Abstract: To scientifically reveal the relationship between economy and politics in ancient societies is one of the major theoretical tasks for upholding and developing historical materialism. The mode of production of material life fundamentally constrains all aspects of social, political, and spiritual life, a rule that also applies to ancient societies. However, some scholars argue that politics, religion, and even magic played a decisive role in ancient times, and on this basis they deny the scientific validity of interpreting ancient societies through the basic tenets of historical materialism. In fact, political power and political status in ancient societies bored distinct economic attributes. From the perspective of how economy underpinned the existence and evolution of state power, national wealth guaranteed the survival of regime changes, existence, public affluence underpinned regime stability, and wealth served as a catalyst for regime changes. From the perspective of the relationship between economy and an individual’s pursuit of political status, economic factors were both the goal and means of acquiring political identities, and the decisive factor governing the exercise of political power. When it comes to the correlation between economy and individuals’ pursuit of political status, economic interests were both the goal and the means of acquiring political identities, and the decisive factor governing the exercise of political power.