Final answer:
The religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians and the Aztecs both included the worship of multiple gods (polytheism) and had rituals centered around offerings and sacrifices, although human sacrifice featured more prominently in Aztec culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Similarities Between Ancient Egyptian and Aztec Religious Beliefs
The religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians and the Aztecs were alike in several ways, despite geographic and cultural differences.
Both civilizations worshipped multiple gods, each of whom presided over different aspects of the natural and spiritual worlds. The practice of human sacrifices was also common in both societies, although it was for different reasons and conducted differently.
The Aztecs are well-known for their belief that human sacrifices were necessary to appease their gods and ensure the continuity of the world. The act of sacrifice in Aztec culture was not only religious but also a display of political power and a method to subdue conquered territories.
In contrast, ancient Egyptians also practiced rituals and made offerings to their gods, seeking their favor for a safe passage to the afterlife, though human sacrifice was not as central or frequent as in the Aztec culture.
Therefore, the correct answer to the original question about how the religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians and the Aztecs were alike is that c. they both worshipped many gods. This aspect of polytheism is one of the most significant similarities between these two ancient civilizations.