Question

1)Why do you think Mesopotamia is typically discussed first in a course such as this? (Western Civilization)

2)What are some of the differences between Mesopotamia and Egypt. What are some of the similarities between the two?

3)Why do you suppose Mesopotamia was unable to sustain its civilzation and build itself into a power like Greece, Rome or Egypt?

Each question should be as close to a third of the page as possible for a total of one page.  

Answer 1

1) The Mesopotamian Civilisation was developed between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates . It was the world's first civilization hence it is typically discussed first .

2) Differences between Mesopotamia and Egypt :

• Mesopotamia was developed between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates . Egypt was developed along with Nile River .
• Mesopotamia was in a central area hence was easy to get attacked by the enemies . Whereas Egypt had high mountains and desert and hence had almost no chance of getting attacked .
• In Mesopotamia , the officials were chosen on the basis of heritage . Whereas in Egypt the officials were chosen on the basis of merit .
• Politically , Mesopotamia was decentralized and Egypt was centralized .

Similarities between Mesopotamia and Egypt :

• Mesopotamia and Egypt both believed in polytheistic approach that is belief in multiple gods and goddesses.
• Both were located in the river valleys .
• Both had similar social structures .

Mesopotamia could not sustain its civilization and build itself into a power like Greece , Egypt because :

Cyrus II took Bbylon and then Mesopotamia became the part of Persian Empire . This was the time when mesopotamia civilisation started declining . Later the last area of Mesopotamia was taken by the muslim arabs which led to following of Islam and the Mesopotamia civilisation ended .

There was collapse of Akkadian Empire .

Moreover due to climatic changes in Mesopotamia that is disastrous dust storms led to wping out of Mesopotamia .