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