incitatus

incitatus was the favored horse of roman emperor caligula, who reigned from 37 to 41 ad. according to historical accounts by writers such as suetonius and cassius dio, caligula treated the horse with extraordinary privileges, providing it with a marble stable, an ivory manger, and jeweled decorations. the name incitatus, meaning swift or excited in latin, reflected the horse's apparent importance in the imperial household.

sources claim that caligula intended to appoint incitatus as a consul, one of the highest political positions in rome. the horse was reportedly attended by slaves, ate from a golden plate, and drank wine from a golden goblet. caligula allegedly hosted banquets where he invited incitatus as an honored guest, complete with invitations.

modern historians generally view these accounts with skepticism, as many of the stories about caligula come from hostile sources who may have exaggerated his eccentricities to portray him as a tyrant. nevertheless, the tale of incitatus has become a famous anecdote illustrating roman imperial excess and the alleged madness of caligula's reign. the story has been referenced throughout literature and popular culture as a symbol of absurdity and extravagance.