Which statement below best describes Cincinnatus and Julius Caesar?

Question

Responses

Both men put the welfare of the Roman Republic above their own personal success and both obeyed the Senate in time of crisis.

Both men put the welfare of the Roman Republic above their own personal success and both obeyed the Senate in time of crisis.

Cincinnatus accepted the role of dictator in a crisis and then gave up his power; Caesar used a crisis to gain power and then made himself dictator for life.

Cincinnatus accepted the role of dictator in a crisis and then gave up his power; Caesar used a crisis to gain power and then made himself dictator for life.

Cincinnatus used his reputation as a general to gain political power; Caesar used his oratorical skills to convince the Senate to make needed reforms.

Cincinnatus used his reputation as a general to gain political power; Caesar used his oratorical skills to convince the Senate to make needed reforms.

Neither man wanted to take on the role of dictator because they valued the role of the citizens in a true republic.

Answer 1

The statement that best describes Cincinnatus and Julius Caesar is:

Cincinnatus accepted the role of dictator in a crisis and then gave up his power; Caesar used a crisis to gain power and then made himself dictator for life.

This accurately reflects the historical actions of both figures: Cincinnatus was known for taking on the role of dictator in a time of emergency and willingly relinquishing that power once the crisis was resolved, while Julius Caesar took advantage of crises to consolidate power and ultimately declared himself dictator perpetuo (dictator for life).