subject: Historical Facts About Fantastic Cats [print this page] The humble yet dignified house cat has been a faithful companion to humans for thousands of years. Few will argue that cats cannot be owned and will ultimately decide where they want to stay.
Although most never see beyond the fluffy little moggy curled up on the sofa, or the playful images shown in funny animal pictures on sites like "I Can Has Cheezburger?", the cat has played as integral a part in history as almost any other animal.
The ancient Egyptians regarded the cat as a sacred creature. These small companions fascinated the Egyptians, and were venerated by all. It was in Egypt that the cat was first domesticated 4,000 years ago, and where they were held in the most admiration and respect.
Cats were not only protected by virtually every resident of Egypt, but also by the law. So powerful, in fact, was the devotion of the Egyptian culture to the cat, that if a human killed a feline (either intentionally or unintentionally) that human was sentenced to death.
Records from the period show that laws were set that also forbid the exportation of cats, though more often than not, many were smuggled to the neighbouring Mediterranean countries. It was not uncommon for entire armies to be sent to recapture these cats from the foreign lands and bring them safely back to their homeland.
During the Middle Ages, cats were not such common pets and were viewed more in practical terms as mousers and ratters, helping to keep houses, barns and gardens free of vermin.
Throughout history, cats have been regarded as gods, guardians, companions and workers, inspiring poems, books, Broadway shows and films, including the 1992 Stephen King film 'Sleepwalkers'.
So although sites that feature funny animal videos and pictures depict them as an undeniable source of whimsy (which they certainly are sometimes), the cats' aura of supernatural wisdom and independence continues to ensure they're definitely here to stay as a favorite household pet and companion.
