12/26   The panic and confusion were as great as if it had been the City
        and  not the  camp that  was invested.   The consul  Nautius was
        summoned home,  but as  he did nothing  equal to  the emergency,
        they decided  to appoint a Dictator to  retrieve the threatening
        position  of  affairs.    By  universal  consent  L.   Quinctius
        Cincinnatus was called to the office ... The novelty and mystery
        of the thing drew the  attention of the plebs towards him whilst
        those who  knew nothing  of the plot  asked what  disturbance or
        sudden outbreak  of war  called for the  supreme authority  of a
        Dictator  or required  Quinctius, after  reaching  his eightieth
        year, to assume the  government of the republic.  Servilius, the
        Master of the Horse, was despatched by the Dictator ... with the
        message: "The Dictator summons you."
                 --History of Rome, Book III, IV
                   Titus Livy