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#22
A Man For All Seasons
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A Man For All Seasons
#22
Throughout his life, Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus wore many hats. He was a humble
farmer, an aristocrat, and a member of the patrician class.
Did Cincinnatus wear many hats throughout his life? Yes, he wore many hats
throughout his life. What were some of the hats we wore? He was a humble farmer,
an aristocrat, and a member of the patrician class.
He was given absolute power over the people of ancient Rome on two occasions and
he voluntarily gave it up each time.
How many times was Cincinnatus given absolute power over the people of ancient
Rome? He was given absolute power over the people of ancient Rome on two
occasions. And did he retain power each time? No, he didn’t. He voluntarily gave up
power each time.
What made Cincinnatus famous in his time - and a legend in ours - is the fact that he
was an honorable man.
What made Cincinnatus famous in his time and a legend in ours? The fact that he
was an honorable man made him famous in his time and a legend in ours.
He was also a man of great wealth. However, Cincinnatus thought of himself as a
humble farmer. His greatest joy in life came from cultivating his land.
Was Cincinnatus a poor man? No, he was a man of great wealth. And what did he
think of himself as? He thought of himself as a humble farmer. And what did his
greatest joy in life come from? His greatest joy in life came from cultivating his land.
What does your greatest joy in life come from?
As an aristocrat, he never sought or asked for the power to which he was entitled.
He reluctantly accepted leadership when asked by the Senate.
As an aristocrat, what did he never seek or ask for? As an aristocrat, he never sought
or asked for the power to which he was entitled. Did he accept leadership when
asked by the Senate? Yes, but he reluctantly accepted leadership when asked by the
Senate.
The Roman custom in times of strife was for the Senate to appoint a single man as
dictator. The dictator would have absolute authority over the people and army of
Rome.
What was the Roman custom in times of strife? The Roman custom in times of strife
was for the Senate to appoint a single man as dictator. And who would the dictator
have absolute authority over? The dictator would have absolute authority over the
people and army of Rome.
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A Man For All Seasons
#22
Cincinnatus was named dictator when the Romans were losing a war against two of
their neighbors. He was ploughing a field when his call to arms came after the city fell
into a panic.
When was Cincinnatus named dictator? Cincinnatus was named dictator when the
Romans were losing a war against two of their neighbors. And what was he doing
when his call to arms came? He was ploughing a field when his call to arms came
after the city fell into a panic.
Cincinnatus successfully led the Roman army to a swift victory. After the battle was
won Cincinnatus was given a parade - called a triumph - through the streets of Rome.
Did Cincinnatus lead the Roman army to a slow and steady victory? No, he led the
Roman army to a swift victory. And what was Cincinnatus given after the battle was
won? After the battle was won Cincinnatus was given a parade - called a triumph through the streets of Rome.
The people wanted Cincinnatus to remain dictator and some wanted to make him
King. Cincinnatus refused the offers and after only two weeks gave up his power and
returned to his farm.
Did the people want Cincinnatus to go back to his farm? No, they certainly didn’t. They
wanted Cincinnatus to remain dictator and some wanted to make him King. Did
Cincinnatus accept their offers? No, he didn’t accept their offers. How long did it take
him to give up power and return to his farm? It only took two weeks for him to give up
his power and return to his farm.
Cincinnatus was called upon to become dictator for a second time 19 years later.
Once again the great man gave up his power as soon as his task was complete.
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A Man For All Seasons
#22
How long after his first rule as dictator was Cincinnatus called upon again?
Cincinnatus was called upon to become dictator for a second time 19 years later.
And did Cincinnatus give up his power as soon as his task was complete just like
before? Yes, once again the great man gave up his power as soon as his task was
complete.
Cincinnatus lived out the remainder of his life living modestly on his farm.
Did Cincinnatus live lavishly on his farm for the remainder of his life? No, he lived out
the remainder of his life living modestly on his farm.
His bravery and honorable character became the standard by which Roman leaders
would be measured for centuries. His actions are still considered the gold standard
for leadership around the world.
What became the standard by which Roman leaders would be measured for
centuries? Cincinnatus’ bravery and honorable character became the standard by
which Roman leaders would be measured for centuries. And are his actions still held
in high regard? Yes, his actions are still considered the gold standard for leadership
around the world.
George Washington is often compared to Cincinnatus. Like his predecessor, he was
a farmer and was reluctant to retain power for any longer than necessary.
Is Abraham Lincoln often compared to Cincinnatus? No, George Washington is often
compared to Cincinnatus. In what way were the two men similar? Like Cincinnatus,
George Washington was a farmer and was reluctant to retain power for any longer
than necessary.
Washington was also asked to be king and like Cincinnatus refused. Immediately
after his service as president, he returned to his farm.
What did Washington do after his service as president? Like Cincinnatus, he returned
to his farm.
Nearly 2,500 years after his death the name Cincinnatus lives on in the form of place
names in Europe and the United States. The most famous of these is Cincinnati,
Ohio.
How long ago did Cincinnatus die? Cincinnatus died approximately 2,500 years ago.
And what is the most famous place name now connected with Cincinnatus? The
most famous place name is Cincinnati, Ohio. Have you been to Cincinnati, Ohio?
Photos / Credits:
Photo #1 (cover) – by Fe Ilya: https://www.flickr.com/photos/renneville/2908748583/
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