Incitatus facts for kids
Incitatus (pronounced "in-kih-TAH-tus") was the favorite horse of a Roman Emperor named Caligula. His name means "swift" or "at full gallop." Caligula was an emperor from 37 to 41 AD.
Stories say that Caligula wanted to make Incitatus a consul, which was a very important leader in ancient Rome. However, old writings confirm this never actually happened. Legend also says Incitatus had many servants, lived in a fancy marble stable, wore a harness with jewels, and ate from an ivory bowl. He was even said to wear purple, a color usually worn by royalty.
Stories About Incitatus
Ancient writers shared many tales about Incitatus. One writer, Suetonius, who lived around 121 AD, wrote that Caligula planned to make Incitatus a consul. He also said the horse would "invite" important people to dinner at a special house. Suetonius described Incitatus's stable as being made of marble, with an ivory eating trough, purple blankets, and a collar covered in precious stones.
Another writer, Cassius Dio, who lived later (165–235 AD), mentioned that Incitatus had servants and was fed oats mixed with gold flakes. He also wrote that Caligula made the horse a priest.
Was It True?
Many historians today wonder if these stories about Incitatus are completely true. They think that later Roman writers, like Suetonius and Dio Cassius, might have exaggerated or changed the stories. This could have been to make earlier emperors, like Caligula, look bad. Also, exciting and unusual stories often made their writings more popular.
Some experts believe that Caligula's actions with Incitatus might have been a big joke. Perhaps he wanted to make fun of the Roman Senate, which was a group of important leaders. It might have been a way to show that even a horse could do the job of a senator, which would have been quite a statement!
Historian Anthony A. Barrett suggested that many of these stories came from Caligula's own funny comments. He might have joked about making Incitatus a priest or pouring drinks to wish the horse good health. It's important to remember that ancient sources are clear: Incitatus was never actually made a consul.
Incitatus in Books and Art
Incitatus has appeared in many stories, plays, and other works over the centuries. People often use the horse as an example when talking about silly or bad political decisions.
- In a play called The Cherry Orchard (1904) by Anton Chekhov, a character jokes that his family came from "that very nag Caligula inducted into the Senate."
- In the book I, Claudius by Robert Graves, Incitatus is shown as becoming a senator. The book says he was even on the list to become a consul.
- The 2000 BBC Radio 4 comedy Me and Little Boots told Caligula's story from Incitatus's point of view.
- In the comic series Jack of Fables (2006–2011), Incitatus is a character who talks a lot and often mentions his past as a Roman senator.
- A progressive metal band is named Caligula's Horse after Incitatus.
- The 2018 novel The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan features Incitatus as a character who causes trouble.
See also
In Spanish: Incitatus para niños
- List of historical horses
- Non-human electoral candidates
