ground.

• Mesopotamians placed mummies in ziggurats. On the other hand, Egyptians placed mummies in pyramids.

• Both civilizations made their leaders into mummies after death.