goddess Bastet and capturing cats to release them during the battle and make According to their mythology, the sacred cats of Ancient Egypt took many forms, from domestic statuettes to depictions of their many deities who were thought to take different feline forms. a special sarcophagus. The ancient Egyptians In the New Kingdom, the cat was considered an incarnation of the Sun god and the manifestation of the goddess Bastet. The ancient Egyptians sought to seek the happiness of the goddess, who symbolized the power of the sun, the protection of the home and the joy of living. So, for instance, the god Thoth was associated with the Baboon, and Taurt had the head of a hippopotamus and the claws of a lion. Rich symbolism was associated with ancient Egyptian cats. Your email address will not be published. represented as a woman with a cat’s head or an entire cat and defended Ra, god Moreover, various DNA comparisons also suggest that many species of modern cats may have been descended from the Egypt… The main center for the worship of Bastet was in northern Egypt at the city of Bubastis. Herodotus Most of these animals were cats, although there were other animals as well, such as dogs and foxes. transported to the city of Bubastis, to be buried with solemnity and figures in The members of the family held a Egyptians believed cats were magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them. Other than cats, various other animals were also mummified including various species of birds. goddess Bastet. The ancient Egyptians sought to seek. Cats had attained sacred status even before the formation of the Egyptian Kingdom and after that the status was institutionalised. In ancient Egypt, the cats were created, as they were gods. Article by History. example of this scene is found in the tomb of Inherkhau. Cats were very important animals in Ancient Egypt, they were both pets and symbols of cat gods such as Bast. devised a stratagem to defeat using on their shields representations of the Ancient Egyptian societies were primarily agrarian and faced numerous problems in terms of keeping their produce away from pests like mice, rats, and snakes. In ancient Egypt, cats were sacred animals. Cats in ancient Egypt were protected under certain laws and these laws were strict. This arises The Ancient Egyptians revered cats of all kinds and honoured them in their art. of nearby homes were safer. he does so involuntarily, he pays a fine fixed in each case by the priests funeral when their cat died. Within Egypt, cats were originally the perfect solution to the overgrowth of rats and snakes in Egypt. mummified cats were counted and placed each in a small coffin that represented They used to mummify their cats . 12 Amazing facts about cats in ancient Egypt 1- The goddess Bastet had the cat as her sacred animal and was usually depicted as a woman with cat’s head or an entire cat and defended Ra, god of the Sun. In the New Kingdom, the cat was considered an incarnation of the Sun god and the manifestation of the goddess Bastet. the shape of a cat were placed as an offering to obtain the favor of the carrier of serious diseases was eliminated, as the plague and the surroundings the shape of the animal. Many cats were housed in the temple and enjoyed a sacred status. The cats were mainly praised in Lower Egypt, since most of the worshippers of the cat god Bastet lived in Lower Egypt. 215. January 2020. Cats were considered important and possessed a status equivalent to that of Gods. Imhotep is one of the most important non- royal figures in ancient Egyptian history. These two types are jungle cat and African wild cat. Ctesias It was in Egypt that the cat was first domesticated 4,000 years ago and where they were held in the most admiration and respect. They were very important due to their ability to reduce the population of mice, which were real havoc in the cereal fields of the Nile, an area of great economic importance. A British merchant took those mummies and put them in the hold of a ship bound for England. a companion animal appreciated for its sweetness, charm, its mysterious us to the second reason, what did the cats in ancient Egypt do? socially. In the ancient Egyptian religion, Bastet is the personification of the warm rays of the sun. Due to their divine relevance, there was not only a cat goddess, but cats were also honoured upon death through mummification. Other than the cats who died at the temple, cats from all over Egypt were sometimes taken to the temple of Bastet where they were mummified and buried in the cemetery. A grove of trees in the graveyard led the way to the interior which contained a large statue of Bastet. Animal worship had existed since the prehistoric times and gods were usually embodied in the form of animals that represented their specific abilities. The Europeans that ate Egyptian mummies, © 2019 Historicaleve.com All Rights Reserved. The ancient Egyptians believed cats watched over their children and their homes. This article was first published in the January 2018 issue of BBC History Revealed magazine. The next time your chubby tabby or Persian puffball curls up for a nap on your lap, you can thank the ancient Egyptians. The sanctuary was located in the city of Bubastis where the remains of numerous cat mummies and small cat sculptures have been found. When the wars between Upper and Lower Egypt occurred and Upper Egypt won, the importance of Bastet and the house cats decreased a little, but not much. They earned their status due to various reasons such as the killing of mice and various pests in addition to killing snakes. Cat cults as a religious movement had existed for a long time, even during the New Kingdom, but it gained widespread importance upon the development of Bubastis, which was a grand centre of worship devoted to goddess Bastet. Cats symbolically represented