Lucius Cornelius Cinna (praetor 44 BC)

Lucius Cornelius Cinna was a Roman politician who held the office of praetor in 44 BC, the year of Julius Caesar's assassination. He was a member of the Cornelia gens, a prominent and influential patrician family in Roman history.

While details about his early life and career are scarce, Cinna's praetorship coincided with a tumultuous period in Roman history. Following Caesar's assassination in March 44 BC, Cinna played a role in the political maneuvering and power struggles that ensued. He is most notably remembered for his connection to Helvia, Caesar's widow Calpurnia's close confidante.

According to Appian, Cinna had a dream the night before Caesar's funeral in which Caesar invited him to dinner. The following day, while walking to Caesar's funeral, Cinna was mistaken for Cornelius Cinna, a known supporter of Caesar's assassins. Despite repeatedly identifying himself, the mob, fueled by anger and suspicion, brutally murdered him. This incident highlights the volatile atmosphere in Rome following Caesar's death and the dangers faced by individuals perceived to be associated with either side of the conflict. This Cornelius Cinna, a tribune of the plebs who supported Caesar’s assassins, was the son of the praetor mentioned here.

The death of Lucius Cornelius Cinna, though perhaps a case of mistaken identity and a manifestation of mob violence, served as a potent symbol of the chaos and instability gripping Rome in the wake of Caesar's assassination. It also underscores the precarious nature of political life and the potential for unintended consequences during periods of significant upheaval.