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Herodotus
Herodotus (c. 484 – 425/413 BCE), a Greek writer who invented the field of study known today as “history”.
Herodotus claims that the Egyptians cared so much for their cats that they placed their safety above human life and property.
Herodotus (c. 484 – 425/413 BCE), a Greek writer who invented the field of study known today as “history”.
Herodotus claims that the Egyptians cared so much for their cats that they placed their safety above human life and property.
When a house caught fire, the Egyptians would concern themselves more with rescuing the cats than with anything else, often running back into the burning building or forming a perimeter around the flames to keep cats at a safe distance.
When a cat died, Herodotus writes: “All the inhabitants of a house shave their eyebrows (as a sign of deep mourning). Cats which have died are taken to Bubastis where they are embalmed and buried in sacred receptacles”.
The period of mourning was considered completed when the people’s eyebrows had grown back.
Mummified cats have been found at Bubastis and elsewhere throughout Egypt, sometimes buried with, or near to, their owners as evidenced by identifying seals on the mummies.
Mummified cats have been found at Bubastis and elsewhere throughout Egypt, sometimes buried with, or near to, their owners as evidenced by identifying seals on the mummies.
