Religion played a critical role ancient Near Eastern society. The Mesopotamians, Hittites, and Egyptians each had their own unique religious rituals and traditions. There were many similarities between all 3. Common concerns included a pantheon of Gods, the existence of festivals and traditions, that the Gods provided protection to the citizens, the existence of an afterlife, and the characteristics of the Gods themselves. The major religious systems were made to protect the people. In the ancient Mesopotamian religion, if certain things went wrong, the citizens would blame themselves. They believed they did something wrong that displeased the Gods. The Hittites also conducted special rituals in times of emergency. These rituals were conducted in order to cure insomnia, prevent miscarriage, impotence and to solve family quarrel. In addition, when a baby was delivered, a magic circle encircled the mother. In ancient Egypt, the rate of having a miscarriage was extremely high, thus this circle was supposed to prevent the mother from having a miscarriage.
             One of the major similarities between these religious systems is the existence of a pantheon of Gods. In the ancient Mesopotamian culture, the chief Gods over time included Anu, Enlil, and Marduk. Under the chief God, there were groups of Gods at the same level. The storm God and the sun Goddess were the chief Hittite Gods. Underneath these chief Gods were a thousand ordinary Gods in the Hittite religion. The Egyptian religion included a hierarchy of Gods. Usually, a pair of Gods occupied a level in the hierarchy, a male and a female. Sometimes, a triad occupied a level in the hierarchy, a father, mother and a child.
             Another common concern shared by the major religious systems was the practicing of festivals and traditions. In ancient Mesopotamia, hymns and prayers were offered to the Gods. Entertainment, sumptuous meals including meat, and splendid garments were presented to th...