Introduction
Historically many nations that people took to be superior fell due to many varying reasons. A good example is the Roman Empire, which historically people considered very superior and mighty. In addition, another great empire that rose and fell was the Greece Empire, which historically individuals consider as one of the origins of civilization. This is never different even in present times, where some countries that people perceived to be superior are falling and new empires rising.
For example, the once called the Soviet Union broke down into different states that are fighting with much political, social and economic turmoil (Ames Para. 1-2). Majority of past empires ruled great territories, but simple mistakes and weaknesses led to their downfall. For example, majority of regions in the Middle East were under the rule of the Babylonians, whereby king Nebuchadnezzar had great powers, hence dictated everything he perceived as right for the people.
The Rise and fall of Babylonia
The past Babylonia is an empire that people knew to be mighty, rich, and harsh. Babylonia rose to power after destruction of the Assyrian empire. Its capital city (Babylon) was strategically located to the southern region of river Euphrates, hence making it a tower of power. The country had immense riches, and due to its monumental outlook that made many people respect it for they took it as a biblical center. Babylonia’s success is in most cases attributed to its strong leaders such as Napololassar and Nebuchadnezzar, who ruled Babylonia, hence helping it defeat its oppressors such as Assyria.
During Napololassar’s rule, he helped Babylonia defeat its enemies by taking many treasures from countries he defeated. After his rule, Nebuchadnezzar inherited the kingdom hence developing it further using riches obtained during his father’s reign (Ancient Babylonia: history of Babylonia Para. 3-13). Even after Nebuchadnezzar’s fall, other incoming leaders embraced the same principles he used in ruling, hence making Babylonia more successful.
In addition to immense wealth grabbed from other nations, many civilizations helped Babylonia rise to the top, because many countries considered it a center of civilization, hence accorded it a lot of respect. Adoption of better flood control mechanisms, gave the Sumer people a chance to develop their agriculture, which to larger extents promoted its economy. On the other hand, expansion of agriculture made Babylonia to expand its trade, production and manufacturing industry.
Another main contributor to Babylonia’s rising was the unification of its people and strong support they accorded their army. Nebuchadnezzar used most of the prisoners captured during war as slaves to help in building his empire, hence providing free and enough labor to accomplish his projects. To protect his country Nebuchadnezzar constructed a tall wall to safeguard his capital city, which acted as the main store of Babylonia’s wealth. These wealth helped Nebuchadnezzar to rule Babylonia, for it promoted Babylonia’s economy (Lendering p.1).
Although this was the case, this oppressive rule never lasted for long after Nebuchadnezzar’s demise. Its downfall began with the killing of king Belshazaar, and the destruction of the Babylon wall by the Persians and the Medes. The blocking of the Euphrates River made it hard for Babylonians to continue with their flourishing agricultural activities.
In addition, effects of the war, capturing of Babylonia’s cities, and destruction of the Babylon’s walls by the Syrians made the situation worse for Babylonia, hence leading to its downfall (The rise of Babylonian world power p.1).
The Rise and fall of Egypt
As history depicts most developments in Egypt resulted from agricultural developments embraced by early Egyptians. Most farmers in Egypt previously were hunters and gatherers but their migration to river Nile’s Banks gave them an opportunity to practice substantial agriculture. In addition to agriculture, the Egyptian empire rose due to many other innovations in science and mathematics.
These innovations led to the construction of monuments and other beautiful scenery, which up to date acts as tourist attraction centers. As was the case in Babylon, Egypt had also strong leaders such as King Menes, who made sure Egyptians acted with one voice. Due to embracing of correct ruling procedures, instances of wars were low, hence making the country to thrive economically (Globusz p.1).
The unification of the Egyptian kingdom lasted only during the old kingdom. Divisions in the first intermediate period weakened the unification of the Egypt Empire making it susceptible to attacks from its enemies. During this period, also many calamities such as floods affected the empire, causing food problems.
Other factors that contributed t the fall of the Egyptian empire include poor ruling skills by some of its leaders, a case resembling Babylonia. Attacks from Persian and Syria soldiers saw the downfall of the Pharaoh’s kingdoms, hence further destruction of the kingdom. This is because leaders such as Ramsey III misused most of the empires resources on war affecting negatively the empire’s economy. Economic impacts saw the empire lack funds to pay its workers and the army.
Lack of pay caused an increase in insecurity making the empire weaker. After the death of Alexander the great, the empire fell far apart because his leadership acted as a unification factor (Radine, Rush and Stengle p.1).
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the Egypt and the Babylonia Empires fell due to poor ruling schemes, whereby most of its leaders misused power accorded to them through oppression.
Works Cited
Ames, Richard. Rise and fall of nations. Tomorrow’s World 4.4 (2002). Web.
Ancient Babylonia: History of Babylonia. 2009. Web.
Globusz. The rise and the fall of Egypt. 2010. Web.
Lendering, Jona. Babylonia Empire. Ancient warfare magazine. 2009. Web.
Radine, Mike, Rush, Rutherman, and Stengle, Laura. The decline and fall of ancient Egypt, 2005. Web.
The rise of the Babylonian world power. 2009. Web.