Leadership comes in many forms...but the best leaders serve. When asked about a hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger mentioned Cincinnatus...with good reason.
1. Cincinnatus (Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus) was a former Roman consul who returned to his simple life as a farmer. Rome wasn't always great.
2. Rome was under attack from the Aequi when part of its army was trapped and the elders (Roman Senate) felt that the city would be overrun.
3. The city "drafted" Cincinnatus from his farm and installed him as dictator. Cincinnatus reorganized and rearmed local troops and routed the Aequi, as well as brokering peace. Rather than remain dictator, after 16 days he returned to his farm.
4. Rome recalled him a second time almost twenty years later to put down a rebellion. A second time he returned to his farm, this time after 21 days. Although he commanded total authority, he willingly surrendered it to return to his simple life.
5. The legacy of Cincinnatus endures because of his leadership and sacrifice.
Society values those who understand the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
