Cincinnatus' entry into Rome was an example of the Roman
triumph
, a sort of parade for victorious generals and their armies. First came men showing the gold, silver, weapons, and loot captured in the war. They also carried placards bearing drawings or names of the cities and generals that had been captured, indicating the rivers or mountains crossed, and depicting the major battles fought. Then came the white oxen that would be sacrificed to Jupiter, and the hostages and prisoners in chains. The general himself, in a four-horse chariot adorned with gold, ivory, and jewels, then approached with his entourage, which might include his children as well as his lictors, the Senate, and his assistants. He wore the
vestis triumphalis
(clothing of triumph): a
tunica palmata
(a tunic embroidered with palm branches, the symbol of victory) and a
toga picta
(painted toga) of purple or gold. He wore a crown of laurel, either for purposes of purification or for protection from evil spirits, while a slave standing behind him held a golden crown over his head. The general's face was painted red. In his left hand he held a golden scepter, and in the other a staff of laurel. For a day he was allowed to look like Jupiter. Lest the general become too puffed up with pride by being compared to Jupiter, the slave holding the golden crown above his head constantly whispered in his ear, ''Remember: you are only mortal," while his soldiers, who came next in the procession, sang dirty songs to embarrass him. To further ward off evil, the general wore a
bulla
(amulet) and an iron ring. The triumph would end up at the Temple of Capitoline Jupiter, because the triumph was originally a religious procession, probably to honor Jupiter for giving the Romans the victory. During their triumphs, Julius Caesar and Emperor Claudius climbed the steps of the temple on their knees, probably to further humble themselves.
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There was also a lesser type of triumph, called an
ovatio
. The general in the
ovatio
entered on horseback or on foot, wore a toga with a purple border and a crown of myrtle, and carried no scepter. This was a much less spectacular event, and something of a consolation prize for those whose victories were not great enough to warrant a triumph.
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After his triumph, just fifteen days after he had assumed the position of dictator, Cincinnatus resigned his position of almost
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