Bucephalus later versions of the Alexander Romance also synchronized the hour of their death. The pair forged a sort of cult in that, after them, it was all but expected of a conqueror that he have a favourite horse. Julius Caesar had one; so too did the eccentric Roman Emperor Caligula, who made a great fuss of his horse Incitatus, holding birthday parties for him, riding him while adorned with Alexander's breastplate, and planning to make him a consul. Bucephalus is referenced in art and literature. Paintings of Charles Le Brun's Alexandrine subjects, including Bucephalus, survive today in the Louvre. One
Holy Roman Emperor with very few exceptions, taken on a role as promoters and defenders of Christianity . The title of "Emperor" became defunct in Western Europe after the death of Julius Nepos in AD 480, although the rulers of the barbarian kingdoms continued to recognize the Eastern Emperor at least nominally well into the 6th century; both the title and connection between Emperor and Church continued in the Eastern Roman Empire until 1453, when it fell to the forces of the Ottoman Empire. In the west, the title of Emperor ("") was revived in 800, which also renewed ideas of imperial–papal cooperation.