1. A Tale of Two Civilizations
Mesopotamia v. Egypt

2. Mesopotamian Culture Emerged (c. 4000 B.C.E.)- Sumerians (3500)
Bronze, copper based society
Invented:
Wheel, cuneiform (1st form of writing) and a numbering system (based on the number 60)
Epic of Gilgamesh (flood story = quest for immortality)
Advanced agricultural technology (irrigation systems)
Polytheistic (ziggurats-temples)
Clay (primary building material)

3. Egyptian Culture King Menes (c. 3000 B.C.E.)
Bronze age society (from Mesopotamians)
Hieroglyphics (writing system)- papyrus (paper)
Less “urban” than the Mesopotamians
Invented/Utilized: 365 day calendar, medicine, math, and astronomy
Traded with: Mesopotamia and Kush (iron age society of Africa)
Polytheistic
Book of the Dead
Mummification, afterlife, Pyramids

4. Early Writing Systems
Cuneiform
Hieroglyphics

5. The State Mesopotamia Egypt
Nile River (annual, predictable flooding)
Irrigation led to organization/government
Widespread trade amongst agricultural villages
Pharaoh (King- living incarnation of the sun god, Ra)
Geography (natural barriers offered protection form invasion)
Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms
Middle (culturally dynamic- pyramids) – eventually conquered by the Hyksos- warrior based, iron age society)
New (focused on military dominance)
Tigris/Euphrates Rivers (unpredictable flooding)
City-States (controlled city + surrounding areas)
Ur, Uruk
Frequent conflict over water and property rights
Geography (lack of natural barriers)- open to invasion = need for protective walls
Akkadians (Sargon I- world’s first land empire)
Babylonians (Hammurabi- world’s first written code of law)

6. Social Structure Mesopotamia Egypt
Ruled by: wealthy elite, and religious priests
Slaves (agricultural backbone)- could purchase their freedom
Patriarchal (Men could: Sell wives/children to pay debts)
Women could:
Serve on courts, become priestesses and scribes, or own a small business
Wore veils (c B.C.E.)
Social classes (commoners could enter into government service)
Patriarchal
Women could:
Act as a regent for young rulers or priestesses (Cleopatra VII)
Manage household finances/educate children
Divorce husbands/alimony
Own property
Hatshepsut (1st female Egyptian pharaoh)