Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus is a figure well known for relinquishing political power after being named dictator during a time of crisis. In the History of Rome Livy writes:

“Accordingly the panic and the alarm was as great as if the enemy besieged the city, not the camp. They send for the consul Nautius; in whom when there seemed to be but insufficient protection, and they were determined that a dictator should be appointed to retrieve their embarrassed affairs, Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus is appointed by universal consent”

Based on this passage we can see that Cincinnatus was highly regarded and well respected. Once the Senate had determined Cincinnatus should be made dictator the senate needed to inform Cincinnatus of his new authority.

Livy writes “Lucius Quintius, the sole hope of the Roman people, cultivated a farm of four acres, at the other side of the Tiber.” Cincinnatus was farming in his fields when the delegation arrived to inform him he was being named dictator. Cincinnatus ruled as dictator for 6 months and dispelled the threat facing Rome and then relinquished power.

Cincinnatus became the figure known for exemplifying civic duty. When called upon he served his country and once the task at hand was accomplished he returned to his farm. The influence of Cincinnatus can be seen in the actions of George Washington.

Washington served as the leader of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. When King George III was told Washington planned to return to private life after the war concluded rather than retaining power he remarked: “If he does that he will be the greatest man in the world.” Once independence was secured Washington left the public scene. After the country floundered under the Articles of Confederation a convention was called in Philadelphia. Washington was asked to attend. Not wanting to betray his promise to step away public affairs he had to be talked in to attending.

Washington had been called from his farm to help rescue the country. He was exemplifying the Spirit of Cincinnatus. The country needed him and he did not shrink from the moment. He had controlled the army and relinquished power. Then after the adoption of the Constitution he served as president unanimously winning the electoral college. He was ready to step down after one term but was convinced by his peers that a second term would help solidify the new constitutional republic. He served a second term and again relinquished power. He could have continued as president but realized that part of his civic duty was to walk away from power.

The spirit of Cincinnatus flowed through George Washington. He served when needed but more importantly he knew when to step down.

Lord Acton is credited with saying “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The spirit of Cincinnatus is a check on the corrupting influence of political power.

Today there are many people who believe the country is floundering. Recent polls on the direction of the country show only a range of 15%-36% of respondents who believe the country is headed in the right direction. According to Ballotpedia the congressional approval rating average for May 12, 2023 was 28%. Dissatisfaction is high among the electorate.

At present there are at least 42 career politicians in the Senate. These are people who have been in legislative office since before the turn of the century. Marcy Kaptur, Dick Durbin, Steny Hoyer, Chris Smith, Hal Rogers, Chuck Schumer, Ron Wyden, Ed Markey, and Chuck Grassley have all spent more than 40 years as members of the United States Congress. Grassley began serving in the Iowa House of Representatives in 1959. The list of Congress members with over 40 years in office would have been even longer if Patrick Leahy hadn’t retired this year after 48 years in the Senate and if Don Young hadn’t died in office last year after 49 years in the House of Representatives.

Such longevity defies the spirit of Cincinnatus. It places the individual above the nation. To serve over 40 years in Congress is a sign of hubris and avarice. It shows a contempt or at the least an indifference towards others. It signifies a quest for power that cannot be satisfied. It signals the insecurity of a narcissist. The spirit of Cincinnatus would usher people into other avenues of life and if a dire need arose that could only be addressed by that individual the nation would come calling.

Leaders need to exemplify the spirit of Cincinnatus but so does every person within the country. Civic duties should not be ignored. For some that may be as simple as not trying to find an excuse to get out of jury duty. For others it might be the uncomfortable task of walking away from a lucrative career to serve for a term or two in Congress. As John F. Kennedy said “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

The spirit of Cincinnatus can begin to unite the country as it shifts the focus from individual accolades to civic duty. A future Grassley or Schumer would not be roaming the halls of Congress 40 years after their first election because they would be ridiculed for putting self above nation. A future Kaptur or Rogers would willingly step aside 20 years sooner to allow for fresh new ideas rather than continually seeking reelection. A future Hoyer or a Wyden would spend considerably more time in training and outreach programs for future leaders because they would know they would soon be passing the mantle on to someone else.

If the spirit of Cincinnatus flourishes in society then congressional approval ratings will increase and many more respondents will find that the country is moving in the right direction.