Alice White
#7 An amazing legend is associated with the ancestors of the Egyptian Mau, which emphasizes the importance of cats.
So, the Persian king Cambyses from the Achaemenid dynasty won an easy victory over the Egyptians in 525 BC. e. thanks to these animals. On his orders, the soldiers captured the cats and tied them to their shields. The fear of Bastet's sacred companions became a decisive factor: the townspeople laid down their arms because they did not want to harm the cats.
#8 Despite its ancient origins, the history of the more modern descendants of the Egyptian Mau began in the 20th century, when European cat breeders decided to revive and breed a unique breed.
The first mentions of that time date back to 1940, namely the publication in France of the memoirs "Our Cat Friends". In them, Marcel Rene talked about the spotted animals that he brought from Egypt. Unfortunately, the events of World War II significantly reduced the number of Mau. The breed was on the verge of extinction and by the middle of the 20th century, it practically ceased to exist.
#9 Official recognition of the breed by felinological organizations began in 1968, when CFF representatives approved the Mau standard.
The Egyptian "fever" was picked up by other organizations: CFA (1977), TICA (1988), FIFe (1992). A new breed from the Land of the Pharaohs was also recognized by the lesser-known ASC, ICU, WCF. Pedigree and pedigree records were used to register each cat.
