Dennise Dellota
Jennifer Huynh
Kenya Johnson
Leslie Nguyen
Indus River Valley Civilizations
Many absolute differences have their similarities. Different civilizations include China, Indus River Valley, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. Certain aspects of these civilizations either contradict one another or compare to each other. Some may have invented a new form of writing, others may have discovered a new resources and their many purposes for it. These civilizations created new experiences and left trademarks on history; however not all many have accomplished or achieved the same goal. Similarities and differences varies from their political systems, cultures, and religious developments. All civilizations are alike because all influenced the way that we live our modern lives today.
In the China, Indus River Valley, Egypt, and Mesopotamia civilizations religion were all polytheistic, this means that they believed and worshiped more than one god. They believed that these gods were a sign of whether they would live in good or bad fortune. Since their government and religion system affected one another, their government system was based on their religious practices. These religions have so many similarities, yet many differences as well. For instance, China was not very spiritual compared to the other three civilizations. This was because China didn’t focus on the importance of religion or spirituality, instead they highlighted their philosophies and governed their civilization around their philosophy. There was one main god that was responsible for creating the world in both Mesopotamia and the Indus River Valley civilization. While Egypt and China did not have supreme or main gods.
For all the regions, Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and the Indus River Valley civilization, they had a social system that depended on a hierarchy. The social class had their rulers (King / Queen / Emperor / Pharaoh), religious leaders, government officials, and writers at the top of their social class system. These high classes were viewed as the “elite upper class”, had more money ,more luxurious, and fancy lives compared to the rest of the civilizations. The next class was the working class. They were composed of farmers, merchants, and artisans. They live their lives by working on their farms or selling. The lower class were made up of servants and slaves that were usually viewed as a social outcast. They barely had any rights in all the civilizations. How women were treated and what the working class citizens was what made their social structures different. In Mesopotamia and Egypt, women were treated equally and were allowed to get jobs so there was gender equality. China and Indus River didn’t give women equal rights or opportunities. In Egypt, China, and the Indus River, people were allowed to seek an education whereas in Mesopotamia; the elite were usually the only ones who could read and write. The Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and Indus River have a writing practices to record and practice religious scripts. Furthermore, Mesopotamia and China used pictograms as one of the earliest writings for communication between the people and religious writings. Eventually the Mesopotamian developed Cuneiform which was in Sumerian language. On the contrary, China established the Oracle bones for the divination of the future events and religious scripts during the Shang Dynasty. Nevertheless, Egypt developed hieroglyphics for the religious scripts. Moreover, it changed into making symbols to write about the people’s lives. In contrast, the Indus River used seals to record their economy because these seals were symbols of animals.
All four civilizations were governed by a monarch. The civilizations were ruled by a King or Queen which they believed had some sort of connection with their gods. The civilizations believed that their ruler was selected to carry out the rules of their gods. Another important leader in the civilizations were their religious leaders or priests. They were among the elite because they could communicate with the gods. Kings, priest, and other government officials were responsible for creating laws that would please the gods. The main differences between the four colonies were how the government power was divided. In Mesopotamia, China, and Indus River, the civilizations were divided into state like provinces. Each province was governed by a government official placed there to enforce the laws. Unlike the other three civilizations, Egypt didn’t split their civilization into smaller colonies, but instead focused on their strong central government. All four of the civilizations believed in creating a laws that reflect their religion/philosophy. Kings, priest, and other government officials were responsible for creating laws that would please the gods.
In conclusion, the four civilizations share a lot of similarities. Each civilization values their religion and tries to incorporate their spirituality into their everyday activities. Laws, and other rules reflect what they believe. All four of the civilizations were also governed by a monarch who had complete control over the land. The civilizations have more similarities than they do differences but it’s important to recognize their differences. Mesopotamia, China, and The Indus Valley, for example, don't establish a strong central government like the ancient Egyptians did. Instead they divided their land and government officials into provinces to better monitor the civilization. These unique differences and similarities help show how each of these civilizations were able to strive and succeed.
