Mesopotamia and Egypt

Ancient Civilizations

Egypt Geography

• Nile• Located on the

continent of Africa• Papyrus Plant grows

by the Nile• Great boat builders

and used river for transportation

Mesopotamia Geography

• Tigris and Euphrates rivers

• Fertile Crescent

• On the continent of Asia

• Used the mud by banks for clay tablets

Geography in common

• Both located in the Middle East• Both located by a river…called river

civilizations• Both used the river for farming, trading,

transportation, fishing• Both controlled the flooding of the river with

irrigation

Egypt Government

• Leader is called a pharaoh

• Believed their leader was the living son of a god

• Ruler controlled all parts of life-religion, economy, military, government

• Famous leader: Hatshepsut

Mesopotamia Government

• Leader was called a king

• Believed their leader was a god

• Ruler controlled only the military and government

• Famous leader: Hammurabi

Government in common

• Both had a monarchy type government• Both had rulers connected to religion• Both had laws recorded in writing

Egypt-Culture

• Mummification• Pyramids• Hieroglyphics using

papyrus for paper• Various gods and

goddesses

Mesopotamia Culture

• Ziggurats• Cuneiform on clay

tablets• Invented the wheel• Various gods and

goddesses

Culture in common

• Both were polytheistic• Both had a picture writing system• Both left structures that we can see

today

Big Question

• What are characteristics of ancient civilization?• What do both of these civilizations have in

common?

Answer

• Geography by river – so farming important

• Government• Culture:

– Written language– Religion-polytheism