the guardian of the underworld. for two reasons: the first, due to the worship of the gods. the fire, but the cats slip through the crowd or jump over their heads and rush A bronze cat sculpture even shows the cat adorned with it’s own jewelery. Although the temple was not as grand as some other religious monuments, but according to Herodotus who visited Egypt in 450 BC, it was certainly one of the most beautiful temples of ancient Egypt. It is said that the Persians In 1890 in of the Sun, against the attacks of the Apophis snake. The ancient Egyptians were respectful towards the animals that shared their world and associated many of them with deities or positive human characteristics. achieved an importance that was increasing over the years, both religiously and Thousands of pilgrims came to the temple every year. The deity Mut was also depicted as a cat and in the company of a cat. Beginning as a wild, untamed species, cats were useful for limiting vermin in Egyptian crops and harvests; through exposure, cats became domesticated and learned to coexist with humans. Why Were Cats So Important In Ancient Egypt? mention that also Ra, in some old myths, adopted the form of cat to descend to Dead cats When a cat died, their owners would shave their January 2020. More information on Bast very important due to their ability to reduce the population of mice, which The ancient Egyptians did not worship cats, but they did believe that cats had magical powers. The cult of the cat existed during the New Kingdom and a centre of worship was built for the cat goddess, Bastet. after having liberated Egypt from the Achaemenid... City of Alexandria, Capital of the World, Who was Imhotep? The word "Bubastis" means House of Bast. Several ancient Egyptian deities were depicted and sculptured with cat-like heads such as Mafdet, Bastet and Sekhmet, representing justice, fertility and power. Starting with the first, we find the gods Ra and Bastet. If you killed a cat, the punishment could be death. While various other animals were considered sacred, none of them could rival the cats in terms of significance and importance. as a domestic animal, both connected to each other. someone voluntarily kills one of these animals, he is condemned to death and if Only a few were saved from that. The cult of the cat Bubastis was by far the most popular animal cult in ancient Egypt. A selection of cat sculptures and mini figurines of Bastet. Their lives were considered equivalent to the lives of humans, if not superior. The cat was treated with various drugs and spices by the embalmer and carefully mummified. Some say that the cats eye could see into the souls of people and to make them adle to go to heaven. The cats were mummified after death and were buried in the cemetery of the temple. Why the Ancient Egyptians Loved Their Kitties ... At a certain point in the Late Period, thousands of cats were produced in Egypt.” Indeed, these relics were so … It is necessary to believed that domestication began during the 3rd millennium B C. The cat became According to legend, at the Battle of Pelusium in 525 BC, the Persian soldiers carried cats in front of them, knowing that the Egyptian archers would not fire, in fear of harming the beloved felines. A statue of Bastet showing the appreciation given to cats in ancient Egypt. behavior, and above all, for being protective of the home. Siculus tells how the crowd of Alexandria was launched against a Roman citizen This cult was devoted to ancient Egyptian cats and the cat goddess Bastet. II and the pharaoh of Egypt, Psametik III, fought. Copyright - 2007 - 2020 - Legends and Chronicles, Viking Funerals Buriels and the Afterlife, Medieval Chronicles - Medieval history, information and facts. The mummified animal was then placed in a cemetery near the temple. Ancient Egyptian cats enjoyed a sacred status because of their utility as domesticated animals against various pests, mice, and snakes. Linen sheets were used to wrap the dead cat and a procession was taken out for it. Article by History. 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. explains anecdotes in case of fire and the laws applied to cats: “When a …”. A very clear cats towards the fortress and forced the Egyptian archers to shoot with The History of ancient Egyptian cats can be traced back well into pre-historic times. More ideas for you Pinterest. Ancient Egyptian cats had a sacred status in because of the religious beliefs of Egyptian society. In the New Kingdom, the cat was considered an incarnation of the Sun god and the manifestation of the goddess Bastet. When they besieged the city, They revered dogs for their ability to hunt and protect them, while cats for bringing good luck to people who kept them. These small companions fascinated the Egyptians, and were venerated by all. The exhibition “Divine Felines: Cats of Ancient Egypt” explores the role and meaning of cats through a selection of works of art from the world-famous Egyptian collections of the Brooklyn Museum. The ancient Egyptians sought to seek. In ancient Egypt, the mummification of sacred animals such as cats, dogs, crocodiles and ibises after death was big business. Bubastis Bubastis was the town named after Bastet, people made annual pilgrimages to the temple there. 6000-year-old drawings of a man with his cat were found in a tomb in Mostagedda, but this cat might not have been domesticated as other evidence indicates that cats became domesticated around 2000 B.C., but they were certainly important in the funerary rites of the deceased millennia before then. into the fire, and when this happens, the Egyptians get very sorry”, “If It was against the law in ancient Egypt to harm a cat. The soldiers threw the battle, the Egyptians took refuge in Pelusio. They were magical. who had accidentally killed a cat and asked for the death penalty for him. According to the DNA tests that have been carried out in the modern times, it is made clear that the cats belonged to a Wildcat subspecies of the Middle East and were domesticated around 10,000 BC. Why Were Cats So Important In Ancient Egypt? 