This video segment from Nature provides a background of the history of cats. Over the ages, human beings have viewed cats as both godlike and as demons. In the year 2500 BC in Ancient Egypt, cats were revered and then mummified once they died. These mummies are being studied today. In the Middle Ages, cats were seen as evil demons associated with witchcraft. Cats became welcome household pets when rats became a problem. We also learn about wild cats on the Galapagos Islands and how cats came to America from Europe as rat catchers on commercial vessels.