The streets of ancient Athens in the years before the Persian Wars (490-479 BCE) seemed empty after sundown. Cats were scarce since they were far less common pets than dogs, goats, snakes, birds, rabbits or cicadas. The domesticated cat first appeared in Egypt where she had arrived in a semi-wild condition from Libya or the Middle East approximately 4000 years ago. The Egyptians welcomed her, in large part because of their respect for the goddess Bast, whose favorite animal was the lion. It is obviously much easier to keep a cat as opposed to a lion and the Egyptians gave themselves wholeheartedly to “maou”, their new feline companion.