In 490 BC, Cornutus was consul with Spurius Larcius. Dionysius of Halicarnassus ascribes many odd occurrences to their consulship, such as the birth of monstrosities, and people hearing voices. Then he tells of a pestilence that mostly killed cattle, but not many people.[3]
In 488 BC, the Volsci under Coriolanus marched on Rome and besieged the city. Cornutus, and his former colleague Lartius, were among the ambassadors sent to intercede with Coriolanus.[4]