How to Write a Counterargument - the Hidden Connections

The Hidden Connections

Throughout human history, there were many important civilizations that helped shape our modern society today, but the most important civilizations were the ones that started it all. Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, and Han China were large empires that were among the first to reach civilization. Many factors contribute to their success such as a strong ruler, religion, efficient government and agriculture.

One of the characteristics of a successful government during the early civilizations includes a strong ruler and utilizing local governments. The governments were able to run efficiently because the people would obey the laws laid out to them and although important decisions were made by the king, there are local governments to enforce these rulings resulting in bureaucracy. For example, Mesopotamia had a sole ruler but smaller governments in city-states implemented theocracy, which meant priests and priestesses were the representatives who aided the king in his reign. Egypt had pharaohs, which was the official term of referring to the single monarch, that overlooked every decision made in the land. With this immense power, their rule is only efficient if they appoint members of aristocracy or priests to act as the governor of each of the 42 provinces and assist the pharaoh. Comparably to Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley exercised theocracy. This meant that power was handed to the religious figures who acted in the name of God. Karma was influential in the way the people lived, they believed that to escape Samara, you must fulfill your duty wholeheartedly with no questions asked to become Brahman. Han China’s emperor made many adjustments to how the Qin Dynasty was ruled. He eliminated the cruel and unusual punishments that existed in Legalistics and shaped the empire into a new philosophy based on Confucius. He held much power but he opt for divisions of the central government consisting of censorate, military and civil service respectively. Also, he developed a local government system that divided the empire into provinces and counties. Unlike Egypt, where aristocracy are appointed for the job, the emperor proposed a system called the Civil Service exams, which tested their knowledge of Confucius, Chinese history and law, that could elevate anyone into a government official.

A powerful drive behind these successful civilizations is religion. Although they don’t all believe in the same one, they all include basic beliefs such as a god(s) and life after death. The people of Mesopotamia were polytheistic, meaning they believed in many gods and goddesses. Mesopotamians believed that all the gods and goddesses originally stemmed from two gods, male and female, who came from fresh and salt water respectively. Their life revolved around satisfying the gods/goddesses as they were inferior to them. Another polytheistic civilization was the Egyptians, they associated