Ancient Egypt and Early China: State, Society, and Culture

The great civilizations of New Kingdom Egypt and Han dynasty China shared similarities such as being centered around major flood-prone rivers, establishing complex hydraulic systems, spreading territories through warfare and diplomacy, and undergoing periods of radical reform. They each developed elaborate conceptions of an afterlife world and created games of fate to facilitate access to these realms. This volume offers an innovative comparison of these two civilizations.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 352 pages
\n Publication date: 17 July 2021
\n Publisher: University of Washington Press
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The great civilizations of New Kingdom Egypt (ca. 1548–1086 BCE) and Han dynasty China (206 BCE–220 CE) shared intriguing similarities, despite existing more than a millennium apart. Both were centered around major flood-prone rivers, the Nile and the Yellow River, and established complex hydraulic systems to harness their power. Both spread their territories across vast empires, controlled through warfare and diplomacy, and experienced periods of radical reform led by charismatic rulers such as the "heretic king" Akhenaten and the vilified reformer Wang Mang. Universal justice was administered through courts, and each empire was administered by bureaucracies staffed by highly trained scribes who held special status. Egypt and China each developed elaborate conceptions of an afterlife world and created games of fate to facilitate access to these realms.

This groundbreaking volume offers an innovative comparison of these two civilizations. Through a combination of textual, art historical, and archaeological analyses, Ancient Egypt and Early China reveals shared structural traits of each civilization as well as distinctive features.

The Nile River, which flows through Egypt, was a vital source of water and fertile land for the ancient Egyptians. They developed a sophisticated irrigation system to channel water from the river to their crops, which enabled them to cultivate a wide variety of crops and sustain a large population. The Egyptians also used the Nile River for transportation, with boats and barges being the primary means of travel.

The Yellow River, which flows through China, was also a significant source of water and land for the Han dynasty. The Chinese developed a complex system of dams, canals, and levees to control the flow of the river and prevent flooding. They also used the Yellow River for transportation, with boats and barges being the primary means of travel.

Both the Egyptians and the Chinese developed complex hydraulic systems to manage their rivers. The Egyptians used a system of canals and dams to control the flow of water and generate electricity. The Chinese used a system of irrigation ditches and reservoirs to distribute water to their crops.

Both the Egyptians and the Chinese spread their territories across vast empires. The Egyptians controlled a large portion of North Africa and the Middle East, while the Chinese controlled a vast area of Asia, including China, India, and Central Asia.

Both the Egyptians and the Chinese experienced periods of radical reform led by charismatic rulers. The Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten, who ruled from 1353 to 1336 BCE, is known for his religious reforms and the construction of the city of Amarna. The Chinese emperor Wang Mang, who ruled from 189 to 192 CE, is known for his efforts to reform the Chinese government and promote social justice.

Both the Egyptians and the Chinese developed elaborate conceptions of an afterlife world. The Egyptians believed in a realm called the Field of Reeds, where the souls of the dead would live in peace and happiness. The Chinese believed in a realm called the Underworld, where the souls of the dead would be punished or rewarded based on their actions in life.

Both the Egyptians and the Chinese created games of fate to facilitate access to these realms. The Egyptians created a game called the Book of the Dead, which contained instructions for the dead on how to navigate the afterlife. The Chinese created a game called the I Ching, which was used to predict the future and guide decision-making.

In conclusion, the great civilizations of New Kingdom Egypt and Han dynasty China shared intriguing similarities, despite existing more than a millennium apart. Both were centered around major flood-prone rivers, developed complex hydraulic systems to manage their power, spread their territories across vast empires, experienced periods of radical reform led by charismatic rulers, and developed elaborate conceptions of an afterlife world. Both the Egyptians and the Chinese created games of fate to facilitate access to these realms. This groundbreaking volume offers an innovative comparison of these two civilizations, shedding light on their shared structural traits and distinctive features.

\n Weight: 846g\n
Dimension: 186 x 261 x 32 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780295748894\n \n