incitatio

Incitatio was a prominent horse owned by the Roman emperor Caligula. The name incitatio translates from Latin to "swiftness" or "impetuosity." Historical accounts, primarily from Suetonius, describe Caligula's extreme fondness for Incitatus. He lavished the horse with attention and luxurious gifts, including a marble stable and an ivory manger.

The most notorious aspect of Caligula's relationship with Incitatus was the emperor's alleged plan to appoint the horse as a consul. This was seen by many ancient sources as a demonstration of Caligula's madness and his contempt for the Roman Senate and its traditions. While the extent to which this plan was serious or merely a threat is debated by historians, it has become a famous anecdote illustrating Caligula's perceived tyranny and eccentric behavior. Incitatus's high status and the emperor's extraordinary favor towards him became a symbol of Caligula's despotic rule and his disregard for established political norms. The story of Incitatus has been frequently referenced in literature and discussions about power and madness throughout history.