Incitatus the treatment of Incitatus by Caligula was an elaborate prank, intended to ridicule and provoke the senate, rather than a sign of insanity, or perhaps a form of satire, with the implication that a horse could perform a senator's duties. Barrett notes that "Many stories were spread about Incitatus, originating most likely from Caligula's own humorous quips." "Possibly out of perverted sense of humor Caligula would pour libations to Incitatus' "salus" [health and well-being], and claimed that he intended to co-opt him as his priest." Ancient sources are clear that the horse was never actually made a consul. Incitatus Incitatus
Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor from the donkey. To add to this debasement, they were made to announce, ""Ecco la fica"" (meaning "behold the fig"), with the feces still in their mouths. It used to be said that the insulting gesture, (called fico), of holding one's fist with the thumb in between the middle and forefinger came by its origin from this event. Frederick's first marriage, to Adelheid of Vohburg, did not produce any children and was annulled. From his second marriage, to Beatrice of Burgundy, he had the following children: Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I (, ; 1122 – 10 June 1190),