Cincinnatus and the Rewards of Integrity

(By Rick Lambert)

In 400 BC, Rome was a small republic in the middle of Italy, and was striving to maintain her freedom and independence.  Being little more than a city on the Tigris River, it would be another 200 years before Rome would achieve her historical greatness.  It was in those vulnerable years however, that one of the greatest men of integrity stepped up onto the stage of life, and provided a glimpse into what makes integrity an invaluable quality to possess.

Cincinnatus came from a prominent aristocratic family, but due to some misfortunes beyond his control, he lost most of his wealth with the exception of a small farm just outside the city of Rome.  Even though he was once one of the Republic’s wealthiest and most powerful citizens, he never lost the esteem of the people.  They saw in him a quality that whether rich or poor, he was always the same in his desire to help others, and serve his country.

Not yet a power to be reckoned with, Rome was situated in a nice place, and consequently attracted jealous rivals who wished to invade and control the land.  When these times occurred, the men of Rome would drop their work, and fight for the defense of the city.  There was no standing army, just a citizen’s army that had to be prepared to fight at a moment’s notice.

On one particular occasion, when Cincinnatus was an old man, the Republic was threatened by a barbarian tribe from the North.  It was a marauding army, plundering the small villages and kingdoms North of Rome.  In preparation for the imminent attack, Rome rallied her troops and sent then northward to engage the enemy away from the city. While advancing toward what they thought was the enemy’s position, the Roman soldiers came under fierce attack, and were trapped in a valley.

Being surrounded, the Roman soldiers found themselves locked in by a force of much larger numbers.  They were now forced to await the sure slaughter to follow.  During this wait, a few brave soldiers rallied and charged the lines of the enemy.  Though many were killed in the valiant attempt, and few escaped, and made there way back to Rome to warn the unsuspecting citizens of the certain doom to follow.

The uneasiness and fear of the people compelled them to produce a plan of defense.  The city was virtually defenseless, and even though it had another army, they were off fighting another invading horde, and could not come in time to relieve the desperate situation. The only people left in the city where women, children, and old men.

The situation was grave, and virtually hopeless.  The leaders had no options, and didn’t now what to do.  They then called upon Cincinnatus to see if he could produce some plan to save the people.  A group of the cities’ leaders immediately where dispatched to his farm, and seek his assistance.  It is said that upon receiving the disheartened news, that he turned to his wife Racilla and said, “I fear, Racilla, our little field must remain this year unsown.”  And then, saying goodbye to his wife and family, he left with the delegation to go and take charge of this situation, and do what was required to save their beloved city.

His first order of business was to rally any man or boy who could fight.  No man was qualified except for the fact that they were fighting for the defense of their homes and families, and had a leader that inspired confidence in their ability to save the city.  Beyond this, they didn’t have much hope.  Armed only with the desire to win, they marched off to engage the enemy that had surrounded the first Roman army.

For days, there was no word of Cincinnatus and his rag-tag army.  But when word came, it delivered upon the wildest hopes and dreams of everyone.  Somehow, the newly formed army was able to surprise the enemy, and essentially do to them, what they had done in surrounding the first army.  The enemy was so stunned and confused by the assault, and the captured Roman army so stirred by the sight, that it was just enough to conquer their enemy.  In fact, tradition has it that the barbarian army begged Cincinnatus for mercy when they realized that they were outnumbered and was certain to be defeated.  In an amazing gesture of gracious integrity, Cincinnatus permitted the defeated army to leave, and return to their homes.

Upon his return to Rome however, Cincinnatus returned a conquering hero.  He was paraded through the streets, and the city celebrated for days.  All the glory, power, and wealth the people could offer were his for the taking.  He had taken an unprepared and ill-equipped army, and in less then sixteen days, had defeated a superior force.  All of the citizens of Rome new that they owed their freedom and life to the old, wise general. 

His courage, integrity, humility, and dependability became a legend.  However, his greatest feat and example of integrity came when they offered him the crown.  Cincinnatus could be the King of Rome if he desired it.  But true to his nature, he declined the offer, as well as any other riches or reward offered to him.  He was simply fulfilling his responsibility.  The only thing he asked for was to return to his farm and wife, and live his life in an honest and modest fashion.  He did what was right, and history has judged Cincinnatus a man of integrity.