Why do you think religion played an important role in the way rulers were regarded in early civilizations?

Answer 1

Since democracy had not been 'invented' at the time, rulers could not base their legitimacy on the will of the people for them to be rulers. So they told people that they were legitimate rulers because the Gods of their city or state had appointed them to rule or even, that they descend from Gods or were Gods themselves. Even today, many kings still describe themselves as being king 'by the grace of God'.

Answer 2

beacuse they had to regard it

Some religious clerics held more power than the ruler of the country, this was because they swore that God was a vengeful God. That they had the power to call upon God to bring about His displeasure upon the rulers of early civilizations.

Answer 3

Religion was very important in the early civilization because religion was based on them and how they respected god or treated god.

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To answer your question, as to why Religion was important, kindly go through my reasoning jotted down below:-

Religion was very important in early civilization, because most of the law was based on religious documents & this law governed the local people. In addition, religion also had a very important 'Social' Significance', for the people, as the religious festivals (e.g. Christmas for Christians, ID for Muslims, Diwali for Hindu's etc) was an opportunity for the common persons to meet others & enjoy.

For example taking the concept of Religious law, in early Muslim civilizations (even some existing today) the entire law is based on 'sharia', which is the code of law derived from the Koran and from the teachings and example of Mohammed. It is the Islamic laws stating the limits ordained by Allah and including the deterrent punishments for serious crimes.

Similarly the early Roman Catholic Church had a lot of power over the local people & royalty as they were made to believe that the 'passport' to heaven was only through them. They could label any individual as a heretic & also authorize their burning.

Hindu Priest also enjoyed a similar position as the Roman Catholic Church during early times in India.

Now please take into account that, it was the priests of these religious institutions who were (& are) the sole interpreters & enforcers of the religious laws. In Muslims it is the Imam (priest), who knows & understands the sharia,the body of doctrines that regulate the lives of those who profess Islam & in a similar capacity the Catholic & Hindu priests understood & interpreted their respective laws.

As the Religious organization had so much control over people, the government made it a point to have good relations with them (i.e. religious organizations) as without the support of these religious organizations, it would have been very difficult to have proper control over the people/citizens of their territory or kingdom.