In ancient Greek mythology, there is no specific god solely dedicated to cats. However, there is a goddess who is associated with felines and often depicted with the head of a lioness or a domestic cat. This goddess is known as Bastet, and she was primarily worshipped in the city of Bubastis in Lower Egypt.
Originally, Bastet was worshipped as a lioness goddess, sharing this role with other deities such as Sekhmet. She was seen as a fierce and protective deity, associated with the sun and war. Over time, her image shifted towards that of a domestic cat, symbolizing her more gentle and nurturing aspects.
Bastet was revered as a goddess of home, fertility, and protection. Cats, particularly domestic cats, were believed to embody her qualities, and they were highly valued and respected. Ancient Egyptians, including the Greeks who were influenced by Egyptian culture, considered cats to be sacred animals and even kept them as pets in their households.
The Greeks referred to Bastet as Ailuros, which translates to “cat” in Koinē Greek. This name highlights the association between the goddess and felines. While Ailuros is not a separate deity, it serves as a way to refer to the cat-like aspects of Bastet.
It is important to note that ancient Greek religion had a pantheon of gods and goddesses, each with their own specific domains and attributes. Cats, though revered, did not have a god exclusively dedicated to them like some other animals or elements of nature.
While there is no specific Greek god of cats, the goddess Bastet, known as Ailuros in Greek, was associated with felines and often depicted with the head of a lioness or domestic cat. She was worshipped in Bubastis and represented both the fierce and protective aspects of a lioness and the gentle and nurturing qualities of a domestic cat.