Final answer:
In ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, religion was deeply entwined with politics; Mesopotamian priests claimed economic control in the name of patron gods, while Egyptian pharaohs were regarded as divine rulers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Religion was intrinsically tied to politics in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. In Mesopotamia, political leaders often emerged from the ranks of the priesthood or the warrior elite, with these two groups working in tandem to govern city-states. Mesopotamian cities were each dedicated to a patron god, and the inhabitants believed their city was 'owned' by this deity. The patron god was thought to protect the city and answer prayers if rituals and sacrifices were correctly performed.
Priests in Mesopotamia were powerful, claiming control over the city's economic output and its trade networks in the name of the city's deity. This belief system was common across the ancient world, with fertility and death being central themes. Priests also claimed to influence the gods to prevent disasters like floods, plagues, or locust swarms.
Egyptian culture also placed a significant emphasis on the divine right of its rulers, with pharaohs often being seen as gods or demigods themselves. They wielded religious and political power, uniting the country under a single divine ruler. Large-scale agricultural projects like irrigation and monumental construction, such as temples and pyramids, were seen as offerings to the gods, emphasizing the strong link between religious devotion and political authority.