Society of Cincinnatus
Henry Knox created the Society, serving as its first secretary, and Washington served as its first president. It was named after Cincinnatus, a Roman general and statesman who was admired as a model of simplicity, ability, and republican virtue. In 458 he was appointed dictator by the Roman Senate when the Roman army was in danger of being destroyed by Aequi. He left his farm, gathered troops, defeated the enemy, and resigned the dictatorship, all within sixteen days. Washington regarded him as a role model.