09-12-2012, 11:21 PM
My understanding of Cincinnatus's life would lead me to speculate that he didn't want anything to do with politics after his emergency powers were rendered unnecessary. My history is a little rusty, but I seem to remember that the entire reason that he was living on a farm was because his son, in the position of Tribune, had disgraced himself. Cincinnatus, being the paterfamilias, either sold his property or had it confiscated.
So, my opinion is that Cincinnatus agreed to take up arms out of loyalty to the Roman state, but very likely still harbored quite a grudge against his old Patrician "friends". I think it very unlikely that he would have been tempted to hold on to his Dictatorship, given 1) the Republican disdain for absolute power, and 2) keeping an active political life would mean having to keep the company of people who he likely saw as backstabbers.
Given that scenario, I'm sure the idea of laying down your office and returning to the farm was pretty attractive.
So, my opinion is that Cincinnatus agreed to take up arms out of loyalty to the Roman state, but very likely still harbored quite a grudge against his old Patrician "friends". I think it very unlikely that he would have been tempted to hold on to his Dictatorship, given 1) the Republican disdain for absolute power, and 2) keeping an active political life would mean having to keep the company of people who he likely saw as backstabbers.
Given that scenario, I'm sure the idea of laying down your office and returning to the farm was pretty attractive.
Take what you want, and pay for it
-Spanish proverb
-Spanish proverb
