The ancients were convinced that the gods were responsible for sustenance of the cosmic order or "ma'at" (as the Ancient Egyptians called it). The survival of the gods was, therefore, essential to the perpetuation of the order of things. The "pagan" habit of identifying the goes with heavenly bodies such as the stars, the moon and the sun meant that these bodies had to be provided with regular offerings of the "sweet incense" of life to keep the cycle of night, day and seasons going.