Cincinnatus

Roman farmer called from his plow to dictator power in a military crisis; defeats the enemy in sixteen days; resigns the dictatorship the day the threat is over and returns to the plow; called a second time and does the same. Restoration path: Take power only as long as the crisis requires it; lay it down at the threat's end without bargaining for more. Markers: called from the plow; reluctant but capable; resolves the crisis quickly; resigns power voluntarily; returns to ordinary life — Cincinnatus, Roman, c. 458 BC (History)