By: Ine Suh
The Cato family was famous for its conservative roots in
Roman politics
Cato the Elder and Cato the Younger are the most significant
members of the family
They struggled to maintain order in Rome during various
periods of the Roman Republic: rise, prosperity, and fall
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cato_the_Younger>
Marcus Porcius Cato (234-149 BC)
Soldier, senator, statesman, and
leader of Roman Conservatives
Elected consul and censor
Rival of Scipio Africanus
Opposed foreign Greek influence;
defended traditional Roman morals
Cato the Elder
<http://mattshistorycourses.files.wordpress.com
/2012/03/cato.jpg>
Wrote the first history of Rome Origines in Latin
Believed Rome had been too lenient on the Carthaginians at
the end of the Second Punic War
His embassy to Carthage in 153 BC confirmed this rival
country’s prosperity as a threat to Rome
Cato shows his fellow senators some plump Carthaginian figs to remind them that
Carthage had become too prosperous and must be destroyed (Nardo 56).
Ended all speeches in the
Senate with
“Delenda est Carthago”
(Carthage must be destroyed)
Cato the Elder
<http://www.biography.com/imported/images/Bi
ography/Images/Profiles/C/Marcus-Porcius-Cato9241762-1-402.jpg>
His warnings encouraged Rome to fight again
149 BC: Outbreak of the Third Punic War
146 BC: Romans killed Carthaginians and burned the city
Ruin of Carthage gave Rome full access over the
Mediterranean Sea – became mare nostrum
Cato’s stance toward Carthage turned Rome into a mighty
military power that dominated Europe and North Africa for
five centuries
Marcus Porcius Cato or
Cato Uticensis (95-46 BC)
Great-grandson of Cato the Elder
Leader of optimates – Roman
conservative party
Treasurer, tribune, and magistrate
Cato the Younger
<http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq
yyhqWhxt1qcla2no1_r1_500.jpg>
Julius Caesar’s foe
Fought against Caesar’s power and ruthless ambition
55 BC in Gaul Cato accused Caesar of war crimes
Attempted to destroy the triumvirate by making Pompey fight
against Julius Caesar
Fled to North Africa when Caesar defeated Pompey’s forces
Chose to die for his own
principles rather than to live
under Caesar’s rule
46 BC: Stabbed himself and
died in the presence of his
family in Utica
Cicero’s eulogy Cato – Cato the
Younger considered a martyr to Death of Cato of Utica by Charles Brun
<http://rlv.zcache.com.au/the_death_of_cato_of_utica_
the ancient Republic
1646_post_cardsrcbcc51602a354f278230317d51c71c14
_vgbaq_8byvr_512.jpg>
Rome’s Last Citizen
<http://i.huffpost.com/gen/913609/thumbs/r-CATO-ROMES-LAST-CITIZEN-large570.jpg?6>
Cato’s stance against tyranny and his famous suicide made
him the icon of civic duty and sacrifice
Became a hero to those who idealized the dying Roman
Republic: Romans were inspired by Cato the Younger and
continued to oppose Caesar’s dictatorship
44 BC: Julius Caesar was assassinated in a conspiracy led by
the hands of Brutus, Cato the Younger’s son-in-law
Carey, Brian Todd, Joshua B. Allfree, and John Cairns. Hannibal's last battle: Zama and the fall of
Carthage. Yardley, Pa.: Westholme, Pub., 2008. Print.
"Cato, Marcus Porcius." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2013. Web. 26 Mar. 2013.<http://school.eb.com/eb/article9021833>.
Eckstein, Arthur M. “Cato, Marcus Porcius, the Younger.” World Book Advanced. World Book,
2013. Web. 15 March. 2013. <http://worldbookonline.com/advanced/article>
Ferrill, Arther. “Cato, Marcus Porcius, the Elder.” World Book Advanced. World Book, 2013. Web.
15 March. 2013. <http://worldbookonline.com/advanced/article>
Freeman, Philip. Julius Caesar. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008. Print.
Goodman, Rob, and Jimmy Soni. Rome's last citizen: the life and legacy of Cato, mortal enemy of
Caesar. New York: Thomas Dunne Books, 2012. Print.
Hughes, Robert. Rome: a cultural, visual, and personal history. New York: Random House Inc.,
2011. Print.
Nardo, Don. The Roman Republic. Farmington Hills, MI: Lucent Books, 2006. Print.
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