Religion's Role In Ancient River Valley Civilizations

Religious leaders played prominent roles in every River Valley Civilizations form of government. From ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia to China’s historic empire and the Indus River Valley, all the River Valley Civilizations had significant religious figures. In ancient Egypt, the pharaoh was revered as a God and therefore was given his right as supreme governing authority in the eyes of the people. The elusive emperors of China gained their governing rights by a mandate of heaven creating long lines of dynasties until the common people of China felt the dynasty had lost the favor of the Gods. Chinese emperors were not only governing leaders but also the spiritual leaders of ancient China. Mesopotamian and Indus River Valley priests were referred