Departing Johnson compares himself to Roman leader who returned as dictator

6 September 2022, 4:45 pm

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Outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks outside Downing Street in London, September 6, 2022 before heading to Balmoral in Scotland, where he will announce his resignation to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Outgoing UK prime minister Boris Johnson causes a stir when he compares himself to a Roman leader who eventually returns as a dictator.

In his farewell speech, Johnson appears to try and rule out making a political comeback saying he will back Liz Truss and compares himself to Cincinnatus, the Roman politician who relinquished power and returned to his farm to live in peace.

“Like Cincinnatus, I am returning to my plow,” he says. “And I will be offering this government nothing but the most fervent support.”

But many on social media point out that Johnson’s reference has more ominous undertones, with Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus eventually being called back from retirement to become dictator of Rome.

As dictator https://t.co/lY9iR9m6aF

— Tom Holland (@holland_tom) September 6, 2022

If you are curious about Boris Johnson's reference to Cincinnatus in his goodbye speech – he was a 5th century BC Roman politician who saved the state from an invasion, then – job done – returned to his farm ('to his plough'). He was also an enemy of the people.

— mary beard (@wmarybeard) September 6, 2022