Order of Cincinnatus

The Order of the Society of the Cincinnati took its name from that of the illustrious Roman General, Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, who in the 5th Century B.C., at the call of country, left his home to lead the armies of Rome to Victory. After victory had been achieved, he returned to his farm, refusing the honors usually accorded victorious leaders returning with their military forces. The motto of the order reads "Omnia relinquit servare Republicam" (He relinquished everything to serve the Republic). The Order has the shape of a gold eagle with an image of Cincinnatus on its breast. The ribbon on which it is worn is blue with a white border. Tadeusz Kosciuszko was one of only three foreign officers accorded the honor of being made a member of the Society