Cats and humans have been part of each other’s lives for a really long time—like thousands of years. While they haven’t always been as appreciated as they are now, they’ve definitely had a significant role in various cultures. Cats are mysterious creatures and have sometimes faced distrust from different societies, but they’ve always managed to show their value.
People generally think that cats were first domesticated in Egypt about 4,000 years ago, but it turns out their history with humans goes back even further. Research shows that wildcats lived among folks in Mesopotamia over 100,000 years ago, and they started being domesticated there around 12,000 BCE—right when dogs, sheep, and goats were also being domesticated. Just in the last decade, excavations revealed that the Near Eastern Wildcat is the closest relative to our domestic cats today, and Mesopotamian farmers likely bred them to help control pests like mice that were attracted to grain stores.
Writer David Derbyshire mentions a 2007 study where researchers used DNA samples from 979 wild and domestic cats to map out their family tree. They focused on mitochondrial DNA, which is genetic material passed down from mother cats to their kittens, helping them figure out when wild and domestic cat lineages were most similar. This study was led by Dr. Andrew Kitchener, a zoologist at the National Museums of Scotland. He pointed out that the origins of domestic cats weren’t actually in Ancient Egypt, as many believe, but in Mesopotamia, and that this happened way earlier than previously thought. The last common ancestor of both wildcats and domestic cats existed over 100,000 years ago.
Dr. Kitchener’s discoveries were backed up by earlier evidence, including a cat skeleton found in a grave from 9,500 BCE on Cyprus in 1983. Archaeologist Alain le Brun uncovered this significant find because Cyprus didn’t have any native cat population, making it unlikely that settlers would have brought a wild cat over by boat.
Cats in Ancient Egypt
Moving on to ancient Egypt, it’s easy to see why cats were so closely linked with Egyptian culture. Egyptians were known for their love of cats, to the point where exporting them was heavily restricted. A government branch was even created to handle issues related to cat smuggling. By 450 BCE, the law in Egypt stated that killing a cat could lead to the death penalty, although this rule probably existed even earlier. One of the most beloved deities was Bastet, often depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat’s head. She was seen as the protector of home and family, a guardian against evil spirits and diseases, as well as the goddess of cats.
Her main worship center was in Bubastis, “House of Bastet,” where an impressive temple complex was built in her honor, according to the historian Herodotus. He mentioned how seriously Egyptians took their cats, prioritizing their safety even above human life. If a house caught fire, people would rush in to save the cats rather than worrying about their belongings.
If a cat died, Herodotus noted that everyone in the household would shave their eyebrows as a sign of mourning. The deceased cats were taken to Bubastis for embalming and sacred burial. People completed their mourning period once their eyebrows grew back. Mummified cats have been discovered in Bubastis and other locations across Egypt, sometimes buried alongside their owners, as indicated by seals found on the mummies.
A stark illustration of Egyptian devotion to cats occurred during the Battle of Pelusium in 525 BCE when Cambyses II of Persia defeated the Egyptian Pharaoh Psametik III. Aware of Egyptians’ fondness for cats, Cambyses had his soldiers herd various animals, especially cats, towards the fortified city of Pelusium as he marched on it.
Persian soldiers even painted cat images on their shields and perhaps held cats while marching behind the army of creatures. The Egyptians, fearing they’d harm the cats (and therefore face capital punishment), hesitated to defend themselves. Faced with the sight of Bastet’s image on enemy shields, they surrendered the city to the Persians. According to historian Polyaenus, after the Egyptians surrendered, Cambyses rode triumphantly through the city and threw cats at the defeated Egyptians in mockery.
The Egyptians contributed to the very word “cat,” deriving it from the North African term “quattah.” Given Egypt’s strong association with cats, many European languages have words for cat that stem from this root: French has “chat,” Swedish has “katt,” German has “katze,” Italian uses “gatto,” and Spanish has “gato.” The informal terms “puss” or “pussy” are also linked to Egypt, stemming from “Pasht,” another name for Bastet.
