Cats in Ancient Egypt

Many animals were worshipped by the ancient Egyptians. They

believed gods and goddesses and the power to transform themselves
into animals.

Different animals were worshipped for different reasons. The dog was
worshipped for its ability to protect and hunt. Cats were believed as
special and magical creatures, representing goddess Bastet. Cats were
praised to kill venomous snakes and became the protector of pharaoh.
It was thought to bring good luck to the people who housed them and
took care of them.

Anyone who housed them would treat them as royalty. With 3 square
meals fir for a king, the best place in the house and , of course,
decorating the cat with expensive jewels. The practice of valuing cats
started from the very first dynasty

When cats died, they would be mummified and later buried in a sacred
place. It is thought that owners would shave of their eyebrows and
continue to mourn for their dead cat until the eyebrows grew back.
Cats were so special that if someone kills it, even by accident, was
sentenced to death. Skeletal remains of cats were found among
funerary goods dating to the 12th Dynasty.