Final answer:
The Aegean Islanders did not adopt the ways of life of river basin societies due to geographic and environmental differences, such as a lack of fertile soil provided by great rivers and a terrain that favored a maritime lifestyle.
Step-by-step explanation:
People living on the Aegean Islands remained distinct from major river basin societies like Egypt and Mesopotamia primarily because of geographic and environmental differences. The Aegean region, characterized by mountainous terrain and rocky soil, lacked the great rivers that could feed fertile soils for large-scale agriculture. In contrast, societies like Egypt benefited from the predictable flood patterns of the Nile River, which supported the growth of large, settled populations and the development of complex social structures and monumental architecture.
The Aegean civilizations, including the Minoans and the Mycenaeans, were adept seafarers, relying heavily on the sea for trade and resources. This maritime lifestyle influenced their social and economic systems, distinguishing them from the agrarian and often more centralized societies seen in river valley civilizations. The need to adapt to their specific environment reinforced a lifestyle that was practical and sustainable for their circumstances, which often meant that they did not adopt the ways of life of their river-based counterparts.