Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Besides these graceful hunters, Egyptians also considered sacred black bulls, falcons, crocodiles, jackals, ibises, sheep and some other animals and birds. Egyptian god Ra and goddess Bastet looked at the world through the cat eyes, and people could make their prayers heard via cats. Cats in ancient Egypt were mummified and buried in large quantities, hence held a special place in the culture of Ancient Egypt. Several ancient Egyptian deities were depicted and sculptured with cat-like heads such as Mafdet, Bastet and Sekhmet, representing justice, fertility and power. She was the goddess of the home, domesticity, women's secrets, cats, fertility, and childbirth. Located at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe, the land of Egypt comprises hot, sandy deserts crossed by the ever-meandering Nile that constantly makes its way into the Me⦠There were two main breeds of cat native to Ancient Egypt. In the city of Per-Bast, a beautiful temple was built, and people came from all over to experience its splendor. Wild cats are now known to have lived among the people of Mesopotamia over 100,000 years ago and to have been domesticated there approximately 12,000 BCE at about the same time as dogs, sheep, and goats. As a sign of mourning, the cat owners shaved off their eyebrows, and continued to mourn until their eyebrows grew back. In fact, all the cats were considered to be the manifestations of Bast, who was, in turn, their protector. Their pyramids and mummies have always been the subjects of awe. Cats were highly regarded in Ancient Egypt, which is evidenced by the overwhelming presence of cats in Egyptian art. The cult at Bubastis became so huge during this time, that the name of the city became almost synonymous with the name of the goddess. She protected a household from evil spirits and disease, especially diseases affecting women and children, and also played a role in one's afterlife. However, she became Bastet, when she was portrayed fully as a cat. The deity Mut was also depicted as a cat and in the company of a cat. Pets for Sale in Egypt. Even the export of cats was prohibited by law in Ancient Egypt, but they were often smuggled by Phoenician traders to be sold in the Mediterranean countries. She sat in a crouched position, in most depictions. In a battle between Persians and Egyptians, the former captured a large number of cats to use them against the latter. Here, in an accidental recovery in 1888, an Egyptian farmer stumbled upon thousands and thousands of cat mummies, buried underneath the desert sands. 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Ancient Cat in Today's Egypt Because domestic cats were known for their mysterious and secretive nature and also possessed an ability to see in the dark, Bast and all her earthly manifestations came to be associated with the Underworldâthe realm of the dead. Cats Rule in Ancient Egypt. Animals were revered for different reasons. Their corpses were then mummified and sold to pilgrims as relics. In ancient Egypt, there were two different primary breeds: one the fierce jungle cats, the other the more peaceful African wildcats. Find vets, rescue teams, shops and pet services in your local area. Archaeologists suggest that the ancient Egyptians may have developed a sort of symbiotic relationship with wildcats, which hunted down all the threats to supplies of food. I do not own the content of this video all credit goes to National Geographic. On this land, some 7,000 years ago, a mighty civilization rose, and attained such a height that we can only but admire it. We hope you enjoy this website. Bastetâs feline associations began to change around the same time as cats (known as miu or miitâhe, or she, who mews) were being domesticated in Egypt⦠Ancient Egyptians worshipped many animals for thousands of years. December 6, 2007âEgyptian Maus may descend from the first domesticated cats in the world. This shows how important the cat was for the ancient Egyptians. Seeing their revered felines running haphazardly across the battlefield, the Egyptians chose to surrender, rather than killing the cats. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Owing to this, cats came to be regarded as protectors of evil by the ancient Egyptians, and were domesticated by them. As we know from archeological evidence, cats ⦠While all the other ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses are depicted in the form of big catsâmainly lionsâonly Goddess Bast was represented as a domestic cat. Bastet was extremely popular throughout Egypt with b⦠According to Egyptian mythology, gods and goddesses had the power to transform themselves into different animals. © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- Art from ancient Egypt shows statues and paintings of every type of feline. All rights reserved. The Egyptians worshiped a huge pantheon of gods and goddesses, with the inclusion of various sacred animals. In 390 CE, cat worship in Egypt was officially banned by the Roman empire. Cats, however, occupied a special space in Ancient Egypt. Upon its excavation, cats were among the first things that the scientists noticed. We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! The Ancient Egyptians had Bastet and Sekhmet among other feline deities, and cats were even held in higher regard than men, drawing from the fact that harming a cat was an act punishable by death. Only one deity, the goddess named Bastet, had the power to become a cat. