This document compares and contrasts the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. Both civilizations relied heavily on major rivers for survival - Mesopotamia along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, and Egypt along the Nile River. Mesopotamia introduced many innovations like writing, the wheel, and advanced irrigation, while Egypt arose later and built upon Mesopotamian advances through a more centralized divine rule under pharaohs. The biggest difference was that Egypt maintained political stability and independence for over 3,000 years, while Mesopotamia suffered frequent invasions and regime changes.