Several factors connect the link between the Nile River Valley civilization and the Shang and Zhou China civilizations. They are similar due to the structure of their societies and also because of the way they ran their governments. On the contrary, they have their differences probably as a result of the vast distance between the two civilizations and their contrasting environmental conditions. The three central connections between the civilizations are their nearly identical social classes and occupations, their systems of writing, and the power their rulers had over the lower social classes. What sets the civilizations apart is their various religions and different regions.
Nile River Valley Beginning around 2700 B.C., the Nile River Valley …show more content…
The Egyptians had many gods but the highest of them all was Amon-Re, the sun god. The Egyptians believed that this was the chief god. Next in line, were the pharaohs. They were also viewed as gods and they supposedly could communicate with the sun god. Only they could have certain kinds of religious ceremonies with Amon-Re. The Egyptians also believed in Osiris and Isis. Osiris was the god of the Nile River and the ruler of the underworld. He was especially important to the Egyptians because he was in control of the annual flood of the Nile River and the Egyptians’ lives revolved around the Nile. Wife to Osiris, Isis was important to the Egyptian women. Egyptian women believed that Isis was the one who taught the women to grind up corn, spin flax, make cloth, and take care of the children. Together, as rulers of the underworld, Osiris and Isis ensured that the faithful Egyptians would have an afterlife. It was an Egyptian belief that once a person dies, they must pass a test to be granted eternal life. The dead sole would have their heart measured with the feather of truth and if it was proven that they were a sinner, they would be eaten by the Eater of the Dead. If they are judged to be faithful, then they were allowed to go to the Happy Field of Food and there they would reside for all eternity. The Egyptians developed the process of mummification due to the fact that they believed the afterlife was very similar to life on Earth. Because of this belief, the dead were buried with the same essential items that they would need on Earth. Initially, the people of the highest classes were the only ones allowed to be mummified. Over time, the lower classes acquired the right to do the same. Egypt had its own unique system of social classes. Like many social classes of that time, there was a ruler (the pharaoh) and the royal family. These people were above all others. The
Nile River Valley Beginning around 2700 B.C., the Nile River Valley …show more content…
The Egyptians had many gods but the highest of them all was Amon-Re, the sun god. The Egyptians believed that this was the chief god. Next in line, were the pharaohs. They were also viewed as gods and they supposedly could communicate with the sun god. Only they could have certain kinds of religious ceremonies with Amon-Re. The Egyptians also believed in Osiris and Isis. Osiris was the god of the Nile River and the ruler of the underworld. He was especially important to the Egyptians because he was in control of the annual flood of the Nile River and the Egyptians’ lives revolved around the Nile. Wife to Osiris, Isis was important to the Egyptian women. Egyptian women believed that Isis was the one who taught the women to grind up corn, spin flax, make cloth, and take care of the children. Together, as rulers of the underworld, Osiris and Isis ensured that the faithful Egyptians would have an afterlife. It was an Egyptian belief that once a person dies, they must pass a test to be granted eternal life. The dead sole would have their heart measured with the feather of truth and if it was proven that they were a sinner, they would be eaten by the Eater of the Dead. If they are judged to be faithful, then they were allowed to go to the Happy Field of Food and there they would reside for all eternity. The Egyptians developed the process of mummification due to the fact that they believed the afterlife was very similar to life on Earth. Because of this belief, the dead were buried with the same essential items that they would need on Earth. Initially, the people of the highest classes were the only ones allowed to be mummified. Over time, the lower classes acquired the right to do the same. Egypt had its own unique system of social classes. Like many social classes of that time, there was a ruler (the pharaoh) and the royal family. These people were above all others. The