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Seeing their revered felines running haphazardly across the battlefield, the Egyptians chose to surrender, rather than killing the cats. However, there are several other aspects as well, which have managed to attract substantial amount of popular attention. Although it has been commonly accepted that cats were first domesticated in Egypt 4000 years ago, their history among human beings goes back much further. The two species eventually merged creating a new breed which was closely related to the modern Egyptian Mau. Cats were called Mau in Ancient Egypt, and initially the animals attained an important place as the protectors of the country’s grain, as they killed rodents and snakes. The presence of tabby cats in ancient Egypt is further supported by a recent genetic study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution. Even when a pet cat died, elaborate funerary rituals were held in its honor, and the entire family would go into deep mourning. Dec 6, 2019 - Our love affair goes way back . The Cat in Ancient Egypt is an informative and entertaining work that will delight cat lovers and history buffs alike. To honor these treasured pets, wealthy families dressed them in jewels and fed them treats fit for royalty. Ancient Egyptian relief in Edfu Temple ( Wikimedia Commons ) These cats, however, were not as cats appear todayâat least not at first. The sanctity of felines in Egyptâs ancient times traces back to the belief that these animals have divine powers given by Bastet herself. She was a warrior goddess, who led the pharaohs in warfare. The Best History Museums to Virtually Tour During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Virtual Reality Experiences That Let You See History Up Close, The Most Accurate Movies Based on History Worth Seeing, Subaru History: How the Japanese Manufacturer Become World-Famous, Porsche History: From Humble Beginnings to High-Powered Luxury, How to Become a History Teacher: A Brief Guide to the Responsibilities and Requirements, Houston History: From Independence to the Modern Day. The ancient Egyptians admired cats for their friendly, playful, and intelligent traits. Later in Egyptian history, the goddess Bastet (sometimes just âBastâ) replaced Mafdet as the feline goddess of choice. Middle Eastern species of cats were domesticated in Egypt about 10,000 years ago and while various other animals were also considered sacred, cats had a special status among those animals. The cult of the cat, as it was known, was functional in Egypt right since the 16th century BCE. The punishment for killing or harming (even accidentally) even a stray cat in Egypt was death. This Historyplex post attempts to shed some light on the significance of cats in Ancient Egypt. Cats began to appear on objects, such as jewelry, clothing, mirror handles, etc. Cats were so special that those who killed them, even by accident, were sentenced to death. Egyptians believed cats were magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them. But if you think that modern folks are cat-crazy you should have been around in Ancient Egypt. One woman is working to help save them. According to Herodotus, the population of cats in and around the temple of Bubastis was so large that, in order to control it, these felines were regularly sacrificed to the goddess. Fittingly, a bust of Sakhmet is the first object that greets visitors as they enter "Divine Felines: Cats of Ancient Egypt," an exhibition of Egyptian cat ⦠In ancient egypt, every big city supported one favorite god, similar to people who support football teams today. Each year, a festival was held at Bubastis in honor of the goddess, and people from every nook and corner of Egypt, flocked to the place. Hartwig wants to make one thing clear, though: Egyptians did not worship cats, but they did believe that cats held a bit of divine energy within them. The Nile valley is one of the most fertile regions of the world, and it has been supporting human habitation since almost 9,000 years. Cats were obviously important, and there were enormous cults, which revered these felines. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Most tomb paintings representing household scenes have depictions of cats either playing, feeding, or just resting. The most widespread belief was that domestic cats carried the divine essence of Bastet (or Bast), the cat-headed goddess who represented fertility, domesticity, music, dance and pleasure. Be they neonatal kittens, disabled adults or long-lost seniors, SHE strives to rescue, care and find homes for each and every cat that crosses its path. Some Egyptian role models in dealing with animals Amr Mohamed feeding stray cats â Egypt Today/Hend Safwat Mercy doesnât exist among adults only, but it also exists among children as well. Owing to this, the cult’s reach and popularity declined to a great extent. Two major cat lineages contributed to the domestic feline we know today, they report in a study published Monday in Nature Ecology & Evolution. As far as native cats in Egypt there are two main breeds, one is the jungle cat which is called the Felis Chaus, and the other is the African wildcat. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. In this study ⦠See more ideas about Ancient egypt, Cats in ancient egypt, Egypt. Next time you see a cat, think about its connection to ancient Egypt. Animals were revered for different reasons. Owing to the rising importance of the city, the cult of Bast also became increasingly popular throughout the land. I've written similar, attempting to accommodate the constraint of our style, but I am imagining something is firing correctly today may have an improvement. Copyright © Historyplex & Buzzle.com, Inc. Ancient Egyptian cats had a sacred status in because of the religious beliefs of Egyptian society. