Os Gatos no Egito Antigo

Summary

This video delves into the fascinating relationship between cats and humans, with a focus on Ancient Egypt. Cats have been our companions for thousands of years, admired for their grace and hunting skills. In Egypt, they were not only pets but sacred creatures, associated with the goddess Bastet. Cats were revered, mummified, and even buried with their owners in special cemeteries. The video explores the cultural, religious, and social roles of cats in ancient times, showing their deep connection to Egyptian society and the divine. It's a captivating look at how these beloved animals became symbols of protection and spirituality.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cats have been human companions for 5,000 to 10,000 years, likely due to their attraction to food remnants and rodents.
• 😀 Cats played an important role in ancient Egypt, being represented in art, sculpture, and even participating in hunts with their owners.
• 😀 Egyptians revered cats, with some being divinized, such as the goddess Bastet, who symbolized motherhood, music, joy, and protection from evil.
• 😀 Egyptians mourned their cats deeply, often shaving their eyebrows in grief and sometimes burying them alongside their owners.
• 😀 Contrary to some beliefs, cats were not sacrificed to accompany their deceased owners. Often, the cat would pass away after its owner.
• 😀 Cats were mummified and placed in special cemeteries, sometimes even with their names inscribed on their tombs.
• 😀 The city of Bubastis (known as Bastet in Greek) was dedicated to the goddess Bastet and was home to a major cat cemetery.
• 😀 Some mummified cats were offered to the goddess Bastet by devotees seeking her intercession, often without the cat being fully intact.
• 😀 The mummification of cats became a commercial enterprise during the Ptolemaic period, with mummified cats being sold as offerings.
• 😀 The Egyptians had a deep connection with animals, unlike modern societies where animals are often pets or work animals. In Egypt, animals held religious and societal importance.

Q & A

What role did cats play in ancient Egyptian society?

Cats were highly revered in ancient Egypt. They were seen as both pets and symbols of divine protection. Cats were integrated into religious rituals, often serving as intermediaries between humans and the gods. Some were even deified, such as the goddess Bastet, who represented motherhood, music, and protection against evil.

How long have cats been living alongside humans?

Cats have been living with humans for between 5,000 and 10,000 years. This long history suggests a deep, mutual relationship between the species.

Why did cats likely start living with humans in ancient times?

It is believed that cats were attracted to human settlements due to the presence of food remnants, which in turn attracted rodents. This likely led to a natural partnership where cats helped control pests, benefiting both humans and cats.

How were cats depicted in ancient Egyptian art?

In ancient Egyptian art, cats were often depicted alongside their owners, in some cases with their young. They were also shown in scenes of hunting, reflecting their importance in daily life and their valued role in Egyptian society.

What did the ancient Egyptians do when their cats died?

When a cat died, Egyptians would go into mourning, sometimes shaving their eyebrows as a sign of grief. Cats were often buried with their owners, and there were even cemeteries specifically for cats. Some cats were embalmed and entombed with intricate offerings.

Was there a goddess associated with cats in ancient Egypt?

Yes, Bastet was the Egyptian goddess associated with cats. She was worshipped as the goddess of fertility, music, and joy, and was also known for her protective qualities, especially in combatting evil forces.

How did cats contribute to ancient Egyptian religious practices?

Cats were revered as sacred animals, often associated with religious symbolism. They played a role in offerings and rituals, where their presence was believed to provide divine protection and blessings. Bastet, as a feline deity, exemplified this connection between cats and the divine.

What is the significance of the city dedicated to Bastet in Egypt?

The city dedicated to Bastet was called Bubastis, later known as 'Bast.' It was an important religious center where many cats were brought as offerings to the goddess. The city became known for its large cat cemeteries, where cats were buried in great numbers.

What was the role of cats in ancient Egyptian funerary practices?

Cats were often involved in funerary practices, sometimes being mummified alongside their owners. This was believed to help the cat protect the deceased in the afterlife. The practice of burying cats with offerings continued for many years, with some animals even being mummified without the body to serve as a ritual offering.

Did cats in ancient Egypt have a commercial value?

Yes, cats, particularly mummified ones, had a commercial value. During the Ptolemaic period, mummified cats were sold as offerings to Bastet, and some of these mummies were empty or contained fake animals. This commercialization highlights the economic importance of cats in Egyptian religious practices.