Although it was long believed that cats were first domesticated in Egypt around 4,000 years ago, emerging evidence shows that their presence among humans dates back much earlier in history. Wild cats are known to have lived alongside humans in Mesopotamia over 100,000 years ago, and by around 12,000 BCE, they were domesticated at the same time as dogs, sheep, and goats.

Dr. Andrew Kitchener, a zoologist at the National Museums of Scotland and the head of the research team, wrote:

“This shows that the origin of domestic cats lies not in Ancient Egypt, as the prevailing theory suggests, but in much earlier times—in Mesopotamia.”

All domestic cats belong to the Felis genus, which appeared about 3.36 million years ago. The sand cat, jungle cat, black-footed cat, European wildcat, and the domestic cat are all close relatives and part of the Felis genus. The domestic cat is specifically a member of the wildcat species Felis lybica, which lived in the Near East, Africa, and Asia.

Cats in Ancient Egypt

Egyptian culture was famously devoted to cats. Exporting cats from Egypt was strictly prohibited. The government had an entire department dedicated to this matter. State officials were dispatched to foreign countries to locate and return smuggled cats. By 450 BCE, it was explicitly stated that killing a cat was punishable by death (and this law had reportedly existed even earlier).

The goddess Bastet, often depicted as a woman with the head of a cat or as a full cat, was one of the most revered deities in the Egyptian pantheon. Bastet was the protector of women, households, privacy, and was also the goddess of cats and guardian against evil spirits and disease.

When a house caught fire, the first priority of Egyptians was to save the cats. They would often run back into burning buildings or form circles around flames to protect the cats from harm.

When a cat died, according to Herodotus: “All the inhabitants of the household would shave their eyebrows.” The dead cats were mummified and buried in sacred wrappings, usually in Bubastis. People believed the mourning period ended when their eyebrows grew back. Cat mummies have been found throughout Egypt, sometimes buried with their owners or in specially designated cat cemeteries. Seals found on these mummies confirm their identities.

Egyptians are also believed to be responsible for the derivation of the word “cat” from the North African word “quattah”, meaning animal. Because of Egypt’s strong association with cats, almost every European language adopted variations of this word: French “chat,” Swedish “katt,” German “katze,” Italian “gatto,” Spanish “gato,” and more. The commonly used terms “puss” or “pussy” in everyday English are also believed to be connected to ancient Egyptian origins.

Cats in India

In India, cats were valued for their usefulness in controlling pests such as mice, rats, and snakes, and therefore found homes in houses, farms, and palaces. Cats are also mentioned in two major ancient Indian epics—the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The famous tale Puss in Boots is believed to be inspired by a much older Indian folktale from the 5th century BCE called Panchatantra.

Persian/Iranian Cats

A Persian folktale claims that cats were created by magic. The great Persian hero Rustum once saved a sorcerer from a gang of thieves during a campaign. He invited the old man to rest in his tent. As they sat by the fire under the stars, the sorcerer asked Rustum what he desired in return for saving his life. Rustum replied that he had everything he wanted—warmth from the fire, the smell of smoke, and the beauty of the stars.

The sorcerer then took a handful of smoke, added fire to it, plucked the two brightest stars from the sky, mixed them in his hands, and blew into them. When he opened his hands, he presented Rustum with a tiny kitten—its eyes shining like stars and its tongue flickering like a spark. Thus, the first Persian cat was created as a symbol of Rustum’s kindness.

The Prophet Muhammad was also known to be very fond of cats. According to legend, the “M” mark on tabby cats’ foreheads is the result of the Prophet placing his hand on the head of his favorite cat and blessing it.

Cats in Greece and Rome

In Greece and Rome, although people did keep cats, they were not primarily seen as hunters like in other cultures. Instead, the Greeks and Romans often used domesticated weasels to control pests. Cats were viewed more as symbols of independence and elegance rather than utility. Despite this, they were kept as pets and well cared for.

It is believed that cats were brought to Europe by Phoenician traders who smuggled them out of Egypt. The Phoenicians, known for their wide-ranging trade with many civilizations, likely contributed to the cat’s spread across the region.

Cats as Demonic Figures

Although cats initially maintained their revered status in Europe, the Christian Church later began to demonize them, along with other important pagan symbols. Leveraging the long-standing association between cats and witchcraft, the Church began to equate cats with evil and the devil.

Pope Gregory IX (1227–1241) issued a papal decree known as Vox in Rama in 1233, declaring cats—especially black ones—as agents of the devil. This led to widespread killing of cats throughout Europe.

Europeans came to believe that cats, especially those associated with elderly women, were evil omens. These women, often seen caring for cats, became easy targets for witchcraft accusations and persecution.

The mass killing of cats is believed to have contributed to the rise in rat and mouse populations. These rodents carried fleas that spread the Bubonic Plague in 1348. While the theory is debated, the decrease in cat populations and the subsequent rise in vermin are widely acknowledged as facts.

Victorian Era and the Redemption of Cats

During the Victorian Era (1837–1901), cats regained the high status they once held in Ancient Egypt. They managed to escape the superstitions that haunted other animals. In the Enlightenment of the 18th century, cats returned to their rightful place as beloved companions, thanks to a new paradigm that overcame previous myths.

The power of the Church had been broken by the Protestant Reformation (1517–1648), and during the Enlightenment, people were free to believe what they truly wanted—about cats and everything else.

Sources:

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Johnson, W. E., Eizirik, E., Pecon-Slattery, J., Murphy, W. J., Antunes, A., Teeling, E., & 

O’brien, S. J. (2006). The late Miocene radiation of modern Felidae: a genetic assessment. Science, 311(5757), 73-77.