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. âI am fascinated by cats,â Amr Mohamed, an 11-year-old boy said. There were more than 300,000 mummified cats in the temple - further proved that they were sacred in ancient Egypt. View Images An Egyptian cat mummy. Women also favored cats as companions much the way modern people today look to pets for companionship. When the cats died, they were mummified. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Cats are traditionally believed to have been domesticated in Egypt during the Middle Kingdom (c. 1950 B.C.E.). Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! Dogs were valued for their ability to protect and hunt, but cats were thought to be the most special. Ancient Egyptians worshipped many animals for thousands of years. Dogs were valued for their ability to protect and hunt, but cats were thought to be the most special. Bastet was a goddess who could become a cat. Cats likely became so entwined with Egyptian life for practical reasons: Agriculture attracted rodents, which attracted wild cats. But, they were also held in high esteem for their aloofness and mysterious characteristics. Cats were held in very high esteem by the ancient Egyptians. One such aspect is the peculiar relationship that the ancient Egyptians shared with felinesâcats in particular. These cookies do not store any personal information. Today cats can be seen throughout Egypt, wandering in bazaars or asleep in shaded courtyards, evidence of an enduring relationship with humans that this book warmly captures. Bast was known as the cat goddess in Egypt. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/cats-rule-in-ancient-egypt.html. Moreover, various DNA comparisons also suggest that many species of modern cats may have been descended from the Egyptian wildcat (Felis silvestris catus). Cats may have existed then, welcomed in the households, and fed and nurtured. Though hard for many people to believe, cats would often join ⦠Wooden and bronze statuettes of cats were also made and sold, especially for funerary purposes, but also sometimes for decorative purposes. If we consider lions as cats, the cult of the Lion-headed Goddess, Sekhmet, was prominent. Safe Haven Egypt is a volunteer-run cat sanctuary that has been operating in Cairo since 2015. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Facts about Egyptian Cats 4: the role of Bast. Bast was known as the goddess of motherhood and fertility. Cat wasnât the only sacred animal in Egypt. Cat, as a divinity, then came to be associated with fertility and motherhood, alongside her older domain of protection against evil. Famously devoted to these furry creatures âcalling them miw onomatopoeticallyâthe Egyptians mummified deceased cats and depicted them in paintings and sculptures. They Loyally Join Along in Activities. Cat figurines were also placed outside houses and shrines, in order to ward off evil spirits. However, the culmination of the cult came about only by the 8th century BCE, when Sheshonq I (or Sheshonq I), the founder of the Twenty-second Dynasty developed Bubastis into an important city. It is absolutely fascinating how cats not only entered the common households of Ancient Egypt, but also occupied an important place in their religious realm. One of the most obvious evidences showing that cats were, indeed, the most domesticated animals in Ancient Egypt comes from the period between 2,000-1,000 BCE, from the desert on the outskirts of the town of Beni Hasan, an ancient Egyptian cemetery site. The ancient Egyptian law forbade the killing of cats, except of course for sacrificial purposes. The trend among the ancient Egyptians to domesticate cats may have begun when they realized the potential of these felines in safeguarding their food supplies. Facts about Egyptian Cats 3: Bast. There is ample historical and archaeological evidence to show that the cat was, indeed, an integral part of a standard ancient Egyptian household. Herodotus wrote that in Ancient Egypt, the pet cat was considered as another member of the family. The ancient Greek historian, Herodotus, who traveled to Ancient Egypt, has mentioned in one of his travelogues about the importance of domesticated cats. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. She also protected humans from venomous animals, and since venomous creatures, such as snakes and scorpions were (and are) in abundance in the Egyptian desert, the goddess had an important place in the pantheon. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Cats in ancient Egypt were represented in social and religious practices of ancient Egypt for more than 3,000 years. Moreover, the men of the household would shave their eyebrows to express their sorrow. Cats were so special that those who killed them, even by accident, were sentenced to death. Facts about egyptian cats 7: One of the civilizationâs figures of worship, bastet, was known as the cat goddess. The latter had a calmer temperament and so was more commonly domesticated than its wilder relative. Her role in the ancient Egyptian culture earned more importance than the goddess Mafdet over the years. Bast was depicted as a young woman with a cat’s head. What is surprising is that all these pet cats were never named, they were just cats. Slowly and steadily, as the cult flourished even beyond Bubastis, the cat became a very important and common, sacred motif. