9.5_ Independent Reading _ Organised Governments and Complex Religions

9.5: Independent Reading | ​Organised Governments and Complex Religions Background Cities were at the center of all early civilisations. People from surrounding areas came to cities to live, work, and trade. This meant that large populations of individuals who did not know each other lived and interacted with one another. A common government, religion, and language helped create a sense of unity. It also gave rise to more specialised roles, such as administrative officials, priests, and scribes (record -keepers). It was typical for politics and religion to be strongly connected. In some cases, political leaders also acted as religious leaders. In

other cases, religious leaders were different from the political rulers but still worked to support the power of the political leaders. In Ancient Egypt, for example, the kings—later called pharaohs— claimed to be representatives of gods. Organised Governments Political structures were an important factor in the rise of civilisations because they made it possible to bring together large amounts of resources and labour. Larger communities were brought under a common political system. Groups or Councils of elders or chiefs ruled many of the world’s farming villages. However, in cities, more powerful organised governments arose. For example, as cities grew, their residents required a steady

supply of food. A central government could coordinate the production of large amounts of food. In addition, farmers near rivers needed to control flooding and channel waters to the fields. A well-organised government could bring people together for projects such as digging canals, and carving out irrigation ditches. Many rulers appointed officials to help them govern by issuing laws, collecting taxes, and organising systems of defense. Over time, governments became more complex. Separate departments were put in charge of different functions of government. In many early cases, priests had the greatest power in government. In others, warrior kings became main political leaders. Often, they claimed that their right to rule came from the gods. Power was passed on

from father to son. Thus, many political rulers gained religious power as well. Complex Religions Early civilisations were often unified by religion​—a system of beliefs and behaviors. As more and more people shared the same set of beliefs and practices, people who did not know each other could find common ground and build mutual trust and respect. Most ancient people were p​ olytheistic,​ which means they believed in many gods. People prayed to sun gods, river goddesses, and other gods. They believed that different gods controlled nature or human activities such as birth or war.

In early religions, priests and worshipers performed complex rituals to gain the favor of the gods. Their rituals included ceremonies, dances and prayers.To get help from gods, people built temples and sacrificed animals, crops, or sometimes other humans to the gods. Sacrifices and other ceremonies required the full-time attention of priests, who had special training and knowledge.