CINNA, a Roman patrician family of the gens Cornelia. The most prominent member was LUCIUS CORNELIUS CINNA, who, after serving in the war with the Marsi as praetorian legate, became consul in 87 B.C. After Sulla's departure for the East, riots broke out in Rome, and Cinna was expelled. He at once col lected an army, Marius joined him, and the two captured Rome. Proscriptions followed, and the death of Marius (Jan. 86) left Cinna leader of the party. L. Valerius Flaccus became his col league, and afterwards Cn. Papirius Carbo. In 84, however, Cinna, who was still consul, was forced to advance against Sulla; but while embarking his troops for Thessaly, he was killed in a mutiny. His daughter Cornelia was the wife of Julius Caesar, but his son, L. CORNELIUS CINNA, praetor in 44 B.c., sided with Caesar's murderers.
The hero of Corneille's tragedy Cinna (164o) was the Cn. Cornelius Cinna pardoned by Augustus for conspiracy.