Cornelius held the "imperium" in 404 BC as one of six consular tribunes. He shared the office with Gaius Valerius Potitus Volusus, Manius Sergius Fidenas, Gnaeus Cornelius Cossus, Caeso Fabius Ambustus and Spurius Nautius Rutilus. The consulars successfully fought against the Volsci and Veii, capturing Artena from Volsci and continuing the siege of Veii. There was also a successful venture to colonize Velitrae under the command of the consulars. There is some doubt among modern scholars in regards to the historicity of these consular colleges of six and there are indications of a higher degree of interpolation during this period.