ipl-logo

Comparing The Afterlife In Mesopotamian And Egyptian Societies

573 Words3 Pages

Despite a steady trading relationship, Mesopotamian and Egyptian societies have very dissimilar views on life and the afterlife. Indeed, Mesopotamian civilization certainly had much stricter views of life and the afterlife. This is likely a reflection of the frequent nature of wars and violence in this highly urbanized society (83). As a result, their views of the fragility of their mortality seemed to be pessimistically realistic. They seemed to accept that their gods gave them this life and nothing else. In the excerpt from the Epic of Gilgamesh, a quote that summarizes their views on mortal life nicely is “… for this too is the lot of man” (94). Which basically means that this is just the way the gods meant for mortals to live. To be mortal …show more content…

Indeed, the Egyptians believes on the afterlife was very extensive. They believed a just life had to be lead in order to be accepted into the afterlife (99). This is shown in an excerpt of their Book of the Dead which contained spells that were meant to assist the journey to the afterlife. In the excerpt contained a passage the deceased was supposed to recite to the gods to prove their worthiness of eternal life. One phrase that summarizes the overall message of the passage is “I am pure” (99). This is an important phrase because the afterlife was otherwise known as the Land of the West, which you were only granted access to if you proved to the gods you lived a just life. The court before the gods was known as the Day of Judgement, which even the kings were said to have to face (84). However, this wasn’t a day to be feared by people. Instead people viewed this as positive journey to eternal life. An excerpt from a prayer inscribed in the tomb Egyptian King Teti reflects this, “… Rise up, O Teti, you shall not die!” (98). Eternal life was a valued and celebrated occurrence in the Egyptian society. This reflects their views on life as well. In Egyptian culture, to become a scribe offers the chance of going upward in class rank (101). The chance to better yourself in society seemed to give their civilizations a stronger feeling of hope for life. Although Mesopotamian and

Show More
Related
265 Words | 2 Pages

The Mesopotamian and Hebrew societies lived in two very distinct sphere of influence, as they were Polytheist and monotheist, respectably. This difference ensured that each society would operate using different methods. The Gods ruling over the Mesopotamian people were extremely negative toward their subjects. Each group of Mesopotamians from the Sumerians to the Babylonians had different names for their gods; however, the gods operated in similar roles. Mesopotamian gods acted with the same feelings, attitudes, and dispositions as humans.

Read More
128 Words | 1 Pages

Mesopotamia was a successful civilization because of it 's farming. I know this beause If they weren 't successful in farming, they couldn 't build up theire civilization. The text stated that the two rivers would bring in silt, which made rich farming land. This in turn, made them need less farmers, so people got other jobs.

Read More
326 Words | 2 Pages

Mesopotamia is one of the earliest civilizations in the world; hence it is called the cradle of civilization. Located between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates, Mesopotamia is the perfect word for this region since Mesopotamia also means the land between rivers. These two rivers created the Fertile Crescent which was surrounded by barren territories. People in this area gave up hunting and gathering and instead slowly shifted into agricultural means of getting food to help them survive. They started domesticating animals and planted their own crops.

Read More
363 Words | 2 Pages

Mummification was a very important part of the ancient egyptians religion. Mummification is a process in which the skin and flesh of a corpse can be preserved. The reason why the ancient egyptians thought this was so important was because it was supposed to help them get to the afterlife. A man named herodotus visited Egypt in ancient times, he watched the mummification process and wrote the only eye witness account on record. “ In the best treatment, first of all they would take out the brains through the nostrils with an iron hook.

Read More
172 Words | 1 Pages

even when they die they revere them selves by build the Pyramids. Mesopotamian build the Ziggurat to be temple. Pharaohs(Egyptian) were revere themselves, they claim Godhead. To be a God or holy person you must build something unique to your self,

Read More
491 Words | 2 Pages

Between foundation establishment of Egyptian and Chinese religion, there are a variety of differences such as beliefs and rituals. However despite their contrast, there is also known similarities of the two civilization’s religion discovered through the evolution of time. In comparison both civilizations were dependent upon the religious moral values implemented by a their divine being, bodily preservation, and the belief of Afterlife immortality. Both Egyptians and the Chinese believed equally as modern day Christians that there’s an afterlife for the deceased.

