Cats in Ancient Egypt: When Cats Literally Ruled the World
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- 3 min read
If you’ve ever suspected your cat thinks they’re royalty…You’re not wrong. You’re just a few thousand years late. Welcome to ancient Egypt, where cats weren’t just adored, they were basically running the show.
I am personally obsessed and always have been with all things ancient Egypt. I think I ended up speeding through the remainder of the Louvre after over-styaing my welcome in the Egyptian artifacts room. So, naturally I am obsessed with why cats were so beloved and revered in this ancient culture.
The Original “Tiny House Predator”
Before cats were knocking your water glass off the table for sport, they were actually contributing members of society.
Ancient Egyptians loved cats because they:
Took out mice like tiny, fluffy assassins
Handled snakes (including cobras - no problem!)
Protected food supplies like unpaid security guards
So, yes. Your cat’s ancestors had jobs.Yours? HR would like a word.
Enter: Bastet — Patron Saint of Vibes
At some point, Egyptians looked at cats and said,“Hmm… this feels divine.”
And thus, Bastet was born - the ultimate cat goddess.
She started off fierce (lioness energy), but eventually evolved into:
Protector of the home
Guardian of women
Goddess of joy, music, and good times
Her main party spot? Bubastis, where festivals in her honor included dancing, celebration, and let’s just say, not a dry goblet in sight. So basically, Bastet was the original hostess of the most iconic brunch ever.
Hurt a Cat? Straight to Jail.
We joke about being “servants” to our cats today. And yes, my cat, Lulu, thinks she's Cleopatra. Ancient Egyptians made it official.
According to Herodotus (who was clearly shook by all of this):
Killing a cat, even accidentally, could get you executed
Families mourned cats like humans
People shaved their eyebrows as a sign of grief
Imagine explaining that at work:“Hey, I’ll be out this week. My cat passed and my eyebrows need processing time.”
Mummified… Because Of Course They Were
You thought your cat was extra?
Ancient Egyptians were like:“Let’s preserve this one forever.”
Cats were mummified for two reasons:
Beloved pets = afterlife companions
Offerings to Bastet = spiritual brownie points
Thousands of cat mummies have been discovered, wrapped, honored, and occasionally mass-produced like sacred collectibles. Yes. Bulk cat mummification was a thing.
Cats: The Ultimate Home Decor Accessory
Cats weren’t just living in Egyptian homes. They were featured.
Painted into tombs (immortalized and unbothered)
Turned into jewelry and protective amulets
Sculpted into statues that still look more composed than we ever will
Meanwhile, modern cats are still out here sitting in boxes instead of the expensive beds we buy them.
Some things never change.
Slightly Unhinged (But True) Facts
Cats sometimes wore gold jewelry (as they should)
Some had their own servants (honestly fair)
During fires, people saved cats before their belongings
Exporting cats was illegal—Egypt literally said, “These are ours”
And frankly? Respect.
Now, I know what you're asking yourself right about now.
Did Cleopatra Have a Cat?
I’d Iove to tell you Cleopatra had a jeweled collar-wearing cat named something fabulous like Nefertiti Jr. But history isn’t giving us that level of detail. What we do know:
During Cleopatra’s reign, cats were still considered sacred-ish, protected, and very much part of daily life. So while there’s no official record of her personal cat, let’s be honest: you don’t run an Egyptian palace without at least one cat silently judging everyone in the room.
Probably from a gold cushion.
So… Has Anything Really Changed?
Ancient Egyptians believed cats were:
Divine
Superior
Worthy of protection and admiration
Modern cat owners believe cats are:
Divine
Superior
Worthy of protection and admiration
The only real difference? We don’t mummify them anymore. Well...yet.
Final Thought
Your cat knocking things off the counter? That’s not chaos. That’s legacy.
Because thousands of years ago, cats weren’t just pets. They were worshipped.
And honestly? They never forgot it.
Comfort Diva celebrates the "royal treatment" of Cleopatra, cats and you in our Catnap Self-Care Gift Box. Learn more and check it out at the link above.
