Mesopotamia and Egypt
Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia were two great civilizations and among the first to appear
after 3000 B.C. in the Middle East and North Africa. Each had its own distinct views on
the social, political, and religious aspects; however, there were many similarities as well.
Through this essay, I will illustrate the differences, as well as the similarities of the
fascinating early civilizations of Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt.
There are both similarities and differences in the religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Both civilizations were centered on religion. In both civilizations religious leaders were
given very high status and held in high regard. Both Egypt and Mesopotamia were
polytheistic, that is, they believed their worlds were ruled by more than one god. Both
civilizations believed that the gods created them. Both cultures also believed that they
themselves were created for the purpose of serving their gods. Both worshipers took their
names from the numerous gods and the cults that honored the deities, and priests in both
religions were no special clothes, and made daily offering in the temples and held annual
festivals open to public. The religion of the two civilizations also differed in key ways. The
idea of death and resurrection for all people, including common people, was possible in
ancient Egypt, but not generally so in Mesopotamian religions. Early on in Egyptian
history, only the king, or pharaoh, could resurrect from the dead and live forever. That is
why the Egyptians mummified their dead. Later, even the common man wanted his body
