Cincinnatus

Lucius Quintuis Cincinnatus was a Roman statesman. He was a husband, father and farmer. In 458 BC the Romans were under attack from the Aequi. The Aquei were quickly advancing on the Romans. In a panic, the senate nominated Cincinnatus to become dictator. A group of senators went to find Cincinnatus to tell him the news. They found him on his farm. Cincinnatus literally went from plowing to dictatorship.

(Oil painting by Leon Benouville 1844)

In only a matter of days Cincinnatus had created an army. He then personally led this army into battle against the Aequi and won. After his victory he disbanded his army, gave up his absolute power and returned to his farm. He did all of this in a matter of 15 days. Talk about an awesome man. He was given absolute power which he used only for the good of the people then promptly gave up that absolute power and returned to his humble life.This man's incredible example of virtue and honest has reached across the centuries. The town of Cincinnati, Ohio was named after him and George Washington looked up to this man for inspiration during the Revolutionary War. There is a saying often associated with Cincinnatus. "Absolute power should only be given to those who want it least."