Lucius Quinctius Cincinnātus

, a celebrated Roman, who was informed, as he ploughed his field, that the senate had chosen him dictator. Upon this he left his ploughed land with regret, and repaired to the field of battle, where his countrymen were closely besieged by the Volsci and Æqui. He conquered the enemy and returned to Rome in triumph; and 16 days after his appointment he laid down his office, and retired back to plough his fields. In his 80th year he was again summoned against Præneste as dictator, and after a succe ful campaign, he resigned the absolute power he had enjoyed only 21 days, nobly disregarding the rewards that were offered him by the senate. He flourished about 460 years before Christ. Livy , bk. 3 , ch. 26 .— Florus , bk. 1 , ch. 11 .— Cicero , de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum , bk. 4 .— Pliny , bk. 18 , ch. 3 .