That Darn Cat
One can’t deny the appeal of the cat. Not only is the cat a loveable and treasured pet and member of the family, its appeal is also in its character—mysterious yet mischievous, independent yet affectionate, graceful and beautiful.
In ancient Egypt, the cat was a sacred and respected beast and was worshipped as a god. Cats were valued companions that the Egyptians domesticated and brought indoors; indeed, the punishment for killing or harming a cat was harsh. Cats were worshipped as gods yet they also had a practical function: they chased away snakes and kept mice and rats from stealing from the grain storehouses. The Sphinx is one of the earliest works of Egyptian art and is a representation of a lion with the head of the pharaoh, thus showing the pharaoh's power and importance.
The ancient Greeks and Romans also highly valued cats for their ability to control undesirable rodents. The cat was considered the guardian spirit of a household and the symbol of liberty.