| The next time you sip your morning coffee while | | | | personified in feline appearance, and was |
| watching your favorite pet feline methodically | | | | frequently seen in the form of statues, paintings, |
| groom herself for the day, consider this: your pet | | | | and sculptures of the period. At times Bast was |
| cat might have been revered, even worshipped | | | | depicted with the face and head of a feline. On |
| by Egyptians thousands of years ago. These | | | | other occasions she was portrayed as a wise, |
| ancient Egyptians were a technologically and | | | | regal cat. Bast was eventually given her own |
| intellectually advanced society for their time. What | | | | beautiful temple so that pilgrims could travel to |
| exactly about your pet would they find so | | | | revere her spirit in her own place of worship. |
| worthy of adoration? | | | | Inside this structure, the priests of Bast cared for |
| To better appreciate this race’s amazing | | | | the many temple cats that dwelled in the sanctity |
| allegiance to their four footed companions, one | | | | of this holy place. In time, the sacred practice of |
| must have a modest understanding of history. | | | | mummification was extended to cats, for their |
| The Egyptians wisely utilized the waters from the | | | | owners adored them, revered them, and wished |
| Nile River, and its surrounding fertile soil to grow a | | | | to be with them even in the afterlife. |
| variety of crops. Those seasons when the crops | | | | In modern times, cats are still of importance to |
| failed, the economy suffered horribly, and | | | | society. As the ancient Egyptians correctly |
| thousands of people went without food. This | | | | realized, there are many advantages to having |
| ancient culture relied heavily upon the wild, or feral | | | | cats in the household as well as in the community. |
| cats of their era to protect their prized grains and | | | | Although most cats in modern society are not |
| harvested crops from disease carrying rats and | | | | required to save their owners from deadly |
| mice. With their long, graceful limbs, large eyes, | | | | cobras, many have been known to (depending on |
| and sleek form, these agile felines were perfectly | | | | the local climate) protect against rattlesnakes, |
| suited to catch vermin. It is suggested that | | | | scorpions, poisonous spiders, and disease carrying |
| terrible plagues were avoided just from the cats | | | | rats and mice. Many farms, vineyards, and |
| keeping the local rat population in check. | | | | orchards continue to welcome cats for their ability |
| While feral cats were doing their part to protect | | | | to contain the local pest populations. |
| important Egyptian grains and produce (as well as | | | | Scientists have spent vast sums of money trying |
| the local economy), in their cities and villages, | | | | to unlock the secrets of feline nocturnal vision. |
| domesticated cats served another significant | | | | Cats’ nerves, reflexes, and musculoskeletal |
| purpose. Household cats were bread for their | | | | systems are presently being analyzed with the |
| abilities to protect their beloved owners from | | | | hope of making medical advancements that would |
| snakes, rats, and other harmful pests. Cats were | | | | be of benefit to humankind. Hundreds of years |
| known to risk their lives for their owners, | | | | from today, we will still be learning about our feline |
| attacking and killing venomous cobras to protect | | | | companions, and benefiting from their presence in |
| their families. They kept young children from | | | | many ways. |
| harm, and roamed the houses at night, using | | | | Now would an ancient Egyptian have worshipped |
| teeth and sharpened claws to safeguard the | | | | my pet cat? It’s quite possible. Would I |
| premises. | | | | worship my cat? Possibly, if she were able to |
| The cleverness, resourcefulness, agility, and grace | | | | reorganize my DVD collection, tidy up the kitchen, |
| of the Egyptian’s domesticated cats inspired | | | | and organize my computer desk. I would definitely |
| this ancient culture to associate them with the | | | | have to consider it. |
| goddess Bast. Bast’s spirit was often | | | | |