The Roman general Cincinnatus ( see also Cincinnatus and Leadership ) was seen by classical Rome and is still noted today as an example of the selfless altruistic statesman who voluntarily relinquished political power when he could have easily retained and probably increased his hold on power and the privileges that come with it. My guess is that Cincinnatus was probably much less noble. He likely simply preferred the peace and relative simplicity of the rural farming life to the complexities and aggravation of the hothouse of Roman politics. Like the story of George Washington ( it is said Washington never told a lie, and if you believe that give me a call I have a bridge for sale, real cheap, that connects Brooklyn to Manhattan ) the myth of Cincinnatus' selfless sacrifice for the state endures to this day although his contributions to Rome were as real and as significant as those of Washington to our nation's freedoms and form of government.
       The myth of Cincinnatus was used by the Romans much as the story of Washington has been used to maintain our elegant form of government. The voluntary and uncompelled advocation of power has been a beacon which has helped to prevent the oppressive tyranny which has been one of the the determining features of human history. Unfortunately, if history is any guide the United States will in the future become a dictatorship. The Greek democracy lasted from Solon in 522 b.c. to about 320 b.c. when Athens was conquered. The Roman republic lasted some 450 years from about 500 b.c. when the king was deposed to the creation of the Roman Empire with an all powerfull emperor by Julius and Augustus Ceasar.
      The two statues pictured here are of Cincinnatus and George Washington which was delibarely modeled after that of Cincinnatus. Both men are seen holding Fasces, Latin for the rods which were the Roman symbol of power, although Cincinnatus is holding the Fasces in his right hand while Washington is holding the Fasces face down with his left hand.