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Comparing Egypt and Sumer. Location/Geography. Sumer between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers plain area called Mesopotamia unpredictable floods limited natural resources. Ancient Egypt along great Nile River called “Gift of the Nile” cataracts = rapids
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Location/Geography Sumer • between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers • plain area called Mesopotamia • unpredictable floods • limited natural resources Ancient Egypt • along great Nile River • called “Gift of the Nile” • cataracts = rapids • delta: broad, marshy triangular area with deposits of soil
Religion • polytheistic: many gods, about 3,000 • gods were all powerful and immortal, humans were servants • souls of dead went to “land of no return” • kings were gods • pharaohs: god-kings • polytheistic: about 2,000 • Ra = sun • Iris = ideal mother/wife • Orisis = chose afterlife
Writing • Epic of Gilgamesh • epic myth about unsuccessful quest for immortality • crude pictographs • hieroglyphics (sacred carvings) • wrote on dried papyrus
Government/Law • city-states: each city and the surrounding land it controlled • ziggurats at the center, where priests appealed to gods for well-being • warriors had control of armies • dynasties: when rules were from one family • divided into Upper and Lower Egypt • Menes united in 3000 B.C.E. • theocracy: ruler is a divine figure • pharaohs promoted truth and justices
Science/Technology • invented wheel, sail, and plow • first to use bronze • first system of writing: cuneiform • arches, number system base 60, geometry • creation of pyramids from limestone/granite • Mummification (to preserve the dead) • written numbers • medicine and surgery
Social Classes • priests/kings were highest, then merchants, workers, slaves lowest • women had some rights, not education • royal families were highest, then government officials, priest and commanders • below them were the merchants/artisans, and the unskilled laborers • women equal to men
Categorization Strategies • When comparing and contrasting, consider using a few of these categories to help organize your essay and provide a solid comparison. • Political • Economic • Social • Cultural • Intellectual • Religious • Geographic
Essay Scoring Rubric • Topic sentence – introduces the category or point; could be directly from introduction paragraph • Clincher sentence – sums up what you just said and is the main point to take away from that paragraph
Essay Scoring Rubric • Each item listed is 1 point for a total of 18 points. • 17 more points will come from my being able to read your essay, emailing me a copy if it is typed, signing the honor code somewhere on your essay, etc. • Essays will typically be worth 55 points, this first one will only be 35 points.