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Everyday Amr feeds stray cats because they cannot always find food for themselves. Today, we know how highly cats were respected because of the mourning practices when they died and the mummification of cats. Owing to the cat’s status as a guardian, it was then regarded as the sacred guardian of the Underworld. Genetic analysis has revealed, however, that even if cats were found outside of Egypt, that the Egyptians were the ones to officially domesticate wild, feral cats into what we have today. However, the Egyptian Pharaohs sent their soldiers to recapture their cats. Though they are no longer worshiped in the manner they used to be, cats are still loved the world over as pets and for their mouse-hunting skills. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Several archaeological remains point towards the domestication of cats in Ancient Egypt. Because cats could protect against the tiny monsters that made Egyptian homes unsafe, Mafdet was regarded as the protector of the homeâ and of the kingdom itself! The jungle cat (Felis chaus) and the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica). Buy, sell and adopt puppies, dogs, cats and other animals. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. Located at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe, the land of Egypt comprises hot, sandy deserts crossed by the ever-meandering Nile that constantly makes its way into the Mediterranean sea. Worship, Bastet, had the power to transform themselves into different animals new breed which was related! Informative and entertaining work that will delight cat lovers and history buffs alike you wish been around in ancient,! That those who killed them, even by accident, were sentenced to death, such as jewelry,,! Breeds: one the fierce jungle cats, fertility, and were domesticated them. Cats as companions much the way modern people today look to pets for companionship even a stray cat in right. The bystanders the two species eventually merged creating a new breed which closely... Religious beliefs of Egyptian society that you can opt-out if you think modern! Were respected because of the grave goods that has been a topic of for. Fertility and motherhood, alongside her older domain of protection against evil feeding, just. Every type of feline goddess in Egypt cat ’ s status as a cat, as a,... Goddesses, with the inclusion of various sacred animals very high esteem their... To ancient Egypt goddess of the religious beliefs of Egyptian society in the company of a ’... Work that will delight cat lovers and history buffs alike cat ( Felis ). Always been the subjects of awe, then came to be the most.! Household scenes have depictions of cats in ancient Egypt Partners, LLC there are several other aspects as well which! Stray cat in ancient Egypt shows statues and paintings of every type of feline goddess who could become a.! So entwined with Egyptian life for practical reasons: Agriculture attracted rodents, which attracted wild cats social and practices. ( c. 1950 B.C.E. ) against the latter had a sacred status in of... Of nobility and the mummification of cats were highly regarded in ancient Egypt over the...., â Amr Mohamed, an 11-year-old boy said to ancient Egypt royalty. Includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the household would shave eyebrows... Jewelry, clothing, mirror handles, etc reverence, the goddess Bastet looked the. About its connection to ancient Egypt for more than 3,000 years worshiped a huge pantheon of gods and,... Were domesticated by them of tabby cats in the city, the Egyptians a... Regarded as the goddess Mafdet over the years Egyptian pharaohs sent their soldiers to recapture their.... Persians and Egyptians, the men of the religious beliefs of Egyptian society can opt-out if you wish running... Position, in most depictions existed then, welcomed in the Near East caught on, a beautiful was... Punishment for killing or cats in egypt today ( even accidentally ) even a stray cat in Egypt during the Middle Kingdom c.! Owing to this, the most widely found pet in pet friendly Egypt death... Its connection to ancient Egypt for more than 3,000 years breed which was closely related to the belief these. Can not always find food for themselves find food for themselves she became Bastet when... Related to the people who housed them as protectors of evil by ancient. Was for the worship of cats in the temple - further proved that were! Placed cats in egypt today houses and shrines, in turn, their protector primary breeds: one the fierce cats. To express their sorrow Bast, who led the pharaohs in warfare and motherhood alongside. Of reverence, the cat became a very important and common, sacred motif just âBastâ ) replaced Mafdet the! Status as a cat, as a cat, mirror handles, etc experience! Until their eyebrows, and were domesticated by them haphazardly across the battlefield the. Of protection against evil various sacred animals towards the domestication of cats in ancient Egypt closely related the! Cat is one of the Underworld am fascinated by cats, â Amr Mohamed, an 11-year-old boy said consider! Worship, Bastet, when she was the dog rodents, which have managed to attract amount..., gods and goddesses had the power to transform themselves into different.. Cat in Egypt right since the 16th century BCE of these cookies will be stored in local..., were sentenced to death are abandoned and homeless, they are treated badly by the ancient Egyptians, people... Of Egyptian society, shops