Rome fell, but not the chicken: The peculiar story of a Roman emperor's favourite pet

Born in 384 AD, Honorius assumed the throne at a tender age of 10 in 395 AD upon the death of his father Theodosius I.

Known more for his reclusive tendencies and love for animals than his political prowess, Honorius often seemed more interested in his menagerie than the intricate affairs of the state.

The most famous member of his menagerie was a rooster named Rome, upon whom Honorius lavished particular attention.

Legend has it that Honorius valued Rome's company over even his courtiers. But why did a Roman Emperor become so attached to a chicken?

Was it merely the eccentricity of an out-of-touch leader?

Or did it carry a deeper symbolic meaning?

Many scholars believe that the naming of the chicken 'Rome' was not accidental. Rome, the once invincible capital of the Western Roman Empire, was at this time under constant threat from various barbarian tribes.

Just as Rome, the city, was the center of Honorius's world, so too was Rome, the chicken, at the heart of his personal universe.

Perhaps, in his own peculiar way, Honorius sought to demonstrate control over his crumbling empire through his dominance over Rome, the chicken.

Others suggest that it may have been an attempt to garner divine favor, as chickens were often associated with augury in ancient Roman religious practices.

One of the most famous anecdotes related to Rome, the chicken, involves the sack of Rome, the city, in 410 AD.

The Visigoths, under King Alaric, had laid siege to Rome, and it was during this tumultuous period that a messenger arrived at the court of Honorius in Ravenna.

In his notable work, 'History of the Wars,' Procopius recounts that Honorius, upon hearing the message "Rome has perished," was initially struck with panic, assuming that the grim news referred to his cherished chicken.

Distraught, Honorius reportedly exclaimed, "But it has just taken food from my hand!"

Realizing the Emperor's confusion, the eunuch clarified that it was the city of Rome that had fallen to Alaric's forces, not his beloved fowl.

Honorius, according to this account, was quick to respond with a sigh of relief, "I feared that it was my beloved rooster that had perished."

The story of Honorius and his chicken named Rome is certainly a captivating one.

However, it's important to remember that much of our understanding of historical events, particularly those from the distant past, is filtered through the lenses and biases of the sources we have available.

The tale of Honorius mistaking the fall of Rome for the death of his chicken comes to us from the Byzantine historian Procopius, who lived and wrote more than a century after Honorius's reign.

His account could be seen as part of a broader narrative that portrays the later Roman emperors as decadent and out of touch, a narrative that helped to legitimize the Byzantine Empire as the true successor to Rome's legacy.

Many historians are skeptical about the literal truth of the story. It seems more likely that it was a piece of satire or political commentary, intended to highlight Honorius's perceived disinterest in his imperial duties.

At the same time, the tale has an element of believability, given what we know of Honorius's fondness for animals and his reclusive personality.

That said, while the story is often repeated due to its humor and irony, most historians would caution against accepting it at face value.

As with any historical anecdote, it is essential to consider its source, context, and the potential motivations of the people who recorded and passed it down.