First and foremost, temples were the religious centers of Sumerian cities. Sumerians were a polytheistic people, and they believed that their gods and goddesses lived in the temples. The temples were therefore places where people could come to worship the gods, pray for favors, and make offerings.
Second, temples were also the economic centers of Sumerian cities. The temples controlled a large amount of land and wealth, and they were responsible for redistributing this wealth to the rest of the community. The temples also played a major role in trade, and they were often the sites of markets and other economic activities.
Third, temples were also the political centers of Sumerian city-states. The priests who ran the temples were often the most powerful people in the city, and they played a major role in making political decisions. The temples also served as meeting places for the city council and other important civic bodies.
Finally, temples were also important cultural centers for Sumerian city-states. The temples were home to schools and libraries, and they were often the sites of artistic and musical performances. The temples were also the places where Sumerians celebrated their most important festivals and holidays.
In conclusion, temples were the most important buildings in Sumerian city-states because they served a variety of religious, economic, political, and cultural functions. They were the places where people could come to worship the gods, pray for favors, make offerings, trade, conduct political business, and enjoy cultural events.