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| Photo: britannica.com Cincinnatus being informed of his appointment as a Dictator |
The Year is 456 BCE, the first and the
youngest republic on earth; The Roman Republic, was under attack from their neighbors,
The Aequi. The Roman Army sent to defend and stop the invading army had been
trapped and held under siege by the enemy and if something was not done with
speed, the invading army would match to the city of Rome and cause havoc.
The Roman law required that in times
of extreme emergency, they would appoint a Dictator, with unlimited, total and
absolute authority to make quick decision and protect the Republic for at least
six months. But there was also a deep fear on this provision; what if the appointed
dictator after defending the republic and would exploit this excessive power
bestowed upon him to make himself King
and descend the young republic back to a monarch system? Who could be trusted
with such great power? As Rome was full of power hungry individuals? And as Lord
Acton would say that, “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Great men are almost always bad men…” what Lord Acton meant was that people may
be of great virtue and character, but when given power they reveal their vices
and demons and for sure “if you want to test a man’s character, give him power”
said Abraham Lincoln
Regardless of this eminent and
potential danger of appointing a Dictator, the Senate appointed Lucius Quinctius
Cincinnatus as their dictator because “in him were the courage and resolution
equal to the majestic authority of the office.” Cincinnatus was a retired Senator
and was having financial difficulties since he had spent most of his wealth to
bail out his son from potential prosecution and the son was now in exile. A delegation
was sent to inform him of his appointment and they found him plowing his humble
farm.
On being informed of this appointment
he immediately left his plow lying in the field, donned his senatorial toga,
rushed to the city, made a proclamation to suspend all public and private
business and requested all men of military age to present themselves fully
armed and ready for battle.
Once the Army was ready, although
the Romans were expected to lose, he moved with swift and led it to a
victorious battle against the Aequi at the Battle of Mount Algidus. He won the heart
and loyalty of the army he was leading and when the news reached the Rome City,
people were happy and gained glory and dignity. Cincinnatus was welcomed back
to the city with a Great Triumph, the
roman people urged him to maintain his power and remain permanently as their dictator.
Everything was in favor of Cincinnatus
to remain and maintain power, the army and the public were on his side, he would
use his power to bring his son out of exile and even acquire more wealth and
come out of his financial hardship. This was a life time opportunity for Cincinnatus.
In the midst of all these advantages
and opportunities to acquire more power and wealth for himself and hence solve
his many personal problems, Cincinnatus immediately after the Celebration of the
Victorious Battle and 16 days (even before the 6 month period was over) after
being appointed a Dictator he relinquished his power back to the Republic and went back to his farm and lived a silent
life.
He would later be appointed Dictator
again to lead an army; he did the same again and returned to his farm.
He always served his Republic with
great skill and efficiency; he would lead an army to victory, return stability
in Rome and out of duty and loyalty relinquished his position as dictator and
return back to his farm.
His actions demonstrated what civil
virtue is all about. A Loyal citizen
must place the matters of the state over his own interest. Cincinnatus actions
of leaving his plough lying on the farm during a sowing season on being
informed of his appointment and duty and not minding the danger of subjecting his
family to starvation if farming was not complete in good time as the crop would
be ruined dur to the prolonged absence, and relinquishing his power before
time, in order to end dictatorship and return the City back to a republic,
forgoing riches, shows his caring more for the good of the republic than his
personal advantages and prestige and financial benefit.
Sure, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely”
but Cincinnatus is evidence that character and virtue can dictate how power can
be channeled for the benefit of all, so power does not really corrupt people it
just reveals who they really are.
Cincinnatus actions would act as a
model of virtue to other great leaders. More than 2000 years later, George
Washington, would lead America to Independence from the British. George
Washington was offered to be King of the new Independent America and establish
a monarch but he strongly preferred the New Country to be a Republic and served
as the First President. Washington stepped
down to allow another Person to take over the Presidency. Having In mind at the
time there was no Presidential Power Limit but he still relinquished his power
as the President earning him the name as the American Cincinnatus. Washington life
and action was greatly influenced by Cincinnatus having being the President of the
Society of Cincinnati. |
| Photo:Flicr Depicting George Washington, with a plough behind him, like the statue of Cincinnatus |
George Washington action to step
down created a custom of peaceful transfer of power and two-term limit of Four
years each in the USA. More than 240 years later after the first presidency the
customs still exist to date.
Constitutional mechanisms such as Checks and Balances, equal but
separate arms of the government were latter developed to ensure no one person
or arm has absolute power and this Mechanisms are found in almost all
constitutions and republics in the world.
In Africa people like Nelson Mandela
of South Africa, Jerry Rawlings of Ghana, relinquished their powers, releasing “the
reins of power so that the office may evolve with public interest” but in some
countries in as much as there are presidential power limits the people in power
find means to either amend or maneuver the same and remain in power.
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| Photo:britannica.com Statue of Cincinnatus |
Civil Virtue is the ability to lay
down your personal interest for the greater good of the public. Civil Virtue
should find space in everyone’s life regardless of how small or big the
position is. It is ability of a class prefect to list all noise makers and not favoring
any because of friendship, is the ability of not receiving or giving money to
corrupt your way to any position, it is the ability of voting in for the right
leaders not based on nepotism, tribalism or amount of bribe given, it is the
ability to sell quality and safe products disregarding the quick profit margins
because of doing otherwise, It is continuously doing the right thing placing public
interest over self-interest. We should all act with civil virtue in all our actions.
Cincinnatus portrayed virtues such as
“modesty, leadership, selfless service, lack of personal ambition, humility and
dedication to public service” and even when “granted great power and accepted
it, he only kept it as long as necessary to serve his country.” He is a model
of Civil Virtue. And who knows maybe Republics would never exist if it was not
to his action.
