Imagine living in a time where the slightest harm to a cat could cost you your life. In ancient Egypt, this was reality, as cats were not just pets, but sacred protectors linked to a powerful goddess—Bastet. 
Bastet was originally a fierce lioness goddess, symbolizing strong protection and even fertility.
Over time, especially around the New Kingdom, her image softened, and she became more widely known as a gentler cat goddess. This reflected a growing bond between the Egyptian people and their feline companions.
The city of Bubastis, located in the Nile Delta, became the main center for Bastet’s worship around the 1st millennium BC.
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims would travel to Bubastis to honor her, often bringing cat statues and offerings to her massive temples.
This reverence for cats went deep. They were seen as protectors of homes, keeping them safe from creatures like snakes and scorpions, and also guarded precious grain stores from rodents.
Cats were so highly regarded that they were often mummified and buried in large, dedicated cemeteries, a practice showing profound respect. 
Indeed, harming a cat, even accidentally, could lead to very severe punishments.
The worship of Bastet and the reverence for cats continued for roughly 1,500 years in ancient Egypt.
