2. Lucius (Titus) Quinctius Cincinnatus was an ordinary farmer who lived on a farm just outside of Rome.
3. He became dictator one day in 460 B.C.E when some messengers came to him and told him he needed to help defend Rome against the Aequi and the Volscians.
4.
5. He only left his farm and held the position as dictator for sixteen days although he was originally appointed for six months.
6. In those sixteen days, he took supreme command, defeated the enemies of Rome, freed consul Minucius, and returned to his farm and family. He refused to take any honors for what he did.
