The best theory I have ever heard, in terms of it being the most realistic scenario, is that the real reason was to keep a disciplined army busy between conflicts.
Under this idea, the occasional alignment to specific stars or celestial events is real, but not the real utility. The real utility is keeping a standing army ready during a period of empire building.
I always tend to favor historical hypotheses that use realpolitik.
The best theory I have ever heard, in terms of it being the most realistic scenario, is that the real reason was to keep a disciplined army busy between conflicts.
Under this idea, the occasional alignment to specific stars or celestial events is real, but not the real utility. The real utility is keeping a standing army ready during a period of empire building.
I always tend to favor historical hypotheses that use realpolitik.