| Cats played an important role in Ancient Egypt. From | | | | revered in Ancient Egypt that they became deities. |
| protectors of their grain, to pets, to deities, cats' | | | | However, according to many experts, Egyptians did |
| influence on Egyptian life was unmistakable. The | | | | not worship animals per se. Rather, they thought that |
| popularity of Egyptian cats is reflected in the many | | | | animals embodied certain divine qualities and used |
| Ancient Egyptian paintings and artifacts in which they | | | | animals to depict such attributes. |
| appear. | | | | Cats were believed to be direct representatives of |
| Indeed, just the mention of cats and Egypt evokes | | | | Bastet, the cat goddess of protection, fertility and |
| beauty, mystery and supernatural imagery. Surely, | | | | children. Bastet, also known as Bast, was depicted as |
| cats and Egypt share a long, interesting history. Many | | | | a woman with the head of a cat or just as a desert |
| cat experts believe that Ancient Egyptians were the | | | | cat. Priests would keep a cat in the temple in honor |
| first to domesticate cats. At first, it was a practical | | | | of the cat goddess. |
| matter. Cats were brought in to protect granaries | | | | The other feline goddesses were Sekhmet and |
| and homes from small vermin. Eventually though, | | | | Mafdet. Sekhmet was depicted as a woman with the |
| Ancient Egyptians - especially the wealthy - started | | | | head of a lioness. She represented destructive |
| to adopt cats as pets. | | | | power. Mafdet, the cheetah goddess, represented |
| Paintings on tombs and other buildings show spotted, | | | | swift justice and judgment. She was also known as |
| slender cats, which are believed to be the first | | | | the panther goddess. |
| domestic cats. It is believed that these early Egyptian | | | | Egyptian cats surely conjure up images of ancient |
| cats were the ancestors of the Egyptian Mau. Even | | | | magic and mystery. If you or your cat loving friends |
| though this breed is not as known as other cat | | | | love both cats and Egypt, you will be glad to know |
| breeds, its popularity is increasing. | | | | that you may find Egyptian-cat inspired artwork, |
| Over time, cats in Ancient Egypt became part of the | | | | collectibles and statues, both online and off. These |
| family. Ancient Egyptians held cats in such a high | | | | make great cat lover gifts. |
| regard that they went into mourning whenever any | | | | There are also books about the role cats played in |
| of the family cats died. They even had them | | | | Ancient Egypt and about the feline goddesses |
| mummified. | | | | mentioned here. These too make great cat gifts. |
| Animals in general - and felines in particular - were so | | | | |