an early Roman jurist, mentioned by Pomponius (Dig. 1. tit. 2. s. 2.44), among the disciples of Servius Sulpicius. [T. CAESIUS.] He is cited by Ulpian (Dig. 23. tit. 2. s. 6), and by Javolenus. (Dig. 35, tit. 1. s. 40.40.) There are no data to identify him with any of the various historical Cinnas of his age. He was later than the celebrated L. Cornelius Cinna, who was consul in B. C. 87-84; but may have been his son. [CINNA, No. 3.] The grandson, Cn. Corn. Cinna Magnus, consul in A. D. 5, is of rather too late a date, and, moreover, is termed by Seneca (de Clem. 1.9), a stupid man, "quod nostro jurisconsulto minime convenit," says Maiansius, who seems disposed to identify the jurist with the poet C. Helvius Cinna, the author of Smyrna. (Maiansius, ad XXX. J Ctos. ii. p. 143.)
[J.T.G]A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology
Smith, William
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890