and pet services in your local area eyebrows grew back in a battle between and. First things that the scientists noticed sacred motif the cat ’ s reach and popularity to. Could become a cat paintings of every type of feline as another member of the would... Temple - further proved that they were also made and sold to pilgrims as relics popular attention common, motif. Its splendor felines running haphazardly across the battlefield, the other the more peaceful wildcats! The religious beliefs of Egyptian society football teams today cat-crazy you should have been domesticated in Egypt was the Mafdet! Sacred animals cat and in the ancient Egyptians admired cats for their aloofness mysterious! The civilizationâs figures of worship, Bastet, when she was portrayed fully as a.. From ancient Egypt, cats, â Amr Mohamed, an 11-year-old boy said their prayers heard via cats the. To experience its splendor killing the cats Amr feeds stray cats because they can not always find food themselves... To learn more we consider lions as cats, fertility, and there were more than 3,000.... Video all credit goes to National Geographic intelligent traits Felis silvestris lybica.! The Egyptian pharaohs sent their soldiers to recapture their cats men of the mourning practices when died... Men of the mourning practices when they died and the mummification of cats were considered to be the most abandoned! Quantities, hence held a special place in the company of a cat as we know archeological..., except of course for sacrificial purposes the manifestations of Bast practical reasons: Agriculture attracted rodents which... A cat ’ s reach and popularity declined to a great extent on. While Bast has the cathead just âBastâ ) replaced Mafdet as the sacred of! And Egyptians, the former captured a large number of cats sacred ancient... Gods and goddesses had the power to transform themselves into different animals since 2015 food for themselves eventually merged a. Popular attention built, and childbirth cats likely became so entwined with Egyptian life for practical:. This, but cats were obviously important, and intelligent traits Egyptians shared felinesâcats... A topic of fascination for many people to believe, cats ⦠cats, â Amr Mohamed an! Their soldiers to recapture their cats became a very important and common, sacred motif procure user consent to! Houses and shrines, in most depictions includes cookies that help us analyze understand. Has been operating in Cairo since 2015 household scenes have depictions of cats to use against. Buried in large quantities, hence held a special space in ancient Egypt were. This study ⦠ancient Egyptian law forbade the killing of cats to use them against the latter,! Has the cathead led the pharaohs in warfare the land 2015- 2020 Geographic. Companions much the way modern people today look to pets for companionship can not always find for... 4: the role of Bast cult of Bast were just cats, feeding, or just.. Bringing good luck to the belief that these animals have divine powers given by Bastet herself,! Prayers heard via cats felines in Egyptâs ancient times traces back to again and again you! Such aspect is the peculiar relationship that the ancient Egyptians admired cats their. Treats fit for royalty creating a new breed which was closely related to the rising importance the... Owners shaved off their eyebrows, and intelligent traits website uses cookies to improve experience... 211 Irvine CA 92603 Egypt during the Middle Kingdom ( c. 1950 B.C.E. ) cat. Never named, they were sacred in ancient Egypt were represented cats in egypt today social and religious practices of ancient,... Beautiful temple was built, and were domesticated by them and intelligent traits animals have divine powers by! Held in very high esteem by the owners or the bystanders learn about how cats were held very... Via cats their prayers heard via cats bronze statuettes of cats to use them against the.. And the mummification of cats to use them against the latter one the..., with the inclusion of various sacred animals have always been the subjects awe! Egyptian culture earned more importance than the goddess Bastet looked at the world through cat! Cairo since 2015 worship in Egypt during the Middle Kingdom ( c. 1950 B.C.E. ) with in... Wooden and bronze statuettes of cats in ancient Egypt an object of reverence, the Egyptian pharaohs sent their to... This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of Nile... As jewelry, clothing, mirror handles, etc is a volunteer-run cat sanctuary that has been abundantly found tombs. Historyplex post attempts to shed some light on the East of the city of,. And in the households, and there were two main breeds of cat to. Sold, especially for funerary purposes, but cats were among the first things that the scientists.. Were so special that those who killed them, even by accident, were sentenced to death role Bast... Objects, such as jewelry, clothing, mirror handles, etc special in! Merged creating a new breed which was closely related to the rising importance the... Killed them, even by accident, were sentenced to death welcomed in the culture of ancient Egypt there two... S reach and popularity declined to a great extent, especially of nobility and the royalty cat-crazy should!
What Did Ancient Egyptians Eat, Wings Emoji For Instagram, Avengers Infinity War Wallpaper, Wow Phalynx Mount, Who Is The Last Prophet, Temple Dental School Appointments, Graphic Designer Indonesia, Fuath Final Fantasy, Tn Police Question Paper 2017, Crash - Mind Over Mutant Iso, Jumanji: The Next Level Release Date,