Both the ancient Mesopotamian and ancient Egyptian civilizations began in river valleys in dry climates. Both civilizations modified their environment in a number of ways. For example, they built canals and dams, which provided water for farming and saved their cities from flooding and drought. Both of these regions thrived for thousands of years. Think about how important it is for a government to provide a stable food supply, laws, and protection for a civilization to thrive. Based on what you’ve learned about ancient Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, what kind of leadership does such a civilization need? What does a government need to do to protect the way of life for its people? Can you think of any instances when the government did not attend to the needs of the people?