(image credit: byĀ David Dibert)
In one of the most bizarre stories from ancient history, Roman Emperor Caligula allegedly tried to appoint his horse as a senator. While debated by historians, this tale reveals the eccentric excesses of imperial power in Romeāand offers a glimpse into the madness of rule by absolute authority.
Introduction: Power, Madness, and a Horse in the Senate?
When we think of Roman emperors, images of grand architecture, gladiator games, and military conquests come to mind. But the reign of Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, better known as Caligula, is often remembered for something far more absurdāhis beloved horse Incitatus.
According to ancient historians like Suetonius and Cassius Dio, Caligula didnāt just love his horseāhe worshipped it. Lavishing Incitatus with extravagant gifts, he allegedly gave it:
A marble stable
An ivory manger
Purple blankets (the color of royalty)
A collar of precious stones
A house complete with servants and furniture
The Infamous Senate Rumor
But the most outrageous claim? That Caligula planned to make Incitatus a Roman senator. Suetonius, writing decades later, noted that the emperor made this move either as a jokeāor as an insult to the Senate, suggesting that even his horse could do a better job.
Some scholars today believe this was a form of political satire or imperial mockery, not a literal plan. Still, it reflects just how erratic and unpredictable Caligula had become during his short, chaotic reign from AD 37 to 41.
Symbolism or Sanity Slipping?
Whether or not the appointment actually happened, the story speaks volumes about Caligulaās reign:
Absolute Power: As emperor, Caligula had no checks and balances. His word was law.
Ego and Isolation: Surrounded by sycophants, he lost touch with reality.
Mockery of Tradition: Elevating a horse mocked the institutions of Roman governance.
Conclusion: Horse or Hype?
The legend of Incitatus may be exaggeratedāor even fabricatedābut it endures as a striking example of the strange and surreal in Roman history. Caligulaās horse isnāt just a footnote; itās a symbol of how power without accountability can gallop into absurdity.
