Ancient Temples in Middle East and the Mediterranen

Were ancient temples part of wider organisations or did they stand alone? Where ancient temples organised as congregations that were part of a greater religious organisation?

How did the temples get income?

What did temples spend their wealth on?

Any recomendations about litterature about temples
 
It varied. A great deal. Some temples were privately funded, some were funded by city or royal governments, some were major landowners. Some temples were linked to others, some weren't. Some had professional priesthoods, some had elected priests, some had appointed priests. Some temples provided alms to the poor, some, in particular temples to Asclepios, provided medical services, some spent money on art, on maintanance of buildings, on festivals. Unfortunately, the ancient Middle East and Mediterranean is a very broad area and timeframe so it's really hard to be more specific.
 
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