Cats (Felis catus) are believed to have been domesticated around 9,000 years ago in the Near East. The first domesticated cats likely lived alongside humans as they transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle to settled agriculture. Cats were attracted to early farming communities because of the abundance of rodents, which thrived in grain stores. Humans, in turn, benefited from the presence of cats, as they helped to control the rodent population.
In ancient Egypt, cats were highly revered. They were associated with the goddess Bastet, the deity of home, fertility, and protection. Killing a cat, even by accident, was considered a serious crime in ancient Egypt, and many households kept them as sacred pets. Cats were even mummified and buried with their owners as a sign of their importance in Egyptian society.
As human civilization spread, so did cats. They traveled on ships, controlling vermin on trading vessels and spreading across continents. In medieval Europe, cats were sometimes feared and associated with witchcraft, which led to their persecution. However, by the time of the Renaissance, they had regained their status as useful companions, especially in urban areas where they kept homes free from pests.
