Ancient China Case Study

1. What did ancient people do in order to prevent natural disasters?

- Ancient people had to appease the gods by making human or animal sacrifices in order to prevent natural disasters from happening.

2. What ancient group played a type of ball game that was somehow related to religion?

- The ancient Mexicans used to play a type of ball game that was somehow related to their ancient roots and religious significance. In these game, the players wore special costumes to represent the gods, and at the end of the game, the captain of the losing team was decapitated.

3. Mention at least 3 traditions in which any type of sacrifice was made to the gods

In ancient Mexico, human sacrifices were linked to war, and capture enemies usually became the victims. Also, the Aztecs used to sacrifice young aristocratic warriors to please the gods.
As a result, they used to offer their ashes as offerings so that their god could intercede in war or in other circumstances.
In ancient China, human sacrifices were linked with foretelling the future. They used human and animal bones to ask the gods if it was going to rain the next day or to talk to their ancestors.
4. In what tradition ritual prostitution was common?

- For the Phoenician prostitution was very common as every maiden once in her lifetime had to prostitute herself at the temple of Astarte.

5. What was a common theme in many ancient religions?

- Human sacrifice and sex were a very common theme in many ancient religions as they were seen as sacred in their