Cats and Dogs in Minoan Crete
In ancient Crete, the animals may have fared better. Golden dogs were sacred to the goddess Diktynna. A golden dog was also said to protect the god Zeus. Some believe that this "golden dog" still survives on Crete, and may be the oldest surviving type of domesticated dog.
Domestic cats may have originally arrived as imports from Egypt, and they appear on the earlies Minoan seal stones. Minoans also had pet monkeys and other exotic animals; even lions may have survived on the island until the beginning of Minoan civilization.
Walk Around Crete in 50 Days
Going in Circles with the Ancient Minoans