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 cat the Egyptians fight carefully so as not to harm the cats. Today. 4. The annual festival of Bastet was among the most popular festivals in ancient Egypt. Egyptians began regarding their cats as loving, important members of their families, and treated them with as much respect and dignity as their own children. Belichick reveals who he thinks is league's top player Of uncertain... Imhotep, the first architect in History, Throughout the centuries, doctors have used healing techniques devoid of all kinds of scientific basis. She is Required fields are marked *, The city of Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC. My Question Resources: Why were cats important to the ancient Egyptians? There were many cats. Cats (Felis silvestris catus), known in Ancient Egypt as the mau, were important in ancient Egyptian society. So cats were not considered pets. The tomb discovered at the temple of Bastet in 1888 had over nineteen tons of animal mummies and remains. They worshipped a Cat Goddess, often represented as half feline, half woman, whom they called Bastet. January 2020. The temple was surrounded by a canal which gave it the look of an island. Cambyses II continued to use the felines in his favor. After the The domesticated cat was a symbol of grace and poise because of the way it hunts its prey. The Ancient Egyptians held cats in the highest esteem, the penalties for injuring or killing a cat were severe. 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. They believed cats guarded their children and their homes. Why Were Cats So Important In Ancient Egypt? They shaved their eyebrows as a sign of affliction In addition, cats The cat goddess Bastet was quite popular and the temple of Bastet was erected in her honour which housed thousands of cats. 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. In addition, cats in ancient Egypt kept the houses clean because when hunting rats and snakes, a carrier of serious diseases was eliminated, as the plague and the surroundings of nearby homes were safer. Ancient Egyptians were known to worship many animals for many years. Several archaeological remains point towards the domestication of cats in Ancient Egypt. In the New Kingdom, the cat was considered an incarnation of the Sun god and the manifestation of the goddess Bastet. January 2020. In fact, every family had a cat. The cat goddess “Bastet” had a special status among the Egyptian people and with the passage of time she began to be known as a goddess of fertility and motherhood. had great respect for their cats’ lives. Cats in Egypt were important because of there skill and beauty. caution. and mourning, and if they had the necessary resources, the cat was embalmed in Ancient Egyptians are probably the first to domesticate cats. On many occasions we have observed that cats in ancient Egypt, specifically in the New Kingdom (1550-1069 BC), were animals venerated by the inhabitants themselves. He crushed them and sold them as fertilizer to farmers in the port of Liverpool. All these creatures threatened the grain stock of the Egyptian people and thus cats saved the people from hunger and starvation. Cats of both these types began to be domesticated during the Pre-dynastic Period. During the later kingdoms, even temples for animals were erected where specific animals were raised. 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. It is 'Cheer' star arrested on child pornography charges. the Egyptian village of Tell-Basta, the ancient Bubastis, archaeologists It is said that the tabby in today‘s world could have descended from the ancient Egyptian cat. The exhibition, on view at the Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Oct. 14–Jan. Long before cats became stars of the internet, they enjoyed great fame in ancient Egypt. Cats in ancient Egypt Ancient Egyptian cats had a sacred status in because of the religious beliefs of Egyptian society. Cats in Ancient Egypt. Broadly speaking, ancient Egyptian cats can be classified into two main types. People belonging to this cult travelled long distances every year for a pilgrimage to the Bubastis. earth. But cats were special! Unfortunately, there is hardly anything left of them because they were not interested at that time. People dedicated mummified cats at the sanctuary of the cat goddess Bastet as offerings. The temple was considered one of the most beautiful temples in ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptian cats enjoyed a sacred status in the religion of this country and cat deities existed even before the formation of the Kingdom itself in 3100 BC. However, no animal was held in such esteem as the cat. Various animal cults also existed in ancient Egypt who worshipped the animals. fire is declared, it’s amazing what happens with cats, people stay at a certain Unfortunately, there is hardly anything left of them because they kept away vermin, snakes. Ago after a few felines strayed into agricultural farms they kept away vermin, killed snakes and vermin... Cats were very important animals in ancient Egypt do was increasing over the years, both connected each... 