Boris Johnson has been widely mocked this morning after making a bizarre reference to a Roman dictator in his farewell speech. In his final address outside Downing Street, the outgoing Prime Minister compared himself to Cincinnatus - a statesman in Rome in the fifth century BC.
"On the subject of bouncing around in future careers, let me say that I am now like one of those booster rockets that has fulfilled its function," Mr Johnson said.
"I will now be gently re-entering the atmosphere and splashing down invisibly in some remote and obscure corner of the Pacific. Like Cincinnatus, I am returning to my plough and I will be offering this government nothing but the most fervent support."
READ MORE: 'That's it folks...' everything Boris Johnson said as he gives final speech outside Downing Street
His odd remark soon saw the historical figure trending on Twitter. TV historian and professor of Classics at Cambridge University, Mary Beard, said on the social media site: "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."
She later added on Radio 4's Today programme that he was "absolutely resolutely anti-populist" and "completely opposed the rights of the poor and unprivileged in Rome".
His Wikipedia page, which also saw a large amount of traffic this morning, says he "has often been cited as an example of outstanding leadership, service to the greater good, civic virtue, humility, and modesty".
And former classics scholar Mr Johnson, who will be replaced as Tory leader by Liz Truss following her victory over Rishi Sunak in the leadership contest which was confirmed yesterday, was widely slated for the comparison.
Deeba Syed said: "Boris Johnson comparing himself to Cincinnatus - a man of humble beginnings who became leader and the paragon of virtue, loyalty and bravery? Absolutely delusional. He leaves nothing but a legacy of sleaze, scandal and shame having dragged politics into the gutter."
Ed Campbell said: "Who is Cincinnatus and why are political journalists acting like it matters in the slightest."
Jon Worth said: "One wonders how much longer Johnson spent drawing up the Cincinnatus line for the speech than he’s spent actually, you know, governing these last few weeks…?"
James B said: "I’ve been joking for ages that Johnson thinks of himself like Cincinnatus, and expects the party to call him from his plough in its hour of need. I can’t believe he actually made the allusion in his final speech!"
Whilst author, broadcaster and classicist Natalie Haynes said: "Mate, if Cincinnatus had been sitting on his a*** all day instead of ploughing a field when he was called to serve, if he’d stood by getting p****d while hundreds of thousands of Romans had died, if he’d decorated his f****** plough with gold paper, then you’d be like him."
It is not the first time Mr Johnson has referenced Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus who returned from working on his farm to serve a second term.
In an interview in 2009 said: "In the immortal words of Michael Heseltine, I cannot foresee the circumstances in which I would be called upon to serve [as prime minister].
"If, like Cincinnatus, I were to be called from my plough, then obviously it would be wrong of me not to help out."
And swathes of people interpreted the reference as Mr Johnson indicating he expects a return to frontline politics sometime in the future.
Comedy writer Armando Iannucci, who created the political sitcom The Thick of It, said: "Johnson expects to be called back. Cincinnatus was recalled from his plough to become leader of Rome a second time. Someone tell the people with microphones at Downing Street."
Roz Kaveney said: "As I'm sure you all know, the point of Johnson's mention of Cincinnatus is that the Roman was summoned back from his farm by a grateful people in two times of crisis."
Journalist and political commentator Gaby Hinsliff said: "My favourite thing about Liz Truss is she will not make us talk about Cincinnatus ever again."
Mr Johnson and Ms Truss will travel to Balmoral to see the Queen this morning where Mr Johnson will officially tender his resignation and Ms Truss will then have an audience with the monarch and be formally invited to lead a new government.
Ms Truss is expected to make her maiden speech as PM at around 4pm this afternoon.
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