Nomadic Vs. River Civilizations
Contrasts Between Nomadic and River Civilizations When analyzing the problems of former civilizations, subsequent societies are able learn from errors and triumphs of the past. The nomads and the pastoralists faced trials and difficulties; however, the solutions were very different. These two societies had contrasting ideas when it came gender roles, economic development, and political structure systems. Nomadic and Urban societies differed in the roles between women and men. Nomads recognized the strengths and weaknesses the different sexes possessed. Men were valued for their physical strength, whereas women gathered plants for food, and tended to the younger generation. Because of their interdependence, men and women were considered to be equal. On the other hand, the river civilizations believed men to be superior in all things, not just physical strength. Men had dominant roles in political, religious, and social tasks. As time went on, women’s rights were reduced, and they possessed few freedoms. These freedoms included the occasional job, and ownership of small amounts of property. Furthermore, women were regarded as a means to improve the family’s social status. This was accomplished through marriage. Not only were there variances in gender roles, Nomadic and urban societies additionally differed in economic development. The development of economies contrasted greatly between the River societies and nomads. The Nomadic civilization’s survival relied solely on their ability to hunt animals and gather food. They additionally traded with other hunter-gather societies through kinship ties. However, the urban societies took a different approach. Rather than depending on hunting and gathering, they instigated a stable society centered on rivers. This ultimately led to the construction and establishment of irrigation systems. Through this new invention, leaders and political institutions eventually surfaced. This provided the river civilizations a much