Cincinnatus

American  

[sin-suh-ney-tuhs, -nat-uhs] / ˌsɪn səˈneɪ təs, -ˈnæt əs /

noun

1. Lucius Quinctius 519?–439? b.c., Roman general and statesman: dictator 458, 439.

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Cincinnatus British  

/ ˌsɪnsɪˈnɑːtəs /

noun

1. Lucius Quinctius (ˈluːsɪəs ˈkwɪŋktɪəs). ?519–438 _bc , Roman general and statesman, regarded as a model of simple virtue; dictator of Rome during two crises (458; 439), retiring to his farm after each one

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Example Sentences

On that night he cemented his legacy as a bridge to the next generation and he embodied the spirit of Cincinnatus who saved the Roman Republic.

From Salon • Aug. 22, 2024

Mr Johnson, a famous lover of classics, referenced Cincinnatus, a patrician who turned to farming after leaving Rome only to return when his country needed him.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2022

Then he left Downing Street with an allusion to Cincinnatus, the Roman dictator who laid down his arms and went back to his farm before coming out of retirement to rule Rome again.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 24, 2022

Johnson’s supporters, meanwhile, want him to return from his plow — like the classical-era hero Cincinnatus brought back to deal with a crisis, whom Johnson referenced in his resignation speech.

From Washington Post • Oct. 21, 2022

Everyone knew the classical models of latter-day seclusion represented by Cincinnatus and described by Cicero and Virgil.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis