2. A Cat in Ancient Egypt Did they have the “good life”?
3. Yes! The cat in ancient Egypt was sacred There were many cat-like goddesses such as Bastet and Sekhmet Cats were given the “royal treatment” even to the point of being more important than humans!!! Would your housecat be jealous? I think so. Were cats worshipped?
4. Okay, so we know cats were worshipped. Why? 4,000 years ago the first cats were somewhat domesticated in Egypt They killed mice, asps and other creatures earning the Egyptians a less pest-filled life. In a nutshell, that’s why cats were worshipped. Why Were Cats Worshipped?
5. No, other animals were too! Other worshipped creatures include the jackal, scarab beetles, and cattle. Were only cats worshipped?
6. Cat Goddesses and Their Purposes There were quite a few feline goddesses! Let’s just touch on two.
7. Personally, I call her Bastet. Bastet was a goddess with the head of---what else?---a cat. She was the goddess of merriment, music, dancing, good times…and much more! Other purposes include the harvest, and of course…cats! She and Sekhmet were one goddess at one point, but Bastet was the less ferocious and more mothering side of Sekhmet, though she still held great power as the sister of Ra. Bastet (Bast)
8. Sekhmet was a lion-headed goddess She was known as “the fury in the eye of Ra” Sekhmet is a punisher She is ferocious and is the other part of Bastet (and vice versa) She and Bastet made up one goddess at one point, but Sekhmet was the ferocious and fury-filled half of Bastet Sekhmet loved killing things…whatever those things might be! Sekhmet
10. Here are some reasons why people mummified cats: So their feline could be with them in the afterlife SACRIFICES TO THE GODS! After their precious pet died they wanted to honor him or her further… Mummy Cats?
12. Which god or goddess is your favorite? If so, do you think you know why? Do you know all of their functions? (They often have a “secret” function that they aren’t renowned for. My favorite: Anubis. Why? He’s technically the god of “embalming” but is the god of death. His secret function: being the god of the Underworld (along with Osiris) So what do you think about the Egyptian gods and goddesses?
13. It’s quite easy to do with an Egyptian god or goddess. Just put down the videogames for awhile and then just mentally make up (or write down, or even type!) something, almost anything about the god or goddess. And yes. Anyone can have a favorite god or goddess. It doesn’t matter which is their favorite. Personally my favorite ancient civilization deities (gods/goddesses) are those of the Egyptians. Exercise Your Imagination
14. Thank you for watching my PowerPoint on Cats in Ancient Egypt!
