Why were they held in such high esteem?
2007-03-05 09:35:58 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
The exaltation of cats in Ancient Egypt most likely began with their contribution to agriculture. Feral cats, or "reed cats", naturally preyed upon the rats and other vermin that would otherwise eat from the royal granaries. They earned their place in towns and cities by killing mice, poisonous snakes and other pests.
The two main breeds of cat native to Egypt were the jungle cat Felis chaus and the African wildcat Felis silvestris lybica. The latter of these was more commonly domesticated, largely due to its temperament. The jungle cat was not nearly as peaceful, and was probably not especially helpful in the initial phases of domestication.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cats_in_anc...
2007-03-05 09:54:57 · answer #1 · answered by Carlene W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cat was the sacred animal of Goddesses such as Sehkmet, Baset, Senkar, Mut. They would have been given special regard for this. Also in a climate like the Egyptian climate cats fare so much better than dogs do. They thought this was sign of divinity given to them by the gods.
One Pharaoh dedicated an entire year of his reign to the devotion of cats becuase he thanked them for saving his Great Royal Wife. somebody was sneaking into their room to poison her but the cat made such a racket that they both woke up and thus the Queen was saved. Just a bit of trivia there.
2007-03-06 17:38:56 · answer #2 · answered by not a mused 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ancient egyptians did'nt worship cats, it was a rumour spread by the ancient greeks ,although they did worship a cat headed goddess called Bastet, They did think cat's were mystical and liked to have them as pets and hunting animals
2007-03-06 06:53:48 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ancient Egyptians believed that cats have special powers which protect humans from harm and danger. They believed that cats could take on a human shape. In this way, magical cats do good deeds, protecting their owners from much harm.They are the companions, of witches and wizards, and they protect them, at all times.
2007-03-06 00:27:33 · answer #4 · answered by skeetejacquelinelightersnumber7 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats were worshipped as the deity Bastet, which was a black cat.
Egypt worshipped cats because they killed the rodents attacking
the granary of the Kingdom which fed the people.
In Europe people killed and tortured cats so much that rodents
proliferated and the result was famine followed by the black
death and plague.
Cats kill mice.
2007-03-05 20:25:55 · answer #5 · answered by Nicolette 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Ancient Egyptians were very god-oriented. One of their most famous gods was Bast or Bastet. She was depicted as a cat most of the time. They also believed that the cat protected them from evil spirits. That's why they loved them and wanted to be buried with lots of cats.
2007-03-05 17:42:24 · answer #6 · answered by Roo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check out the web link, it explains about how the cats were made demigods when the Pharoah started building granaries to feed the increased popluations of the cities.
2007-03-05 17:46:28 · answer #7 · answered by squeegy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah!! Bast, Sekhmet, where are you now, in this time of need? The Egyptians found cats, appropriately, to be very "mysterious"--very psychic, and in tune with the cosmos, among other laudable characteristics. This appeared to them worthy of being honored.
2007-03-05 17:41:27 · answer #8 · answered by drakke1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No but having seen yanks support George Bush I can understand how they could worship the dung beetle
2007-03-06 11:20:38 · answer #9 · answered by Aine G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of the Goddess Bast who was portrayed as a woman with a cat`s head
2007-03-05 18:37:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