Скачать или смотреть How Cats Became Gods: Bastet and the Sacred Felines of Egypt

In ancient Egypt, cats were venerated as sacred beings and protectors of homes, considered incarnations of the goddess Bastet The veneration of cats was centered in the city of Bubastis, where a massive temple to Bastet attracted hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. The goddess wasn't always seen as a gentle domestic cat; she originally manifested as a fierce lioness deity symbolizing raw power and protection. Over centuries, her image softened, reflecting the growing bond between Egyptians and felines. This reverence was also practical, as cats protected precious grain harvests from rodents and homes from snakes. The blend of the divine and the useful led to cats being so highly regarded that they were often mummified by the thousands and buried in vast, dedicated cemeteries, a final honor for the sacred animals of Egypt.