Download Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus (519 BC – 430 BC

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
(519 BCE – 430 BCE)
Cincinnatus was a Roman statesman who gained fame for his selfless devotion to the
republic in a time of crisis and for giving up the reins of power when the crisis was over.
Although he was a historical figure, his career has been much embellished by legend.
In 458 Cincinnatus was appointed dictator at Rome in order to rescue a portion of the
army that was surrounded by the invading Aequian army on Mount Algidus. When the
call to duty came up he was found working his small farm. He accepted the request of the
Senate to lead the Roman Army. He defeated the enemy in a single day and celebrated a
triumphant return to Rome. Cincinnatus maintained his authority only long enough to
bring Rome through the emergency—a mere fifteen days. He then resigned and went
back to his farm.
Setting: Italy, 458 B.C. Roman Consuls: Minucius and Nautius
Background: The Aequian tribe (a former Roman ally), led by Gracchus, breaks peace
treaty and invades Rome.
The Senate, on the envoys' return, instructed one consul to proceed against Gracchus and
the other to direct an invasion of Aequian territory. The tribunes (representatives) proved
true to form by trying to obstruct the raising of troops—and might, indeed, have
succeeded, had not a fresh cause for alarm presented itself in an unexpected move by the
Aequian army. A large force of these soldiers nearly penetrated the walls of Rome; crops
in the countryside were ruined and everyone in the city felt this seriously threatened his
safety.
In these circumstances the commoners were willing enough to enlist and despite the
tribunes' protests two large armies were drafted. One of was under Nautius's command
and they took the field against the Aequians. Nautius fortified a position at Eretum and
proceeded to send out a series of raiding-parties, usually under cover of darkness, into
enemy territory. These parties, none of which was numerically strong, did so much
damage that the Aequian raids on Roman territory seemed to have been comparatively
harmless. Minucius, on the other hand, whether by ill luck or lack of enterprise, was less
successful. He refused to take any further risks and stayed within the fortifications of his
camp, not far from the enemy lines. Such timidity, naturally enough, was a boost to the
enemy's confidence, and they boldly attacked Minucius's camp during the night. The
attack failed, but next day the Aequians set to work to wall in Minucius and his men with
earthworks. Before these were completed and every exit barred, five men were ordered
out to ride through the enemy posts and carry to Rome the news that the consul and his
army were under siege. Nothing could have been more unexpected. The city was thrown
into a state of turmoil, and the general alarm was as great as if Rome itself were
surrounded. Nautius was sent for, but it was quickly decided that he was not the man to
inspire full confidence. The situation evidently called for a dictator, and, with no dissent,
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus was named for the post.
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Now I would imagine that many believe that money is everything in the world, and that
rank and ability are inseparable from wealth. Let them observe that Cincinnatus, the one
man in whom Rome placed all her hope of survival, who was at that moment working a
little three-acre farm west of the Tiber River.
A mission from the city found him at work on his land digging a ditch. Greetings were
exchanged, and he was asked to put on his toga and hear the Senate's instructions. This
naturally surprised him, and, asking if all were well, told his wife Racilia to run to their
cottage and fetch his toga. The toga was brought, and wiping the grimy sweat from his
hands and face he put it on. At once the envoys from the city saluted him, with
congratulations as Dictator, invited him to Rome, and informed him of the terrible danger
of Minucius's army.
A state vessel was waiting for him on the river, and on the city bank he was welcomed by
his three sons who had come to meet him and nearly the whole body of senators.
Cincinnatus was then escorted to his residence through streets lined with great crowds of
common folk who were not pleased to see the new Dictator. They thought his power
excessive and dreaded the way in which he was likely to use it.