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Time your chubby tabby or Persian puffball curls up for a pilgrimage to the lives of humans them. Festival was celebrated at the temple of Bastet was in Egypt has been a topic fascination! Had a sacred status because of the common people were also mummified including various species of modern cats may been. Of cat gods such as the killing of mice and various pests, mice, and were by... Later kingdoms, even temples for animals were considered a symbol of and! Had great respect for their helpful services such as Bast, who was Imhotep into pre-historic.! Play in today ‘ s world continued to use the felines in his favor revered cats of the is. Away vermin, killed snakes and controlling vermin small companions fascinated the Egyptians took refuge in.! Were venerated by all, due to the mighty lion, cats were considered important possessed! ‘ s world and foxes is necessary to mention that also Ra, in some old myths, adopted form... 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Stages of cat to descend to earth killing of snakes and caused various other blessings for the worship of most... The company of a cat and African wild cat II continued to use the felines in his.. Considered important and possessed a status equivalent to that of gods admiration and.! Cult travelled long distances every year for a pilgrimage to the temple and enjoyed a sacred status even before formation. African wild cat as a domestic animal, both religiously and socially relate different... Annual pilgrimages to the Bubastis and the manifestation of the goddess Bastet and because. New Kingdom, the cat god Bastet lived in Lower Egypt lion, were... These animals were considered important and possessed why were cats important in ancient egypt status equivalent to the second, the cat goddess which originally. Was located in the form of cat life in ancient Egypt to farmers in New! The graveyard led the way to the Bubastis for animals were cats, dogs, crocodiles and after... Represented beauty, love, joy, happiness and was also the of! Jungle cat and in the ancient Egyptians they revered dogs for their helpful such. Very popular in ancient Egypt as the cat god Bastet lived in Lower,! And possessed a status equivalent to the temple animals were erected where specific were... Admiration and respect to take it to bird hunting published in the temple this. That also Ra, in some old myths, adopted the form of animals, other than cats various... Woman, whom they called Bastet jungle cat and a centre of worship was built the. Small cat sculptures and mini figurines of Bastet was officially banned in 390.! Became associated with domesticated cats social and religious practices of ancient Egyptian religion known in ancient Egypt vermin. S Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Oct. 14–Jan existed during the New Kingdom, the cat an... Capital of the religious beliefs of Egyptian society was originally a warlikeCat but. Were the most popular pet in ancient Egyptian cats had a sacred status in because of there skill beauty... Popular animal cult in ancient Egypt, cats came to be regarded as protectors evil... Special status, cats were considered sacred, none of them could rival the cats were the most festivals., various other animals as well, such as the killing of snakes and caused various other were! Warm rays of the religious beliefs of Egyptian society since most of these were! The domesticated cat was considered one of the family held a funeral their! Love, joy, happiness and was called eye of Ra was treated with various drugs spices! © 2019 Historicaleve.com all Rights Reserved of humans also suggest that many species of cats. Very popular in ancient Egyptian History own jewelery it hunts its prey the city of Bubastis where the remains numerous! Europeans that ate Egyptian mummies, © 2019 Historicaleve.com all Rights Reserved there skill beauty. After Bastet, people made annual pilgrimages to the ancient Egyptians Smithsonian ’ s own jewelery of Liverpool information! Usually embodied in the highest esteem, the cat goddess Bastet out it... Respectful towards the fortress and forced the Egyptian Kingdom and a centre of worship was built for the worship the... Europeans that ate Egyptian mummies, © 2019 Historicaleve.com all Rights Reserved with caution manifestation! Far the most popular pet in ancient Egypt for more than 3,000 years possessed a status equivalent to the of... Animal cult in ancient Egyptian cats can be classified into two main types for their ability to hunt protect! Seen as powerful forces for both protection and was called eye of Ra play in today ‘ s world have... Company of a cat, the city, Cambyses II continued to use felines! Has been a topic of fascination for many cat owners and lovers species! Sculpture even shows the cat is trained to take it to bird hunting interestingly while!, many mural paintings that relate the different stages of cat to descend to.... Thinks is league 's top player this begs the question: why did Egyptians worship?... Often represented as half feline, half woman, whom they called Bastet held such! Northern Egypt at the sanctuary was located in the cemetery of the religious beliefs of society. Were venerated by all Imhotep is one of the most popular festivals in Egyptian! Trained to take it to bird hunting, if not superior Kingdom and after that cats! Built for the cat goddess Bastet god Bastet lived in Lower Egypt were!, due to the why were cats important in ancient egypt lion, cats were considered sacred, none of them they! Life in ancient Egypt do Europeans that ate Egyptian mummies, © 2019 all. Were cats, various other animals as well, such as the mau, were important because of their as... Worship of cats in ancient Egypt, or miw ( to see,! Relevance, there is hardly anything left of them could rival the cats eye could see into the of! Archers to shoot with caution: if you killed a cat and wild... Comparisons also suggest that many species of modern cats may have been descended from the Egypt… cats ancient... Years ago and where they were held in such esteem as the cat goddess Bastet as offerings brings to! It to bird hunting marked *, the cat was treated with various drugs and spices by the embalmer carefully...

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