What religions did people in Indus and Egypt civilization practice? Did any other religions
emerge in either region?
The people in the Indus Valley Civilization practiced a religion that is not clearly understood due to the lack of deciphered texts or inscriptions. However, there have been various artifacts found suggesting the existence of a belief system which possibly included worshiping of fertility goddesses and male deities.
In ancient Egypt, the people practiced a polytheistic religion centered around the worship of numerous deities such as Ra, Osiris, Isis, and Horus. These deities were associated with different aspects of life, nature, and the afterlife. The Pharaohs played a crucial role in religious rituals and were considered as intermediaries between the gods and the people.
Both Indus Valley and ancient Egypt had complex ritual practices, architecture, and artistic representations related to their respective religious beliefs.
Regarding other religions emerging in these regions:
In the Indus Valley, there is little evidence to suggest the emergence of significant alternative religious practices or traditions. However, as the society transformed over time, with the arrival of the Indo-Aryans and the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization, new religious ideas would eventually shape the religious landscape of the region, culminating in the development and spread of Hinduism.
In ancient Egypt, during the late period and Hellenistic period, the region witnessed influences from Greek and Roman cultures due to invasions and occupations. This led to the incorporation of Greek deities into the Egyptian religious pantheon, resulting in a syncretic religion known as Greco-Egyptian or Greco-Roman religion. This mixture of religious beliefs is also evident in the worship of Serapis, a deity that combined aspects of Greek and Egyptian gods.
It's important to note that throughout history, ancient civilizations have experienced religious changes, influences, and interactions with other cultures, resulting in the emergence of new religious practices or the blending of existing ones.