Jennifer Huynh
Kenya Johnson
Leslie Nguyen
Indus River Valley Civilizations
Many absolute differences have their similarities. Different civilizations include China, Indus River Valley, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. Certain aspects of these civilizations either contradict one another or compare to each other. Some may have invented a new form of writing, others may have discovered a new resources and their many purposes for it. These civilizations created new experiences and left trademarks on history; however not all many have accomplished or achieved the same goal. Similarities and differences varies from their political systems, cultures, and religious developments. All civilizations are alike because all influenced the way that we live our modern lives today.
In the China, Indus River Valley, Egypt, and Mesopotamia civilizations religion were all polytheistic, this means that they believed and worshiped more than one god. They believed that these gods were a sign of whether they would live in good or bad fortune. Since their government and religion system affected one another, their government system was based on their religious practices. These religions have so many similarities, yet many differences as well. For instance, China was not very spiritual compared to the other three civilizations. This was because China didn’t focus on the importance of religion or spirituality, instead they highlighted their philosophies and governed their civilization around their philosophy. There was one main god that was responsible for creating the world in both Mesopotamia and the Indus River Valley civilization. While Egypt and China did not have supreme or main gods.
For all the regions, Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and the Indus River Valley civilization, they had a social system that depended on a hierarchy. The social class had their rulers (King / Queen / Emperor / Pharaoh), religious leaders, government officials, and writers at the top of their social class system. These high classes were viewed as the “elite upper class”, had more money ,more luxurious, and fancy lives compared to the rest of the civilizations. The next class was the working class. They were composed of farmers, merchants, and artisans. They live their lives by working on their farms or selling. The lower class were made up of servants and slaves that were usually viewed as a social outcast. They barely had any rights in all the civilizations. How women were treated and what the working class citizens was what made their social structures different. In Mesopotamia and Egypt, women were treated equally and were allowed to get jobs so there was gender equality. China and Indus River didn’t give women equal rights or opportunities. In Egypt, China, and the Indus River, people were allowed to seek an education whereas in Mesopotamia; the elite were usually the only ones who could read and write. The Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and Indus River have a writing practices to record and practice religious scripts. Furthermore, Mesopotamia and China used pictograms as one of the earliest writings for communication between the people and religious writings. Eventually the Mesopotamian developed Cuneiform which was in Sumerian language. On the contrary, China established the Oracle bones for the divination of the future events and religious scripts during the Shang Dynasty. Nevertheless, Egypt developed hieroglyphics for the religious scripts. Moreover, it changed into making symbols to write about the people’s lives. In contrast, the Indus River used seals to record their economy because these seals were symbols of animals.
All four civilizations were governed by a monarch. The civilizations were ruled by a King or Queen which they believed had some sort of connection with their gods. The civilizations believed that their ruler was selected to carry out the rules of their gods. Another important leader in the civilizations were their religious leaders or priests. They were among the elite because they could communicate with the gods. Kings, priest, and other government officials were responsible for creating laws that would please the gods. The main differences between the four colonies were how the government power was divided. In Mesopotamia, China, and Indus River, the civilizations were divided into state like provinces. Each province was governed by a government official placed there to enforce the laws. Unlike the other three civilizations, Egypt didn’t split their civilization into smaller colonies, but instead focused on their strong central government. All four of the civilizations believed in creating a laws that reflect their religion/philosophy. Kings, priest, and other government officials were responsible for creating laws that would please the gods.
In conclusion, the four civilizations share a lot of similarities. Each civilization values their religion and tries to incorporate their spirituality into their everyday activities. Laws, and other rules reflect what they believe. All four of the civilizations were also governed by a monarch who had complete control over the land. The civilizations have more similarities than they do differences but it’s important to recognize their differences. Mesopotamia, China, and The Indus Valley, for example, don't establish a strong central government like the ancient Egyptians did. Instead they divided their land and government officials into provinces to better monitor the civilization. These unique differences and similarities help show how each of these civilizations were able to strive and succeed.