Read More
753 Words | 4 Pages

If their soul is lighter than a feather than they will be allowed to pass into the Field of Reeds. Many Egyptians did not fear death though. They prayed to certain gods to

Read More
266 Words | 2 Pages

An example of Egyptians valuing death/ and afterlife is that they made pyramids for their Pharaohs when they die and mummified them for the after life. In the article, “Tombs” it said, “These monumental pyramids built for the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure housed the royal mummies and their worldly effects thought to protect and be used by the kings in their afterlife,” (Staff ). The Egyptians had many beliefs about afterlife. They believed that when you die a part your soul continues on, so they built pyramids to protect the Pharaoh and other royals. They also used mummification to harness their body.

Read More
564 Words | 3 Pages

This quotation is significant because it represents Socrates’ ideas about death. He believes that fearing the unknown is unreasonable because we don’t know what happens after death. Socrates also believes that “being dead is one of two things” (Socrates 58); either you feel nothing at all or it is a “journey from here to another place” (Socrates 59). Fearing something we don’t now is not going to get us anywhere except limit our potential. Although, death is a frightful concept, it might also be a good thing.

Read More
1627 Words | 7 Pages

Religion played an important role in civilization as government laws and divine kingship derived from it. Both civilizations were quite similar, but acquired some differences unique to each civilization. These differences include the environment, divine kingship, and sense of security from either nature or law. The idea and practices of ancient Mesopotamia originated from the Sumerians. Moreover, both Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilization diffused their practices and ideas to other ancient civilizations like the Hebrews and the Greeks.

Read More
197 Words | 1 Pages

The ancient Greeks believed very strongly in fate. One idea that they supported was that a person 's life and destiny was determined before they came to the world and that the future was inevitable. Moreover, "fortune tellers" called oracles were hired to tell a person 's future and predict their fate. The ancient Greeks did believe in an afterlife as well, known as Hades. After someone died, they were transported to the Underworld that was ruled by the god Hades.

Read More
133 Words | 1 Pages

Thesis Statement: Mesopotamians and Hebrews are depicted as very different when it comes to religious beliefs, but actually seem to have many similarities in many ways and has led to many of their laws and social stratification correlating. Topic Sentence 1: Since the ancient Hebrews were Monotheistic and the Mesopotamians were Polytheistic, they are naturally assumed to be completely unlike each other; that is simply not the case with these specific civilizations. Topic Sentence 2: The Gods or God in both the Polytheistic and Monotheistic religions have similar traits, but the beliefs of the civilians in both cultures can be viewed as different.

Read More
711 Words | 3 Pages

The whole notion of going through all sorts of hardships and perils to achieve eternal life signifies a hero’s fear of death. The famous hero of Greek mythology, Achilles, is said to be invincible since his mother dipped him in the River of Styx, but he still failed to survive when the Trojan prince shot him in his heel. It goes to show that no matter how strong, wise and powerful a hero is, he or she cannot escape the inevitable knocking of death. But in order to get the desired immortal life, a hero must first prove that he or she is worthy to gain such privilege.

Read More
1021 Words | 5 Pages

People of Ancient Mesopotamia viewed their gods as being unreliable like their rivers. Life was likely better for Egyptians during this period because they did not have to worry as much about survival, whereas peoples

Read More
1067 Words | 5 Pages

Yet it holds the same human experiences, same human emotions, and same human ambitions. It holds the same sentiments we hold dear today, such as life and friendship in utmost importance. It speaks of human ambition to be remembered and to live forever, that can be found even up to this day. Gilgamesh attributed his immortality with enduring monuments, such as the city of Uruk, modern day individuals, in the same manner, attribute their immortality with the name they made for themselves. The truth of society, how nature works, and how human beings relate with each other, and how man’s actions can influence other things, are greatly intertwined.

Read More

More about Comparing The Afterlife In Mesopotamian And Egyptian Societies

Related Topics

Open Document