The Similarities Between Mesopotamia And Egyptian Religion

Both Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations placed religion first and foremost in their society. The key similarity between the two in regards to religious belief is how important and integral it was to their lives. Mesopotamia's entire culture and economy was governed by religion, with the temple being the central building in cities. Each city state was "owned" by a particular patron god or goddess whom the temple was dedicated (8). To Egyptians, religion was a part of the cosmic order of the universe and their ruler, the Pharaoh, was a God-king whose duty was to maintain stability within (21). They were resistant to change and held to traditions for fear of disrupting this order, as seen in the failure of Akhenaten to make new gods (24).