Which horse was the favourite stallion of the Roman emperor Caligula?

Incitatus was the favored horse of Roman emperor Caligula (reigned 37–41 AD). His name is a Latin adjective meaning "swift" or "at full gallop".

People, who knew one of the cruelest Roman emperors, often stated he had a kind of spiritual bond with his famous stallion. It is often said to have been the only thing Caligula ever loved. Anyway, the emperor's contemporaries also witnessed him treating the horse foolishly, which was an actual indication of his deteriorating mental soundness.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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35 Comments

billyboy915

"Treating the horse foolishly"? What does that mean? Is that some sort of euphemism?

Coral Harvey

Incitacus means to kill or to murder. I never knew incitatus means swifty. Maybe both words combined means to kill swiftly.

Kat

Since Caligula was completely mad, this isn't a big surprise - treating his favourite horse better than he ever treated humans. It was also possibly a symptom of the coming decline of the Roman Empire.

Andy the educated troglodyte

Vince Savage, John Hurt's finest hour for me, he was magnificent

Jim Adams

Wow what a SWAG!

Wayne Roberts

Only knew Bucephalus was Alexandria’s horse, rest never heard of!

james parrillo

scottlarock, I appreciate your information. As adults, if taught at all how to think and behave, each person must choose adequate and proper conduct. It is a choice to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. Thank you, Christine, James's wife

Peter Robertson

Eric Leif Peters, Think that is a myth,but I note,in true American style,you bore us with your arcane party politics. Tweedledum and tweedledummer sums up the current state of your political parties