Seriously, I'm Not Kitten Trivia Quiz

Answer: Monks

Both monks and nuns in early monasteries broke tradition and kept cat companions indoors, though, interestingly, cats lack a noteworthy mention in the Bible. Sadly, later monasteries took to skinning cats to line clerical habits.

Answer: Puma (mountain lion)

The puma of the Americas, also called mountain lion and panther, was much admired by the ancient Pawnee. It is closely related to the domestic cat, not a "big cat" but relatively silent, agile and an ambush hunter. Black bear and wolf likewise had a place with the "One Above". The Puma's range and numbers are greatly reduced in the USA in the twenty-first century.

Answer: Cry

Buddhists believed cats did no crying or mourning when Buddha passed away and therefore they were cursed. Cats became linked with poverty in the minds of the ancient Chinese, the likely precursor to the "bad luck" still associated with them today in many cultures.

Answer: Roman army

The Roman army viewed cats strictly as utilitarian workers who culled vermin for the soldiers. There was no Fluffy warmed on a soldier's lap, and no sense cats were in any way mysterious or mystical. When the army retreated in the 4th century AD, they left their cats behind in Britain.

Answer: Their witch owners

The Pope and early Christian church in general may have abhorred cats due to their former Greek, Norse and German place among the gods. Widows living alone were suspected to be witches. As often they kept pet cats, the felines were likewise blamed for sorcery. During Lent cats were hung or burned, up into the thousands.

Answer: Emperor

Cats had done a great job shoring up the silk industry for some time, but then found that human homes were preferable. When the silk industry faltered in 1602 due to vermin, the Emperor ordered all pampered house cats released back to the fields. He declared no one could sell, buy, feed or house a cat.

Answer: Crossing of the Mayflower

Cats working on the Mayflower as it made its way to the new world checked the spread of rodents and thereby also protected the limited food stocks. The Mayflower II likewise appreciated their cat, Felix. The original Mayflower is thought to have carried a number of dogs to America, also.

Answer: Sabre-toothed tiger

The Ice Age, about 3 million years ago, killed off grazing herds important to massive cats like the sabre-toothed tiger. The Dinictis, much smaller with deft skills, speed and intelligence, prospered in the harsh environment.

Answer: Mummification

Beloved and revered cats were mummified. Egyptians would grieve and shave their eyebrows when their pet cat died. Many cartoons of these ancient cats do exist, as cats were believed to have quite the sense of humor.

Answer: Aboard ship

Black rats (Rattus rattus), often called ship or roof rats, were rampant on ships. They carried rat fleas who carried the bacterium Yersinia pestis, spreading the terrifying black death long distances. Cats became treasured shipmates, as rat killers. They were also welcomed to docks and in shipyards.