Satirical ostraca

Satirical ostraca are a category of ostraca (singular: an ostracon) that represent the real world in unrealistic, impossible situations–a satire. The common example portrayed which helped create this categorization, are animals which take reversed roles, for example a vertically–walking cat, with ducks on the end of leashes. The same role reversals can be seen on satirical papyri. This concept is a prevalent feature in absurdist literature, such as in the works of Mikhail Bulgakov.

"Cat Waiting on a Mouse" is Egyptian artwork about 3000 years old that depicts a servant cat presenting offerings in front of a high class rodent.^[1]