Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus (c. 519 - c. 430 BCE) was a legendary Roman leader, statesman. and military hero.

Cincinnatus supported the rights of the plebeians (common citizens) who had fallen into poverty because of his own son's violent opposition to a written code of equally enforced laws for all citizens. He continued working his own small farm until an uprising prompted his fellow citizens to call for his leadership.

At that point, he left his farm to accept a term as Roman Consul and served as Magister Populi (with temporary powers similar to that of a modern-era dictator). He was given lawful dictatorial control of Rome in order to meet the impending war emergency. After achieving a swift victory, saving the city from crisis, he returned power to the Senate and went back to plowing his fields.

In 1783, a group of Revolutionary War military officers founded the Society of the Cincinnati, named after the civic-minded Roman hero.

In 1790, Northwestern Territory Governor Arthur St. Clair (a member of the above society) decided to bestow the name of Cincinnati upon a burgeoning settlement on the Ohio River, which had previously been called Losantiville.

More Info: www.etymonline.com