Introduction

Cincinnatus was born around five 19 b c, when the king still reigned. He was one of the first citizens in rome who lived his entire life under a republican government. His elders remembered vividly the tyranny of tarquin and their steadfast republican principles reflect a personally developed hatred of monarchy. They were the victims and would do anything to avoid being victims again. In those times, only vigilance born of a love of republic, not hatred of monarchy, saved the people from slavery.