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
Roman emperor he turned down supreme authority in exchange for a collection of various powers and offices, which in itself was a demonstration of his "auctoritas" ("authority"). As holding "princeps senatus", the emperor declared the opening and closure of each Senate session, declared the Senate's agenda, imposed rules and regulation for the Senate to follow, and met with foreign ambassadors in the name of the Senate. Being "pontifex maximus" made the emperor the chief administrator of religious affairs, granting him the power to conduct all religious ceremonies, consecrate temples, control the Roman calendar (adding or removing days as needed), appoint the vestal