Origin of cats and their rise

Cats in ancient Egypt adorned in gold.

History of cats started way back to the ancient Egyptians 4000 years ago. The Egyptians domesticated cat to control vermin which was harming crop and causing disease. Cats being very good at catching rats attracted them to stay at the place and not leave it. Because of this the way of living of Egyptians changed and cats became a symbol of life thus becoming sacred creatures.They were associated with Goddess Bastet,who was considered the God of well being, fertility and goddess of cat.
Exporting a cat out of Egypt and killing a cat,both were punishable by death.

Goddess Bastet;The Goddess of cat.

During battle of Pelusium (between Egypt and Persia), Persians made representation of Bastet on their armour because of which the Egyptians could not attack them and lost the battle.Thus, letting out cats of Egypt by Persians. That's how the cat spread across the world.

Mummified Cat.

Death of a cat in a family was evidenced by deep mourning and all the members of family shaving off their eyebrows. They came out of mourning when the eyebrows grew back.

The status of cats were so high that they were even mummified and then buried.
The Pharaohs buried were guarded by cat statues on either side.

Images from Google image.