Various theories, including the divine right theory, conflict theory, economic theory, and oriental despotism theory, highlight key factors contributing to the formation of ancient states. The divine right theory emphasizes religion’s role, where priests evolved into kings whose legitimacy stemmed from religious sanction, portraying them as earthly representatives of divine authority. Conflict theory underscores the importance of successful war leadership in establishing kingship through attracting loyal supporters amid frequent conflicts. Economic theory suggests that control of trade routes and resources, allowing chiefs to amass wealth and followers, facilitated the consolidation of power. Oriental despotism theory focuses on agricultural societies like ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, attributing state formation to the need for centralized authority to manage large-scale irrigation projects. These theories collectively illustrate how diverse factors such as religion, war leadership, trade control, and agricultural management contributed variably to the emergence and development of early states, characterized by agricultural surplus, social stratification, urban centers, and ideological frameworks in ancient civilizations.