Description
Guided Response: Respond to two or more of your classmates’ posts by Day 7. Your responses should be substantive, at least 150 words, and provide comments and questions that further the conversation. Compare the themes and societies you chose with those chosen by your classmates. What different observations did your classmates make about how specific themes are expressed in different areas of those societies? Have your peers shared any observations that have helped you to understand better how ancient societies expressed the human experience?
Jessica Lanning
ThursdayDec 14 at 6:30pm
Good Afternoon Everyone,
The two civilizations I chose were Ancient China and Ancient Egypt.
Ancient Chinas governance was once ruled under competing dynasties against other regions. When one of the dynasties became dominant, the king from that dynasty became the emperor. This led the Chinese government to be monarchy which were lead by males of the ruling dynasty. They believed that they were a blessing to the people which was given to them by celestial gods.
Ancient Egypt’s governance was a theocratic monarchy ruled by a king selected from the gods. It was initially supposed to represent the gods will through the laws passed and policies approved. Shortly after Egypt was divided into kingdoms while those who chose not to have a government were called intermediate periods. This changed slightly over the years and soon became ruled by a king with government officials, laws, and bureaucracy was implemented.
The art of Ancient China was influenced by developments with clay and stone. They used art to make pieces for cooking and even weapons. They would often decorate it with symbolic geometric symbols expressing their worship practices and depicted nature. They used art to capture the life they valued and express the individuals good character. In Ancient China good music was believed to create good morals. It is believed that music addressed social and political issues. There was even a theory that a ruler could cultivate his subjects by having them listen to proper music. A well governed kingdom would create peaceful music filled with joy.
The art of Ancient Egypt was magical and had the power to maintain universal order. Tomb art was used to be seen only by the gods and was used as a point of contact between the living and the dead. It was believed that all Egyptians whether rich or poor would complete earthly life and successfully navigate the dangerous underworlds and be blessed. The human figures in tomb art was intended to serve as a sign for “human”. The colors they used were seen as a kind of universal language to communicate with the gods. Music in ancient Egypt was used as a communion with the gods and were the human response to all the experiences of the human condition. Music also helped with the disappointments of losses in life. Music was played during wars, and religious processions because it was so highly valued in their culture.
Both civilizations had similar governments where power was concentrated by a supreme ruler. Both societies believed in the concept of divine rule, where the ruler was seen as a representative of the gods. Ancient Egypt caught my attention the most because of the way they communicated with the gods throug
COLLAPSE SUBDISCUSSIONCourtland Smith
Courtland Smith
ThursdayDec 14 at 7:40pm
Hello Class,
The two civilizations, I choose to compare are Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt both civilizations have rich histories, but they had distinct differences in terms of gender roles and relationships. In ancient Mesopotamia, gender roles were defined by societal norms. Men were largely engaged in agricultural and economic activities, while women managed domestic affairs. However, there were some instances when women engaged in trade or worked in different professions. Families were often patriarchal with the eldest male being the head of the family.
In Ancient Egypt, gender roles were largely influenced by cultural, religious, and economic factors. Like Mesopotamia this society was generally patriarchal, with men holding primary roles in politics, and religion. However, women held significant roles based on status depending on factors like social class and individual circumstances. Women who held a more elite status might have had more opportunities and rights compared to their counterparts in lower classes.
The family structure in both societies valued family, in Ancient Egypt, there was a strong emphasis on the family unit. Mesopotamia tended to have a more explicit and rigid division of gender roles, and that was based on legal codes, whereas in Ancient Egypt women could be in positions of authority.
The theme of law and rulership in Mesopotamia were represented by their legal codes. The most well-known of these codes is the Code of Ur-Nammu, one of the earliest known legal codes. Attributed to the Sumerian king Ur-Nammu, it covers various aspects of life, including family matters, property, and criminal offenses. In Ancient Egypt law was closely tied to the concept of Ma’at and Divine Justice. ma’at was a fundamental principle that governed both cosmic order and human behavior. Pharaohs were considered the guardians of ma’at and were responsible for maintaining justice and order in society.
There was a holistic approach to justice that encompassed human laws but also comic balance in ancient Egypt. While in Mesopotamia, the principles of justice were deeply ingrained in Egyptian society, contributing to the stability and continuity of their civilization.
Fiero, Gloria K. Landmarks in Humanities. Fifth Edition ed., McGraw Hill, 2021
