Ancient Sumer vs, Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian Cultures Around the time 4,000-1,000 BC there were two major western civilizations. Those civilizations were the Ancient Egyptians and the
Mesopotamians. 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. Their
similarities include the existence of educational systems and codes of law. Their
differences are found partly in those similarities, as well as their medical practices
and their interpretations of the great floods. There are many patterns that are common of
the civilizations of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, which shows that there were some
patterns of development that might be common to early civilizations, but they probably
didn't have very much contact with each other. 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. One story about a Sumerian boy,
who was not doing well in school, tells of the kinds of small things children would be
punished for, such as poor penmanship. This story shows us how common this sort of
discipline was: "Who was in charge of drawing said 'Why when I was not here did you stand
up?' caned me. My teacher said 'Your hand is not good,' caned me." (A Sumerian Schoolboy,
SPV 15). It seams that if they misbehaved at all during school they would be punished by
being by a cane. The school children of Egypt were advised by their fathers to be men of
pride and to listen to their people. The advice that a father gave to his son was very
important, telling that son how to behave to make both... [continues]

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