Next day, after a quiet night in which nothing was done beyond keeping careful watch,
the Dictator was in the Forum before dawn. He appointed as his Master of Horse a
patrician named Lucius Tarquitius—a man who had the reputation of being the best
soldier in Rome, in spite of the fact that he was too poor to keep a horse. Because of his
poverty he had served as an infantryman. Accompanied by Tarquitius, the Dictator then
appeared before the assembled people to issue his instructions: legal business was to be
suspended, all shops closed and no private business of any kind transacted; all men of
military age were to parade before sunset in the Campus Martius with their equipment,
each man bringing with him a five days' bread ration.
The Dictator's orders were promptly executed and every man presented himself
punctually. Then a column of march was formed and all prepared, should need arise, for
instant action. The soldiers then moved off with Cincinnatus at the head of the infantry
and Tarquitius in command of the mounted troops.
The battle with Minucius lasted until dawn and Minucius's men were beginning to get the
upper hand. For the Aequians the moment was critical: the Dictator's troops, promptly
began an assault on the outer defenses, forcing the Aequians to fight on a second front
while still heavily engaged on the first. Caught between the two fires, they soon gave up
the struggle and begged both Cincinnatus and Minucius not to proceed to a general
massacre, but to disarm them and let them go with their lives. Minucius referred them to
the Dictator, who accepted their surrender, but on humiliating terms. Their commander
Gracchus, with other leading men, was to be brought before Cincinnatus in chains, and
the Aequian soldiers were to be allowed to go with their lives, but, to force a final
confession of absolute defeat, they were to pass 'under the yoke.' A 'yoke' was made from
three spears, two fixed upright in the ground and the third tied across them, and the
Aequian soldiers were made to pass under it.
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
As the Aequians had been stripped of all weapons and valuable possessions before their
dismissal, their camp, when it fell into the Dictator's hands, was found to contain much
valuable property. All this Cincinnatus turned over to his own men exclusively.
Minucius's men, and Minucius himself, got nothing. 'You,' the Dictator remarked to
Minucius severely, 'shall have no share of the plunder taken from an enemy who nearly
took you.' Then, turning to Minucius, he added: 'Until, Lucius Minucius, you learn to
behave like a consul and commander, you will act as my lieutenant and take your
instructions from me.'
Minucius resigned the consulship and remained with his troops as second in command;
his men were quick to appreciate the military qualities of the Dictator, and gave him
implicit obedience. In Rome the Senate convened, and a decree was passed inviting
Cincinnatus to enter in triumph with his troops. The chariot he rode in was preceded by
the enemy commanders and the military standards, and followed by his army loaded with
its spoils. For the entertainment of the soldiers who regaled themselves as they followed
the triumphal chariot, singing and joking as befitted the occasion, like men out to enjoy
themselves.
Only the impending trial of Volscius for perjury prevented Cincinnatus from resigning
immediately. The tribunes who were thoroughly in awe of him made no attempt to
interfere with the proceedings, and Volscius was found guilty and went into exile.
Cincinnatus finally resigned after holding office for fifteen days, having originally
accepted it for a period of six months.
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Cincinnatus Reading Questions:
1. Who was invading Rome?
2. Why is the Senate initially unable to raise an army?
3. What finally convinced the tribunes that an army was necessary?
4. What were the responsibilities of the 2 Roman consuls once the armies were raised?
5. After the failed attack on Minucius’ forces, how did the Aequine army attempt to
neutralize the Roman forces?
6. What does the author say about the connection between ability and wealth and rank?
7. What was Cincinnatus doing when he was informed he had been appointed dictator?
8. What were the first three orders issued by Cincinnatus?
9. How was Cincinnatus able to defeat the Aequians?
10. When the Aequians surrendered to Minucius, what did he do?
11. Under what terms did Cincinnatus accept the surrender of the Aequians?
12. What did Cincinnatus do with the valuables confiscated from the Aequians? Why
didn’t Minucius or his men receive any of the plunder?
13. What did Cincinnatus do after 15 days as dictator?
OVERVIEW QUESTION: What does the story of Cincinnatus tell us about the Roman
Republic and the notion of leadership and duty?