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Bucephalus

Horse

Bucephalus was the favorite horse of world-beating Macedonian Alexander the Great. According to the historian Plutarch, as a boy Alexander tamed the wild Bucephalus by turning his head towards the sun, thereby preventing the horse from being frightened of his own shadow. (Plutarch says the incident so impressed Alexander's father, King Philip, that he told the boy "Look thee out a kingdom equal to and worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is too little for thee.") Alexander named the horse Bucephalus ("ox-head") because the horse's head seemed as broad as a bull's. Bucephalus carried Alexander on many military campaigns and finally died in battle; Alexander reportedly wept at the horse's burial and founded the city of Bucephala to commemorate his horse's deeds.

Bucephalus and Alexander appear with Roy Rogers and Trigger in our loop Seven Horses of Highly Effective People.

Four Good Links

Bucephalus

The quick version of the story, from Equinet

Bucephalus

The story and more on Alexander and Macedonia

Bucephalus

From Plutarch's description, part of a larger site on Alexander

Bucephalus

A bit more, with images

Vital Stats

Birth

?

Birthplace

Macedonia

Death

326 B.C.
(killed in battle)

Best Known As

Steed of Alexander the Great

Something in Common with Bucephalus