"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."

For other uses of this name, see Cincinnatus

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus was Roman consul in 460 BC and dictator twice, in 458 BC and 439 BC. His first term as dictator began when Rome was being menaced by the Aequi tribe from the east and the Volscians from the southeast. The Roman Senate pleaded with Cincinnatus to assume the mantle of dictator to save the city.

The career of Cincinnatus has become so tied up in legend that extracting actual events is impossible. According to analysts, Cincinnatus had settled into a life of farming and knew that his departure could 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 during his second term as dictator (439 BC) to put down a revolt by the plebians.

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.