From the Video Vault: Cincinnatus

Cincinnatus, the namesake of our city and University, exemplified the Roman virtues of selflessness, civic-mindedness and magnanimity.

From the Video Vault, I bring you a retelling of the story of the Roman statesman Cincinnatus.

Cincinnatus was simultaneously a man of great ability and great modesty. Despite broad popular support, he resigned from public office and returned to his small farm once he fulfilled his official duties, ceding his power back to the Republic once he thwarted an attempted invasion by Rome’s neighbors. George Washington’s precedent-setting decision to serve only two terms as President was inspired by the story of Cincinnatus.