Cats In India
In India, the two major ancient literary works, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana (both around the 5th/4th century BCE), mention cats. In the Mahabharata, there’s a memorable moment between the cat Lomasa and the mouse Palita, discussing their strengths and vulnerabilities in their friendship. Meanwhile, in the Ramayana, the god Indra transforms into a cat after seducing Ahalya to avoid her husband. Similar to other cultures, cats in India were valued for keeping pests like mice, rats, and snakes under control, leading to their appreciation throughout homes, farms, and palaces.
The idea that cats were more than mere pest control helpers is evident in Indian literature. The famous tale of Puss in Boots (best known from Charles Perrault’s French version) actually comes from a much older Indian folk story in the Panchatantra dating back to the 5th century BCE, though the character dynamics differ greatly. The deep respect for cats also shines through in the Indian cat goddess Sastht, who played a similar role to Bastet.
The Persian Cat
There’s a Persian legend that tells of how cats were magically created. The heroic Rustum saved a magician one night from thieves, and to thank him, the magician asked what gift Rustum desired. Rustum felt he had everything he needed at that moment—the warmth of the fire and a beautiful sky. So the magician gathered smoke and flame, merged two bright stars, and presented Rustum with a small kitten, gray as smoke, with sparkling eyes and a tongue flickering like flame. Thus, the first Persian cat came to be as a token of gratitude.
The prophet Muhammad is also said to have had a great fondness for cats. Legend has it that the “M” mark on a tabby cat’s forehead appeared when Muhammad blessed his favorite cat, Meuzza, by placing his hand on its head. Another popular tale involves Muhammad being called to prayer while Meuzza slept on his arm; instead of waking her, he cut his sleeve off to let her stay comfortable.
Cats in China and Japan
In China, the goddess Li Shou was represented as a cat, with people making petitions and offerings to her for pest control and fertility. She was quite a beloved goddess, reflecting the importance of cats early on. An old myth narrates that when the world was being created, gods assigned cats to manage things, granting them the ability to speak for clear communication. However, cats preferred lounging under cherry trees and playing with blossoms over overseeing the universe.
The gods checked on the cats three times, only to find them sleeping or frolicking each time. During the third visit, the cats expressed their disinterest in ruling the world and recommended humans for the job. As a result, the cats lost their ability to speak, which was given to humans. Since humans struggled to understand divine messages, cats remained responsible for keeping time, with a belief that one could tell the time by looking into a cat’s eyes—a notion that still exists in China today.
In Japan, the famous “Beckoning Cat” (maneki neko) symbolizes mercy. The legend says a cat raised its paw outside the Gotoku-ji temple, catching the emperor’s attention, and upon entering the temple, he narrowly avoided a lightning strike. Consequently, the cat gained great honor for saving his life.
The Beckoning Cat is often gifted for good luck and is a popular present in Japan. Cats were typically seen as protectors of the home and revered as guardians of precious books. Wealthy individuals housed cats in private pagodas, and by the 10th century CE, only nobles could afford to own them.
[block id=”history-affairs-3″]
Cats in Greece and Rome
While cats were kept in Greece and Rome, they weren’t regarded as highly as in other cultures since Greeks and Romans preferred weasels for pest control. They saw cats as symbols of independence rather than utility. Still, many people kept cats as pets and appreciated them.
An epitaph from the 1st century CE featuring a girl with a cat is one of the earliest pieces of evidence of cats in Rome, and playwright Aristophanes (c. 446-386 BCE) often included cats in his comedic works. However, the Greeks may have been less fond of cats due to some myths connecting them to Hecate, the goddess of death and witches, who was more often associated with dogs. Over time, a later Greek legend emerged, claiming that a cat protected baby Jesus from rodents and snakes, allowing them to gain a better reputation in Greek homes.
Cats likely made their way to Europe through Phoenician traders who smuggled them out of Egypt. As the Phoenicians traded with many civilizations, cats might have spread throughout the region quite frequently. Historical records indicate that cats were kept on ships to control vermin around the time of the 15th-century Age of Discovery, probably serving the same function for the Phoenicians. If they did introduce cats to Europe, they may have also carried along the association of cats with Hecate. While generally linked to dogs, there’s a popular story that connects the dark goddess to cats.
