Sumerians and Hyksos Comparative Analysis of Sumerian

Sumerians and Hyksos

Comparative Analysis of Sumerian and Hyksos Societies

The Sumerians and Hyksos are civilizations that have thrived in the Mesopotamia (Iraq) and Egypt. While numerous civilizations have come and passed in these countries, these countries are characterized to be the "cradle of great civilizations." The Sumerian civilization flourished for as early as 4500 BC to 21st century BC, while the Hyksos civilization thrived on Egyptian soil in the 16th to 18th centuries BC. Each civilization has its own contribution to the eventual development of societies, politics, and even military might of Arab nations and their neighboring countries.

In this paper, discussion will be centered on the social structure and environment established by the Sumerian and Hyksos civilizations. As each civilization is described and narrated, one of the salient points that will be established is that each civilization's social structure and environment are inevitably driven and determined by the military power and politics of both the Sumerians and Hyksos. Another salient point is that both Sumerian and Hyksos societies are also highly dynamic, as both civilizations have existed and survived in the midst of an unstable political environment, as kingdoms, tribes and nations fight against each other to occupy more territories. This case is especially true for societies that survive through the critical 'sources of life,' such as the Tigris-Euphrates and Nile Rivers.

Given these key points in the discussion, the comparative analysis will highlight the similarities and differences between the Sumerians and Hyksos. One of the important differences between the two civilizations is how much of Middle Eastern or Arab civilizations are attributed to Sumerians, while Hyksos society is barely recognized or acknowledged as having existed in Egypt. That is why in terms of determining the social structure and environment that existed in both civilizations, there are more descriptions and social influences attributed to the Sumerians than Hyksos. Sumerians' social structure is highly politically or (militarily) motivated: Sumerian society is led by warriors, and even the king himself is elected by warriors and considered the 'lead warrior' (Smitha, 2011).

Hyksos, in comparison to Sumerians, have no documented distinct characteristic in terms of social structure and environment. Historians who have investigated the existence of Hyksos civilization in Egypt are left with little evidence on how the Hyksos lived, and how social order and structure are organized and implemented. However, there are two versions of Hyksos history that provides an idea of how they lived their lives in Egypt. The 'pro-Hyksos' version described the Hyksos as originating from Asia, and as 'foreign invaders' of Egypt, they have managed to assimilate themselves into Egyptian culture, creating little to no disruption to the social and economic activities of native societies already established in their conquered territories. The 'anti-Hyksos' viewpoint, however, describes Hyksos society as a precursor to the constant conflict and poverty that Egyptians experienced during their rule, illustrating Hyksos as mere "mercenaries" and incapable of establishing peace, order and a formal socio-political system in their own territories (Beck, 2010). However, historians determined Hyksos society as also driven mainly by the military and its warfare technology. Most of the evidence linked with Hyksos society illustrate it as a society driven primarily by warfare and the military through its technologies, such as "horse-drawn chariots, new types of daggers and swords, bronze weapons, the strong compound Asiatic bow" (Save-Soderbergh, 1951:61).