World History hw essay2 - 2316 Words

Korey Neal Dr. Eric Mayer World History to 1500-51337 February 24, 2015 Rise of Civilizations Egypt and Mesopotamia were two civilizations existing during the time period of 2000-1200 BCE. These civilizations were shaped by their environment, involved with trade, and faced changes in government after the 100 year drought; however, they differed in that Egypt was shaped by the Nile, traded goods for goods and changed their outlook on the pharaoh who was ruler of all; whereas, Mesopotamia was shaped by the Tigris and Euphrates, traded money for goods, and had a ruler over rulers. It is undeniable that the natural environment of ancient Mesopotamia had a profound effect on the earliest civilizations known to the world. Humankind’s ability†¦show more content†¦Wandering groups of people happened to come upon this fertile land. The warm temperatures allowed a permanent civilization to begin. Mesopotamia is a region which has a huge variety of geography combined into one expanse of land. There are rivers, valleys, mountains, floodplains, deserts, and marshes splotch ed around the region. Mesopotamia was known in antiquity as a seat of learning, and it is believed that Thales of Miletus (known as the first philosopher) studied there. As the Babylonians believed that water was the first principle from which all else flowed, and as Thales is famous for that very claim, it seems probable he studied in the region. Intellectual pursuits were highly valued across the region, and the schools (devoted primarily to the priestly class) were said to be as numerous as temples and taught reading, writing, religion, law, medicine, and astrology. Men and women both worked, and because ancient Mesopotamia was fundamentally an agrarian society, the principal occupations were growing crops and raising livestock. Other occupations included those of the scribe, the healer, artisan, weaver, potter, shoemaker, fisherman, teacher, and priest or priestess. The temple, at the center of every city (often on a raised platform), symbolized the importance of the cityâ€℠¢s patron deity who would also be worshipped by whatever communities that city presided over. Mesopotamia gave birth to the