It’s well known that Ancient Egyptians regarded cats as protectors and even representations of their deities. They did not worship them as many think but saw them as symbols of divinity and protection.
But other cultures included cats in their legends as well. Our feline friends have been around since the time of earlier societies and they have been cared for and adored over the course of history.
Read on and see how our furry friends got along with the ancients.
1. Ancient Greeks thought Artemis became a cat
In Greek mythology, it was said that Artemis, goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, the Moon, and chastity once morphed into a cat to escape from the monster Typhon. The Greek goddess then extended her favor to cats after her escape.
2. The status of Egyptian cats declined thanks to Persian rulers
The Persians took over Egypt in 525 BCE and as a result, the cult of Bast significantly declined.
Temples dedicated to the cat-faced Bast (aka Bastet) were destroyed in 350 BCE.
And while cats remained, it was as pets with families seeing their uses against scorpions and snakes.
3. Egyptian cats were draped with jewelry
Before the destruction of the goddess’s cult, families afforded their cats luxuries whenever they could. It is said that richer folks could afford to adorn their cats with jewels. But we have the feeling some precious pieces would have been lost that way, so we tend to agree with the historians who suspect it was cat statues and mummies that were bejeweled instead.
4. Cats brought good luck
That makes sense if you think about it – cats are great at chasing away other creatures. And perhaps that’s why cats were then thought to bring good luck to families, including protection, and even fertility.
5. The Egyptian army took back smuggled cats
Records show that small armies were sent out to retrieve and take back stolen or smuggled cats.
6. There are ancient inscriptions dedicated to cats
It states, “You are the Great Cat, the avenger of the gods, and the judge of words, and the president of the sovereign chiefs and the governor of the holy Circle; you are indeed the Great Cat.”
We’re pretty sure cats still think this is true.
7. Even the god Ra once became a cat
His purpose was to defeat the serpent Apep (apparently, Bastet was not around). He is one more Egyptian deity linked to cats. This story is found in the Book of the Dead.
8. People would risk their lives to save cats from fires
They would even run inside to rescue trapped cats.
To be fair, so would we!
9. Cats were also mummified
Cats, like humans, were given provisions for the afterlife showing just how much they were valued when they were alive. A bowl of milk and even mummified mice were buried with cats for their journey across the river Styx.
10. Bastet could transform into an actual cat
Bastet was believed to watch over Egypt, keeping them from invasion and since she could transform into a cat, they believed that cats in their homes or the streets were physical manifestations of her.
11. Dreaming of cats brought good luck
The larger the cat, the better. The more cats, the better.
That could lead to some pretty weird dreams, we imagine!
12. A Chinese cat god behaved pretty much like a cat
In China, for example, cat goddess Li Shou did her part by protecting crops by eating mice and rats. A Chinese myth even narrates how Li Shou was supposed to handle world affairs but chose to nap instead.
The job was given to humans as a result.
13. The demon cat Ovinnik protected Poland
Then again, depending on his mood, Ovinnik would also burn down the homes of those who had committed acts of evil.
Now THAT sounds like a cat.
14. Mafdet was a feline-like goddess before Bastet
She is the earliest known feline-like goddess revered for many centuries.
15. The reverence for cats was largely about their ability to remove pests
Cats were revered for their protective capabilities, hence why they were highly valued. Egyptian families used cats to protect even their babies and children.
16. In some cases, cat-killers were killed
Greek historian Diodorus Siculus, wrote, “Whoever kills a cat in Egypt is condemned to death, whether he committed this crime deliberately or not. An unfortunate Roman, who accidentally killed a cat, could not be saved, either by King Ptolemy of Egypt or by the fear which Rome inspired.”
Of course, you can’t always trust 100% what an outsider says about another culture.
17. Ancient Egypt had cat festivals
They say the temple was one of the most magnificent ever erected in Egypt. There was eating, drinking, and joyous dancing coupled with worship for the goddess.
We just want to know if the cats enjoyed themselves.
18. Mesopotamians domesticated cats
When the early Mesopotamians found out that wild cats preyed on the scavengers, they would leave out food for them much like we do today.
That led to wild cats slowly trusting humans and eventually, the breeding and domesticating of cats.
19. Persians used cats against the Egyptian army
How’d he do it?
Cambyses II had his men take cats and release them outside Pelusium. The Egyptians, not wanting to harm the cats, surrendered to the Persian army.
20. Egyptians sometimes shaved their eyebrows to mourn the loss of a cat
Some would shave their eyebrows to signify their loss. The grieving period was over once their eyebrows grew back.
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