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Ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian Cultures were the two major western civilizations around the time 4,000-1,000 BC. Many similarities exist between the civilizations of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, as well as many differences. Both Egypt and Mesopotamia were polytheistic, that is, they believed their worlds were ruled by more than one god. Both cultures also believed that they themselves were created for the purpose of serving their gods. Egypt emphasized strong central authority, while
Mesopotamian politics shifted more frequently over a substructure of regional city-states. Both of the civilizations believed in education. The people of Sumer were expected to do what was asked of them and to behave properly while in school. If the pupils were late for school or failed to complete their assignments, they would be beaten with a stick, or caned. The school children of Egypt were advised by their fathers to be men of pride and to listen to their people. Egypt and Mesopotamia’s clothing were mostly made from flax, which they raise and harvest. Egyptians were known for their pyramids which were built for tombs of Pharaohs. Mesopotamians also built ziggurats, a temple dedicated to the city-state’s deities which only priests and priestesses were allowed to enter. Both civilizations had a system of writing. Egyptians carved picture symbols into pieces of slate known as hieroglyphics. Mesopotamians made wedge-shaped markings on wet clay tablets known as the cuneiform.

The Ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians had different theories as to how they came about and why they were created. The Code of Hammurabi is the Mesopotamian written code of law. It is a very complete and specific code of law, which allowed specific punishment for almost every crime that could be committed against the Mesopotamian people. The Egyptians did not have a written form of law even though there is evidence that they did have laws. The civilizations of Ancient Egypt and...