Another aspect of this project is the intercultural comparison between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Furthermore, mathematics played an important role in the process of substantiation of normative orders estanlished by a ruler, by somehow indicating their justness. Mesopotamia and Egypt followed in this instance different strategies. While the Mesopotamian ruler represented the justness of his rule visibly through the display of mathematical objects, the Egyptian king primarily used mathematics to execute his control.
Using Mathematics in Establishing Normative Orders in Ancient Cultures: Egypt and Mesopotamia in Comparison
Mathematics was an essential tool in establishing normative orders of the political structures of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Mathematical parameters were used to control the available ressources (goods and persons), which created the basis for administration in both cultures. To control and manage the work of individuals, for example, a certain quantity of the product of their work was determined, which had to be delivered within a specific period of time (daily or weekly). Mathematical problems from Egypt and Mesopotamia, as well as constant lists from Mesopotamia describe the mathematical techniques that were used to control the normative orders of work. This kind of mathematical control can also be documented within the corpus of administrative sources. The comparative analysis of the theoretical side (that is the mathematical procedures detailed within the mathematical texts from Egyptian and Mesopotamian education) and the actual practice of managing work is used to gain acces to the interdependency of mathematics and political normative orders.
