Ancient Mesopotamia & China

Ancient Mesopotamia and China represent two of the early civilizations of the world. Mesopotamia began about 3500-3000BC while China's states were unified around 2200BC. The river valley of the Tigris and Euphrates played a great role in the development of agriculture in Mesopotamia. These rivers were also a source of constant floods. Mesopotamia was greatly urbanized and this led to an atmosphere of violence and discord among cities. In China the desire to restore a unified China led to the creation of an empire by the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties. As was the case in Mesopotamian, economic advancement brought along more sophisticated weapon in China. In both societies, the rules were clear and the punishments were well spelt out. The law code of Hammurabi proposed retaliation for offenses and substandard social behavior by Mesopotamians. China's politics was shaped by Legalism that also spelt out rules and punishments.

In both cultures the kings played a special role of mediator with the gods. China's religion was greatly shaped by Buddhism from India. Overall there seemed to be more peace and prosperity in ancient China. I would rather live in the ancient China because it is was more stable. The Chinese empire did not suffer the kinds of devastating floods experienced in Mesopotamia. The development of writing in ancient China is a reason I would prefer to live there rather than ancient Mesopotamia. The ruler Shihuangdi Qin helped institute standardized measurement, weight and currency system. Literacy, advanced art and science reflect a society that has achieved a level of living that affords citizens the "luxury" of simply enjoying their existence and creating beauty through its written works, arts and crafts. Rather than surviving day by day, I would rather thrive and flourish as a human being.