Why did priest play an important role in Sumerian city states
Priest were at the top of the Samarian world social order
Sumerians believed only priest could communicate with God to help the city
Priest and temples controlled much of the surrounding
Sumerians feared priest, because they led rituals involving human sacrifice
The Sumerians believed in a polytheistic religion, where they worshipped multiple gods and believed that these gods controlled various aspects of life. Priests held a crucial role in this religious system, acting as intermediaries between the gods and the people. Their role was to perform religious rituals and ceremonies to appease the gods, seek their favor, and maintain the well-being of the city-state.
Priests were considered to be the highest-ranking individuals in Sumerian society because of their close connection to the gods. They were believed to have the ability to communicate with the gods, receive divine messages, and interpret signs and omens. They played a vital role in advising the rulers and making important decisions, as they were considered to have access to divine knowledge and wisdom.
Furthermore, priests and their temples exerted significant control over the economic and political affairs of the city-states. Temples served as centers of administration, education, and commerce. They were repositories of wealth and resources, owning extensive lands and receiving offerings from the population. The priests managed these resources and used them to fund public projects, maintain the city's infrastructure, and distribute goods to the people during times of need. In this way, the priests and temples had considerable influence and power over the city-state's affairs.
However, it is worth noting that not all priests were feared or associated with human sacrifice. While there is evidence of religious rituals involving human sacrifice in some ancient societies, including the Sumerians, it is not accurate to say that all priests led such rituals. The role of priests in Sumerian society was primarily focused on religious rituals, divination, and maintaining the relationship between the people and the gods.