Cincinnatus and Civic Virtue
The Framers felt that a republican government would only be possible if the citizens had civic virtue. CIVIC VIRTUE means that both citizens and their leaders had to live modest lives, working hard and putting the common welfare above their own interests. Cincinnatus of ancient Rome is seen as a model of civic virtue.
The Framers felt that a republican government would only be possible if the citizens had civic virtue. CIVIC VIRTUE means that both citizens and their leaders had to live modest lives, working hard and putting the common welfare above their own interests. Cincinnatus of ancient Rome is seen as a model of civic virtue.
In the year 460 B.C., Rome was in great danger. An army from the east was burning and plundering the countryside. The defending Roman army was surrounded on all sides by enemies. The leaders of Rome asked Cincinnatus, a skilled military leader, to help them during this crisis. Messengers were sent asking him to serve as a dictator for as long as the crisis would last.
In the year 460 B.C., Rome was in great danger. An army from the east was burning and plundering the countryside. The defending Roman army was surrounded on all sides by enemies. The leaders of Rome asked Cincinnatus, a skilled military leader, to help them during this crisis. Messengers were sent asking him to serve as a dictator for as long as the crisis would last.
Cincinnatus was a hard working farmer with only four acres of land. When the messengers found him, he was quietly plowing his fields. Because he loved his country, he left his plow to go to Rome and lead the army in battle. His army defeated the enemy and saved Rome. Cincinnatus was honored and praised by his people. But when the battle was over, he did not try to remain a dictator of his country. He did not want continued fame. Instead, he returned to his home and his life as a citizen. By returning to his home, Cincinnatus showed that he valued being a citizen of Rome more than he valued fame and personal power. This was an example of civic virtue that the Romans were known for during the period of the Roman Republic.
Cincinnatus was a hard working farmer with only four acres of land. When the messengers found him, he was quietly plowing his fields. Because he loved his country, he left his plow to go to Rome and lead the army in battle. His army defeated the enemy and saved Rome. Cincinnatus was honored and praised by his people. But when the battle was over, he did not try to remain a dictator of his country. He did not want continued fame. Instead, he returned to his home and his life as a citizen. By returning to his home, Cincinnatus showed that he valued being a citizen of Rome more than he valued fame and personal power. This was an example of civic virtue that the Romans were known for during the period of the Roman Republic.
The Framers thought that CIVIC VIRTUE was important to making their new government work. Cincinnatus was a role model for George Washington - and he followed the lead of Cincinnatus as he resigned as Commander in Chief of the Army after American independence was secured. At the Constitutional Convention, twenty-seven of the delegates belonged to the Society of Cincinnati. The Society was a group whose members saw themselves as the eighteenth century counterparts of Rome’s patricians.
The Framers thought that CIVIC VIRTUE was important to making their new government work. Cincinnatus was a role model for George Washington - and he followed the lead of Cincinnatus as he resigned as Commander in Chief of the Army after American independence was secured. At the Constitutional Convention, twenty-seven of the delegates belonged to the Society of Cincinnati. The Society was a group whose members saw themselves as the eighteenth century counterparts of Rome’s patricians.
In the famous statue of Cincinnatus in the Ohio town that bears his name, he is giving up the FASCES, the bundle of rods in his right hand that is a symbol of power and leadership, to return to his life as a farmer. That's civic virtue!
In the famous statue of Cincinnatus in the Ohio town that bears his name, he is giving up the FASCES, the bundle of rods in his right hand that is a symbol of power and leadership, to return to his life as a farmer. That's civic virtue!