Cats in Ancient Civilizations: How They Were Revered in Ancient African Civilizations

Cats are among the most popular and beloved animals in the world today. They have been domesticated for thousands of years and have shared their lives with humans in various cultures and regions. But did you know that cats in ancient civilizations were more than just pets? They were symbols of divinity, protection, and power. In this article, we will explore how cats were revered in ancient African civilizations such as Egypt, Nubia, and Ethiopia.

Cats in Ancient Egypt: Spiritual and Sacred Animals

One of the most well-known examples of cats in ancient civilizations is ancient Egypt. The Egyptians had a special relationship with cats and regarded them as sacred animals. Cats were associated with several goddesses, such as Bastet, Isis, and Sekhmet, who were often depicted as cat-headed or lion-headed women. Cats were also believed to have magical powers and to protect humans from evil forces, such as snakes, scorpions, and the chaos serpent Apophis.

Cats were so revered in ancient Egypt that they were mummified and buried with their owners or in special cat cemeteries. The killing of a cat was punishable by death, and the export of cats was strictly prohibited. The Egyptians even went to war with the Persians over the mistreatment of cats. According to Herodotus, the Persian king Cambyses II used cats as shields during the siege of Pelusium in 525 BCE, knowing that the Egyptians would not harm them.

The worship of cats in ancient Egypt reached its peak during the Late Period (664-332 BCE), when the cult of Bastet became very popular. Bastet was the goddess of love, joy, fertility, and music. She was also a protector of women, children, and domestic animals. Her main temple was located in the city of Bubastis, where thousands of pilgrims would flock every year to celebrate her festival. During this festival, people would dance, sing, drink, and offer sacrifices to Bastet. Many cat mummies have been found in Bubastis and other sites dedicated to Bastet.

Some of these cat mummies have been studied by archaeologists and scientists using various methods, such as X-rays, CT scans, DNA analysis, and carbon dating. These studies have revealed interesting facts about the cats' breeds, ages, health conditions, causes of death, and methods of mummification. For example, one study found that most of the cat mummies from Bubastis belonged to the African wildcat (Felis lybica) subspecies rather than the domestic cat (Felis catus) subspecies.[1] Another study found that some of the cat mummies from Saqqara were actually made of mud or clay instead of real cat bones.[2]

Cats in Ancient Nubia: Royal and Regal Animals

Ancient Nubia was a civilization that spanned from southern Egypt to northern Sudan. It was influenced by ancient Egypt but also developed its own distinctive culture and identity. Nubia had several kingdoms throughout its history, such as Kerma, Kush, Napata, and Meroe. Nubia was also known for its rich natural resources, such as gold, iron, ivory, and ebony.

Cats in ancient Nubia were royal and regal animals. They were symbols of royalty, power, and prestige. Cats were often depicted on royal monuments, such as statues, stelae, pyramids, and tombs. Cats were also buried with their owners or in separate tombs near royal cemeteries. Some of the most famous examples of cats in ancient Nubia are the bronze statues of cats found at the temple of Amun at Meroe. These statues date from the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE and show cats wearing jewelry and crowns.

Cats in ancient Nubia were also associated with several deities, such as Amun, Isis, Hathor, and Bes. Amun was the supreme god of Nubia and Egypt. He was often depicted as a ram-headed man or a ram with a sun disk on his head. Isis was the goddess of magic, healing, motherhood, and kingship. She was often depicted as a woman with a throne on her head or a cow with horns and a sun disk on her head. Hathor was the goddess of love, beauty, music, and joy. She was often depicted as a cow-headed woman or a cow with horns and a sun disk on her head. Bes was the god of protection, childbirth, humor, and war. He was often depicted as a dwarf with a lion's mane and tail.

Cats in ancient Nubia were also valued for their practical benefits, such as hunting, guarding, and pest control. They helped the Nubians to hunt various animals, such as gazelles, antelopes, hares, and birds. They also guarded the royal palaces and temples from intruders and vermin. They also kept the grain stores free from rodents and insects. The Nubians also admired the cats' agility, grace, and intelligence.[3]

Cats in Ancient Ethiopia: Exotic and Valuable Animals

Ancient Ethiopia was a civilization that encompassed the region of the Horn of Africa, including present-day Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, and Djibouti. It was also known as Abyssinia or Aksum. Ethiopia had a long and rich history, dating back to the prehistoric times. It was also home to diverse cultures, languages, religions, and peoples. Ethiopia was famous for its trade, art, architecture, and literature.

Cats in ancient Ethiopia were exotic and valuable animals. They were imported from Egypt and Nubia and were prized for their beauty and rarity. Cats were also symbols of wealth, status, and luxury. Cats were often kept as pets by the elite and the nobility. They were also given as gifts or tribute to foreign rulers or allies. For example, the Ethiopian king Ezana sent a cat as a gift to the Roman emperor Constantius II in the 4th century CE.[4]

Cats in ancient Ethiopia were also associated with some deities, such as Astar, Mahrem, and Meder. Astar was the goddess of love, fertility, and war. She was often depicted as a woman with a lion's head or a lioness. Mahrem was the god of war, hunting, and kingship. He was often depicted as a man with a lion's head or a lion. Meder was the god of the underworld and the dead. He was often depicted as a man with a jackal's head or a jackal.

Cats in ancient Ethiopia were also admired for their cultural and artistic significance. They were featured in various forms of art, such as paintings, sculptures, carvings, jewelry, textiles, and pottery. They were also mentioned in various forms of literature, such as myths, legends, poems, songs, proverbs, and riddles. Some of these art forms and literature are still preserved today in Ethiopia's rich cultural heritage.[5]

Conclusion: Cats in Ancient Civilizations Were More Than Just Pets

In conclusion, cats in ancient civilizations were more than just pets. They were symbols of divinity, protection, and power. They were revered in ancient African civilizations such as Egypt, Nubia, and Ethiopia. They were also associated with various goddesses and gods who represented different aspects of life and death. Cats were also mummified, buried, depicted, gifted by their owners and admirers.

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