While it may not be the most obvious, geography was one of the major factors in shaping a civilization’s tactics, politics, as well as the religious outlook.  Geography could give, or rebuke a feeling of being close to the gods. Fertile soil? The gods must hold you to a high regard. Untimely floods that kill your crops? You must have angered the gods, and they must be appeased. Advantages gave civilizations the ability to expand, conquer and increase in strength and stature. On the other hand, geographically disadvantaged communities, while occasionally protected from outside attack, were given less abilities to expand and explore new resources, ultimately causing their demise, slow yet unavoidable.

	While most civilizations of the ancient world felt an obligation to please the gods, these appeases could vary drastically depending on the situation and condition of the civilization. Egypt commended Aten, the sun god greatly, and credited him to many of the most common and important characteristics of the Earth, such as the seasons. (Document 3) The line, “Your rays nurse all fields” is quite possibly the most important line of the whole hymn. The line appears to be praising Aten for the Egyptians’ fields, and we can infer that they have had a successful growing season. This leads us to the idea that the Egyptians experienced a climate that was perfect for growing their crops, which they attributed to Aten, their sun god. Such a positive point of view towards their gods allows us to conclude that Egyptians felt fortunate with their geographical position and comfortable with their gods.

The Babylonians appear more desperate and nervous when appeasing to their gods. The king would wash his hands before being accompanied to the temple Esagil. The king also delivered offerings to Bel, their god, and testified that he was not a sinner. (Document 2)  The idea that the Babylonians felt it necessary to give Bal offerings and to confirm that Babylonia was still standing gives an underlying feeling that Babylonians feared, or at least held their gods to a high standard. Because this document gives a much more political oriented view, as compared to the Egyptian hymn, we can conclude that Babylonia felt that Bal would guide them against their enemies and would protect Babylonia from other Empires’ invasions and expansions.

As with Babylonia, civilizations in river valleys found an abundance of resources to sustain their population. The Indus valley raised many domesticated animals, and grew crops such as barley and wheat.