‘The story probably came from the Chronicles of the Fabian Clan, perhaps through Fabius Pictor, the first Roman annalist.’ Rawlins, Cf. Ihne, vol. i. cap. vi.
WAR WITH THE AEQUIANS, 458 B.C.
[A.] Cincinnatus called from the Plough.
Sed Aequos praecipue Quinctius Cincinnatus domuit, ille dictator ab aratro, qui obsessa et paene iam capta L. Minuci consulis castra egregia victoria recuperavit. Medium erat tempus forte sementis, cum patricium virum innixum aratro suo lictor in 5 ipso opere deprehendit. Inde in aciem profectus, ne quid a rustici operis imitatione cessaret, more pecudum victos sub iugum misit. Sic expeditione finita redit ad boves rursus triumphalis agricola. Intra quindecim dies coeptum peractumque bellum, 10 prorsus ut festinasse, dictator ad relictum opus videretur.
Florus, I. xi. 12-15.
1 Aequos, mountaineers (closely allied to the Sabines) who lived in the mountains forming the E. boundary of Latium.
Cincinnatus. ‘The true type of primeval virtue, abstinence, and patriotism.’—Ihne.
2-4 qui . . . recuperavit. The Aequian general, Gracchus Cloelius, had defeated the consul, L. Minucius, and blockaded him in his camp on Mt. Algidus, the E. spur of the Alban range. Cincinnatus makes a wonderful night march from Rome of 20 miles, blockades in turn the investing Aequian force, and compels an unconditional surrender.
4 sementis = of the seed-time. Formed from semen, cf. sero.