We, in the early 21st century, know that the Sun is a star, composed mostly of hydrogen, at the center of the Solar System, and with planets orbiting around it. But ancient people didn’t have access to the same tools we have today.
Their understanding about the Sun was far more concerned with the day-to-day needs of living. As such, their notions have influenced the way we (still) think of the Sun. Almost all life on Earth evolved with the Sun as a major influence. The rising and setting Sun defined the daily cycle we still respond to biologically. Ancient peoples were extremely dependent on the Sun for light; only the light from a full Moon gave any way to see in the night, and it wasn’t until the discovery of fire that humans had a reliable way to see after the Sun went down. Its apparent movement in the sky provided clues on when to plant and harvest crops and gave us the concept of the year. The Sun was such an essential object that many ancient people treated it with reverence and considered the Sun a god. Many worshipped it and built monuments to celebrate it, such as Stonehenge in England.