Why did Priestley an important role in Samarian city states
Priest were on top of the Samarian social order
Samarian believed only priest could communicate with God to help the city
Priest and temples control much of the surrounding farmland
Samarian feared priest, because they had led rituals involving human sacrifice
Priestley did not have a role in Samarian city-states specifically because Priestley was an 18th-century British scientist, philosopher, and theologian. It seems that there might be some confusion with the term "Priestley" and the role of priests in Mesopotamian city-states like Sumer.
In Sumerian city-states, priests did play an important role in society for various reasons:
1. Spiritual Intermediaries: Sumerians believed that priests had a direct connection with the deities and could communicate with them on behalf of the city. They considered priests as the intermediaries between the earthly realm and the divine world, helping to maintain the favor and protection of the gods.
2. Rituals and Offerings: Priests were responsible for performing complex religious rituals and ceremonies in temples. These rituals involved offerings of food, drink, and other goods to the gods in order to ensure their continued favor and blessings upon the city-state.
3. Economic Influence: Temples owned significant portions of land and resources, making priests and temples major economic and political players in Sumerian society. The control of farmland by temples allowed priests to accumulate wealth and exert authority over the agricultural sector.
4. Fear and Awe: The Sumerians held a certain fear and reverence for priests due to their perceived power and ability to influence the gods. Rituals involving human sacrifice were indeed practiced in certain ancient societies, but it is important to note that these practices were not exclusive to Sumerian priests.
Overall, priests played an integral role in the spiritual, economic, and social aspects of Sumerian city-states by acting as intermediaries with the gods, conducting important rituals, managing temple resources, and wielding considerable influence.