Cats in Ancient Egypt

by Captivating History Book 2 in the Ancient Egyptian History series.

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3.9(71)

Cats in Ancient Egypt examines the practical, religious and symbolic importance of felines in Egyptian life. It looks at cats as household animals and protectors, their association with deities such as Bastet, their appearance in art and burial practice, and the evidence supplied by mummified animals and temple cults. The book places the familiar image of the sacred Egyptian cat within the wider beliefs and daily customs of ancient Egyptian society.

Archaeological evidence complicates the popular idea that all cats were simply worshipped as gods. Domestic animals, temple cults and the large-scale breeding of animals for votive mummification belonged to different contexts. The book uses art, burials and material remains to distinguish everyday human-animal relationships from the particular religious meanings attached to feline deities.