All cats were known as "miu" often translated as "he or she who mews". Cats were seen as semi-divine so people can not own them as pets. Only the pharaoh was allowed to own a cat. All cats were protected by law so harming a cat was punishable. It was illegal to export cats to neighboring countries. Some people smuggled cats to other countries. Some people were caught and were punished.
People loved cats so much that they would often paint cats
on their family tombs.Cats were also important in the understanding of dreams. Apparently, seeing a cat in your dream means that you would have a good harvest. There are also people who went to hunt animals with their cats.
on their family tombs.Cats were also important in the understanding of dreams. Apparently, seeing a cat in your dream means that you would have a good harvest. There are also people who went to hunt animals with their cats.
Herodotus, a Greek historian, said that when a house was on fire, men would stand around the house to prevent cats from running into the house. This story might not be true but it does tell us about the high status of cats in ancient Egypt.
Herodotus also said that the Persians used the Egyptian's love of cats against them. The Persians captured a large number of cats and let them loose on the battlefield. When the Egyptians saw the terrified cats running around the battlefield, they surrendered rather than risk harm to their cute friends.
Herodotus also said that the Persians used the Egyptian's love of cats against them. The Persians captured a large number of cats and let them loose on the battlefield. When the Egyptians saw the terrified cats running around the battlefield, they surrendered rather than risk harm to their cute friends.