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High School History 2.5
Cincinnatus (519-430 BC)
An Example of Civic Virtue
Cincinnatus
a Roman Aristocrat and Statesman.
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
was a Roman aristocrat and
statesman with a reputation
for outstanding leadership
and a willingness to offer
service for the greater good.
He lacked personal ambition
and lived modestly as he
sacrificed for his family.
He served as consul in 460 BC,
a dictator in 458 BC, and
again in 439 BC. His life’s
example make him a model
of civic virtue.
A Farmer who needed to feed his family.
Cincinnatus was plowing his
field, when he learned he
had been appointed
dictator.
The Romans had appointed
Cincinnatus dictator for 6
months so he could defend
the Romans against the
neighboring Aequi and
Sabines.
He forfeited over 5 months of
his term as Dictator when,
after only 16 days, he
resolved the conflict and
returned home.
Rome at War
During the years of the Roman Republic, Rome was ruled by a
combination of a democracy, an aristocracy, and a
monarchy. Having witnessed the problems of a monarchy,
where only one person ruled the land, and aristocracy,
where all power was in the hands of a small privileged
ruling class, or a democracy, where the citizens
participated, the Romans opted for a mixed form of
government that included all three forms.
Rome united together behind this new form of government.
However, the balance of power was difficult to maintain
and Rome was often at risk with their surrounding
neighbors.
Consequently Rome was involved in many wars. In 458 BC
Rome was at war with the Sabines and the Aequi who
continually struggled for independence from Rome.
Enemies on Two Fronts
In 458 BCE the new Roman Republic was struggling to retain its power. The
city was under attack on two fronts by ancient enemies, the Sabines and
the Aequi.
The Aequi continually struggled for independence from Rome and after losing
a few battles, the Aequi tricked and trapped the Romans. A few Roman
horsemen managed to escape to Rome to warn the Senate of their army's
plight.
The Sabines were advancing towards Rome, plundering the countryside and
destroying settlements when the Aequi, an ancient people of Italy, who
launched their invasion with a steadily marching army towards the City.
Besieged on two sides and surrounded by enemy soldiers, the Romans knew
they were in trouble. The Romans were having trouble defending both of
their two borders at the same time.
The Sabines
The Sabines were an Indo-European tribe that lived
in the central Mountains of ancient Italy. The
Sabines were divided into two populations just
after the founding of Rome.
The Sabine population closest to Rome became part
of the new city and united with the pre-existing
citizenry to form a new heritage.
The second population remained a mountain tribal
state finally coming to war against Rome for their
independence. After losing, it was assimilated
into the Roman Republic.
Location of the Aequi (Equi) and Sabines in central Italy, 5th century BC.
Roman Law
Despite the bleak situation, the Senators knew
they still had one hope. There was a provision
in the Roman law that allowed for the
appointment of a position known as Dictator.
This position could be filled by the Senate in
times of extreme crisis, and the man selected
to perform this duty would have absolute,
unchecked, unquestioned power over all
aspects of the Republic including her armies
and her laws.
Call to Serve or
Opportunity for Power
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus was plowing the fields
surrounding his humble farm. When the men
reached him, they informed him of the dire
situation that lay before Rome.
The Republic was in great peril, and Cincinnatus was
their last hope.
He was the only man with the experience and
proficiency to lead the Romans to victory over
their enemies, and the senate provided him with
supreme power to do whatever was needed.
Virtue or Revenge?
Cincinnatus was regarded by the Romans as one of the heroes of early Rome and as a model of
Roman virtue and simplicity.
He and his son, Caeso Quinctius, were opponents of any attempt to change the legal situation of
plebeians who had increased in wealth and power causing patrician families to fall into
poverty and obscurity.
Caeso took the opposition to the extreme, and often drove the Tribunal leaders out of the
Forum. He was brought to trial on false charges and although no concrete evidence was
brought against him he was sentenced to death.
Through the pleading of Cincinnatus, who was already a man held in high esteem, Caeso was
granted bail. In order to reach the substantial sum that was set, Cincinnatus was forced to
sell the vast majority of his estate.
Caeso then went into voluntary exile to Etruria, and Cincinnatus forfeited the sum posted with
the tribunal as bond. He was falsely convicted of a capital charge and released on bail. He
escaped to the Etruscans where he was condemned to death.
Cincinnatus had all power of the office of dictator. He could use this power to regain his wealth or
manipulate the law to restore what was rightly his.
Instead, he completed his task of defeating the rival tribes of the Aequians and Sabines. Within a
short six-week period Cincinnatus returned home to his family and farm.
Cincinnatus had relinquished five months of any additional power or influence to serve
honorable, humbly, and with great simplicity.
The Character of Cincinnatus
Many ambitious patricians sought out loopholes in
Roman law that allowed them to gain power or
wealth.
They would accumulate great wealth and construct
monuments to themselves portraying an
exaggerated legacy.
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus was not one of these
men.
Instead, he respected the checks and balances of
the new republic and wanted to prevent a return
to the monarchy that previously existed in Rome.
Once in Rome…
Cincinnatus wasted no time appointing a poor, but
brilliant warrior, Lucius Tarquitius, Master of Horse and
prepared all capable men in Rome to aid Minucius. (Livy,
Ab Urbe Condita, 3.27).
After observing the enemy forces, Cincinnatus mounted
an attack that would force Gracchus and his army to
retreat into their camp.
Once inside the camp, Minucius and his forces joined
Cincinnatus and they attacked the Aequians from both
sides.
Seeing the inevitability of defeat the Aequians resorted to
negotiating with Cincinnatus. Within the terms of the
treaty was the handing over of Gracchus in chains and
the peaceful surrender of their city Corbio (Dionysius, Roman
Antiquities 10.24).
Conquering General Cincinnatus
The city of Corbio was plundered and the best
treasures were sent home to Rome.
Cincinnatus chose not to divide any of the
remaining spoils with Minucius and his unit and
maintained that they should be satisfied with
their rescue from certain death. (Livy, Ab Urbe Condita, 3.29).
Cincinnatus returned to Rome as a conquering
general and was celebrated for the rapid
resolution to the conflict that he was selected
for.
How he fought the enemy!
He used Palisades!
They were an excellent option for small
forts or other hastily constructed
fortifications.
 They were wood
 quickly and easily built from
materials readily available.
 They proved to be effective
protection for short-term conflicts.
 were an effective deterrent against
small forces.
 trunks were sharpened or pointed
at the top, and were driven into the
ground.
 The height of a palisade ranged
from a few feet to nearly ten feet.
Passing Under the Yoke
Cincinnatus rose to the occasion, defeated the
Aequi, made them pass under the yoke to
show their subjugation.
Passing under the yoke was an ancient Italian
practice where the victorious army raised an
archway with two spears stuck into the ground
and a third spear fastened horizontally to their
tops forcing the unarmed, defeated army to
pass under bowing to their victors.
Passing Under the Yoke
Discussion
What is your impression of the character of
Cincinnatus?
He ordered his men to build palisades.
What kind of palisades do we build in our lives?
What kind of materials do we use to build our
own palisades?
What was the purpose of having the enemy
“Pass Under the Yoke?”
What role did humility play in the life of
Cincinnatus?