That story involves Galinthius, a maid serving Heracles’ mother Alcmene. Zeus seduced Alcmene, leading to Heracles’ conception, but Galinthius thwarted Hera’s attempts to kill them, angering Hera, who then transformed Galinthius into a cat and sent her to serve Hecate in the underworld. This tale, popularized by Latin writer Antoninus Liberalis (2nd century CE) in his book Metamorphosis, connected cats with themes of darkness, transformation, and witchcraft, creating unfortunate associations for them over time.
Cats as Demonic Figures
Although cats initially enjoyed a positive reputation in Norse mythology (where Freya rides in a chariot pulled by cats) and in both Ireland and Scotland (where they were viewed as magical), the Christian Church demonized them, linking them to witchcraft and evil. Medieval writer Walter Map (c. 1140-1210 CE) portrayed cats as demonic entities in his writings (though he might have been joking), and there are records of cats being ritually killed in Cambridge, England, in the early 13th century CE.
The situation worsened after Pope Gregory IX issued the Vox in Rama papal bull in 1233 CE, branding cats as evil and allied with Satan, particularly targeting black cats. Although not all common folks read this document, the Church’s negative view on cats undoubtedly seeped down to the general populace.
Many argue that the mass killing of cats allowed rodent populations to flourish, leading to the outbreak of the Bubonic Plague in 1348 CE. While this theory has been debated, it’s widely accepted that a decrease in the cat population would increase the number of rats and mice. Even though more recent studies suggest that the plague spread primarily through human interaction—not directly from rodents—people at the time didn’t know the actual cause of the disease and connected cats to misfortune.
Desmond Morris notes, “Due to the perception of cats as evil, writers attributed all sorts of terrifying powers to them. It was believed their teeth were venomous, their flesh poisonous, their fur deadly, and their breath infectious.” He adds that even in 1658, Edward Topsel wrote, “the familiars of Witches do most ordinarily appear in the shape of Cats, which is an argument that this beast is dangerous to soul and body.” People began to shun not just cats but anyone who showed too much affection toward them, especially elderly women caring for cats, who were often accused of witchcraft.
The Victorian Age and Cat Vindication
During the Victorian Age (1837-1901 CE), superstitions surrounding cats lessened, and they were treated as pampered pets again. This change came about during the Enlightenment of the 18th century, a time when reason prevailed over superstition. The Protestant Reformation diminished the Church’s influence over public opinion, allowing people to form their own beliefs about cats.
Queen Victoria of Great Britain, who previously favored dogs, developed an interest in cats thanks to the many stories emerging from archaeological findings in Egypt. These tales showcased the Egyptians’ reverence toward cats, featuring images of Bastet and their connection to royalty. The queen adopted two Blue Persian cats, treating them like members of her court. News of her affection for cats spread, leading more people to want feline companions.
This trend reached the United States, encouraged by Godey’s Lady’s Book, a popular magazine at the time. Published by Louis A. Godey from 1830 to 1878, the magazine featured various content and helped popularize the Christmas tree tradition in America, along with advocating for women’s rights and education.
When Sarah Josepha Hale joined Godey’s in 1836, she enhanced its reputation and circulation significantly. In an 1860 article, she argued that cats weren’t just for older women or royals but should be embraced by everyone for their “love and virtue.” After this article, cat popularity surged in the U.S. Cats were thought to have arrived in North America in 1749 CE from England, initially for pest control, but their status shifted during the Victorian era largely due to the influence of Godey’s Lady’s Book and Hale’s contributions.
Popularity of Cats
Numerous writers of the time adored their cats. Charles Dickens was known to let his cats roam in his study, even allowing his favorite cat to extinguish the candle on his writing desk while he worked. Other notable cat lovers included Mark Twain, William Wordsworth, John Keats, Thomas Hardy, and Lewis Carroll, who famously created the whimsical Cheshire Cat in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
The first major cat show took place in London’s Crystal Palace in 1871 CE, elevating feline appreciation to new heights. For the first time, cats were categorized into “specific standards and classes,” a system still in use today. Following this event, cat shows gained popularity, and interest in breeding and showcasing cats spread through Europe and North America. The first American cat show in 1895 CE drew so much excitement that it took place at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. From being pest controllers to revered beings and then targets of evil lore, cats have been close companions to humans for centuries and continue to be cherished friends all over the globe today, carrying forward the legacy of ancient admiration for these fascinating animals.
