From the Great Wall to the Pyramids

The Great Wall of chinaw be and the Egyptian Pyramids atomic number 18 two Manmake Wonders of the World and belong to two of the oldest civilizations. Ancient Egypt and quaint China both have history that date back all over 4,000 years ago, and though the two civilizations co-existed simultaneously with i a nonher, there were little contact between the two. Yet apart from some underlying differences, there are many similarities between the two cultures as is highlighted when examining the Analects and The Book of the Dead.On the surface, the social behavior and value express in the Analects and The Book of the Dead resemble one another however, upon closer examination it becomes ostensible that the origin and purpose behind the actions different greatly. The purpose of the two literatures contrast delinquent to the lifestyles and beliefs that were held during each of the equal civilizations. Though the texts preach similar set and achieve similar results in terms of human behavior, the factor in that ignited the creation of these two historical pieces differ tremendously.The Analects was written by Confucius, also cognize as Kong Zi, who resided during the Era of Warring State, which was a sub-period of the Eastern cream puff Dynasty. This was a time of disunity and power scramble where the empire was divided into areas controlled feudal lords who desired to expand their land by conquering weaker neighboring states. In the midst of this, philosophies of humanity and nightspot began to blossom, as batch began to grow tiresome of the constant wars and chaos. Confucius emphasizes that, If they riches and honor cannot be obtained in the proper way, they should not be held(p. ). These philosophies flourished as people began wanting reforms towards a harmonious life. Confucianism contri neverthelessed to the downfall of the Zhou Dynasty, claiming in new values and social behaviors to the civilization. The Book of the Dead, on the other hand, formed due to the Egyptians tenseness of the afterlife. The Ancient Egyptian society was centered on the Nile River that provided fertile soil for the Egyptians to be up to(p) to survive. They believed that this gift from the Nile was from the gods when the people found favor with them.To maintain the positive relationship with the Gods, and to insure a hearty afterlife, The Book of the Dead was created as a guide for the dead to pass over to the next life. A contrast can be drawn in what stemmed the creation for each of these texts. The Analects was created to bring about change in the Chinese Civilization while the Book of the Dead was designed to provided the positive relationship Egyptian people had with the Gods. . Though the two texts have varying origins, similar values are emphasized throughout the two historical texts and the civilization as a whole.The Egyptian joint maat is an important term in the Egyptian society and is seen throughout the Book of the Dead. It signifies n ot just truth, but also balance, justice, and order. The people are required live on maat, and feed on maat (p. 3), which further reveals that the peoples life revolve around order and truth. In a similar fashion, Confucius also emphasizes the revolving order of truth, education, and justice. In the Analects, Confucius instructs man to recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness, an obvious dedication to not but justice and equality, but also sympathy.Further, Confucius reinforces that the object of the superior man is truth, not food. Similarly, the same parallel of latitude exists between the justice and equality aspect of the Analects and the maat, the order and truth, found in the Book of the Dead. Thus, the values conveyed in the Book of the Dead, for motivational purposes for a good afterlife, mirror the ones found in the Analects, as the putting surface Chinese civilization also take to heart said values for the benefit of society boilers suit a nd to improve their current circumstances.Therefore, although there is a difference in origin and intention imperishable by such values, it is hard to avoid the fact that the common values and social rules revolving around both civilizations societies virtually resemble one another. Though the messages revealed in the two historical texts are similar, how the same objective is delivered differs, which in turn also affects the peoples lifestyle. The Book of the Dead provides of list of actions that must and must not be done, as it serves as a checklist of things the Egyptians must do before death such as, I have not caused pain, I have cause no man to hunger, I have made no one weep.. (p. 1). The Analects instead provides words of wisdom and guidance for the people when making the close like, What you do not want done to yourself, do not to do others (p. 1). This empowers the people to make the finis and to find what it right and wrong. Another factor that further emphasis the dif ference in what motivates the people to continue good behavior is education. Confucianism seeks to emphasize the importance of education and provide the genesis of the concept of morality.In other words, the priority and heavy emphasis given to education by Confucianism exists to enable the education of right from wrong, and it is their belief that only through such truth and knowledge can one be conscious of choosing right over wrong. As an extension of that philosophy, Confucianism also argues that to know the ethics between right and wrong is essentially ineffectual without applying and acting upon it. In contrast, the Book of the Dead doesnt emphasize such an innate and acute certain sense of morality and ethics, and instead, dictates several rules of what to do and what not to do.The mystery or education needed to lay right from wrong is not necessary, and practically doesnt exist, and instead a simple adherence to hold and obedience is the true test of their morality. In other words, the Egyptians did not place an emphasis of conscience or the development of ethics and morality, but instead places a greater emphasis on structured obedience, abiding by the rules stated in the Book of the Dead. All in all, it is no surprise that the two ancient civilizations live completely dissimilar lifestyles with contrasting beliefs, as they were isolated from one another.As the two began developing their culture, it is interest to point out that their values and favored social conduct behavior ultimately became quite parallel. The emphasis in harmony, truth, and social order would not be prevalent in other societies, yet are in both the ancient Egyptians and the ancient Chinese civilizations. And yet, it is no doubt that their beliefs of the afterlife and motivation for spare-time activity such conduct differs tremendously and is what gives each civilization their unique culture.