All the societies discussed in this unit had public places of worship for their mythological gods and goddesses, such as the greek temples and aztec pyramids. why do you think these were important to these civilizations?

It explained the way of the world: one of the greatest mysteries to people is why things work the way they do in nature and our lives. Religious beliefs and stories help to explain what people were unable to. 

Science not being as advanced as it is now, many questions about nature existed. The centrality of religion showed that these cultures reached to religion to answer questions about the sun, seasons, their food, and lives.