The Ancient Egyptians Sure Knew how to Treat Their Cats

Quirky Folk

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The Ancient Egyptians Sure Knew how to Treat Their Cats

October 30th 2008 21:00

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

I learn something new every day. Curled up in bed last night, I was reading yet another book about cats. This one was Legacy of the Cat by Gloria Stephens. Like many cat books, this one began with a history of their domestication. The difference was the author explained how revered cats were in ancient Egypt: she said cats were so valuable that the ancient Egyptians made laws that made it a capital crime to kill or injure a cat. If there was a fire, people were expected to save the cat first, then the humans. Unlike today’s Western society, it wasn’t taboo to grieve for a deceased cat. When a cat died the whole family went into deep mourning. They would express their grief by crying, shaving their eyebrows and beating their breasts. The deceased cat would also be mummified and buried in a special cemetery. What a refreshing outlook when compared to how cats are treated in many societies today.

Imagine what a difference we could make to animals if they were all valued like this.

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2 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Kleonaptra

October 31st 2008 00:26

Kalikapsychosis

Theres a good reason for it - The cats helped them hunt and protected their houses. Where they lived on the river flats they could have been literally wiped out from river rats and the diseases they carry, and the cats protected their whole society. There are ancient paintings of egyptians hunting with herds of cats, scenes depicting them wading into the river and chasing flocks of birds at the cats. Not only friend, they were considered soldiers and protectors. Not to mention gaurding the gates of the dead, and one of the head gods had a cat head - Bastet. Theres a movie called 'Immortal' where the ancient gods drop in on society, and Bastet and Anubis are playing cards. Anubis says, "Are you cheating Bastet?" She answers with a straight face, "I am cheating Anubis" Thats such a cat!

Comment by Queenie

October 31st 2008 05:51

Quirky Folk
Quirky Queenie

Exactly! Just as I worship Butterscotch and Gingersnap because they are such loving babies. As someone once said about animals, they give so much and ask for so little...

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