Cincinnatus

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"With one hand he returns the fasces, symbol of power as appointed dictator of Rome. His other hand holds the plow, as he resumes the life of a citizen and farmer." — A statue of Cincinnatus in Cincinnati, Ohio.

For other uses, see (disambiguation)}}}.

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus (519 BC) was an ancient Roman political figure, serving as consul in 460 BC and Roman dictator in 458 BC and 439 BC.

Cincinnatus was viewed by later historians as one of the heroes of early Rome and as a model of Roman virtue and simplicity. As a persistent opponent of the plebeians, he resisted the proposal of Terentilius to draw up a code of written laws applicable equally to patricians and plebeians. He lived in humble circumstances, working on his own small farm. His career has become so tied up in legend that extracting actual events is nearly impossible; he is a semi-legendary figure.

Dictatorship

Cincinnatus' first term as dictator began when the Aequi tribe from the east and the Volscians from the southeast began to menace Rome. The Roman Senate pleaded with Cincinnatus to assume the mantle of dictator in order to save the city.

According to analysts, Cincinnatus had settled into a life of farming and knew that his departure might mean starvation for his family if the crops went unsown in his absence. He assented to the request anyway and within sixteen days had defeated the Aequi and the Volscians. His immediate resignation of his absolute authority with the end of the crisis has often been cited as an example of good leadership, service to the public good, and the virtue of modesty.

He came out of retirement again during his second term as dictator (439 BC) to put down a revolt by the plebeians.

Mural honoring Cincinnatus on the Brotherhood Building in Cincinnati.

Legacy

Named in his honor are the town of Cincinnato, Italy and the American Society of the Cincinnati (for which the city of Cincinnati, Ohio was named).
George Washington, General of the American Revolution and the first President of the United States, was considered a latter-day Cincinnatus; he did not seek political power after winning the Revolutionary War in 1783, and even after being elected President, he retired permanently after two terms of office.

References

Livy, Ab Urbe Condita, iii. 26-29

"…it was determined that a dictator should be appointed to retrieve their shattered fortunes, Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus was appointed by universal consent.

It is worthwhile for those persons who despise all things human in comparison with riches, and who suppose that there is no room either for exalted honour, or for virtue, except where riches abound in great profusion, to listen to the following…"

[Project Gutenberg version of Ab Urbe Condita]

Dionysius of Halicarnassus Roman Antiquities, x. 23-25
Florus, Epitome de T. Livio Beliorism omnium annorum DCC Libri duo, i. 11
Schwegler, Römische Geschichte, bk. xxviii. 12
Sir George Cornewall Lewis, Credibility of early Roman History, ch. xii. 40
W. Ihne, History of Rome, i.
E. Pais, Storia di Roma, i. ch. 4 (1898)

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