CINCINNA'TUS, a celebrated Boman consul. Little is known of Pim previous to the difficulties of his son Ciao, who, for opposing he tribunes in the performance of their functions, and for ill-treating in old ex-tribune, was to be tried by the lciliau law. Sureties how seer were bound for his appearance. In the meantime he wont Into voluntary exile, and, according to Livy, the sum in which the sureties were bound was exacted from Cincinuatus. In order to pay it, he was obliged to sell nearly all his estates, and afterward, retire to a mall farm on the banks of the Tiber, where he cultivated the ground with his own Lands. Being subsequently chosen oou,ul, the mes sengers sent to acquaint him with his election found hint engaged in the labours of agriculture. It is said that Cincinnatus, on hearing the news which they brought, was lees elated by the honour hi, country had paid him, than grieved for the prospects of his farm during his absence. In the year of his consulship ho succeeded in restoring tranquillity to the city, and establishing a partial agreement with the tribunes : the senate wished to continuo him in office, but he insisted on resigning it at the close of the year, when he retired to his farm and rural occupations. Soon afterwards (e.o.o. 297) ho was chosen dictator, and again received the announcement of his new honour while employed in the cultivation of his field. Conducted
into Rome amidst the acclamation of the people, he forthwith marched against the A:qui, and gained a nignal victory, after which he entered the city in triumph. He procured the recall of his son Ciao from exile, and than abdicated the dictatorship on the sixtecuth day after he had received it. He afterwards headed an army against the Volsei, and added another to his former victories. In the absence of military tribunes, he was subsequently created interrex for a short time. A second time he was chosen dictator. Cincinnatus was now more than eighty years of ago, and nothing but the solicitations of the consuls and senate induced him to accept the office. lu all the posts which he filled at different times, his virtue and probity, as well as his patriotism and military success, gained him general admiration.
Niebuhr (vol. iL p. 289) rejects the story of Cincionatus paying the fine of Cwso, as a mere fiction, fabricated to account for the humble circumstances of so great a man. (Dionysius Ilalicarnamenais, x.; Livius, iii., 26, 30, 3], &c.; Cicero, Lie Fin., 4; Niebuhr, Rome, voL ii., p. 286, &c., EngL trawl)