Cato the Elder

Marco Porcio Caton Major

Cato the Elder (234–149 BC), born Marcus Porcius Cato, was a Roman statesman, soldier, and writer, known for his conservatism and opposition to Hellenization. He was also known by the cognomen Cato the Censor (Cato Censorius), for his tenure as Censor, a position of moral oversight in the Roman Republic.

Early Life

Cato was born in Tusculum, an ancient Latin town, and came from a well-established plebeian family. Despite his non-aristocratic birth, Cato rose to prominence through military service and a rigorous adherence to traditional Roman virtues, which he saw as being threatened by the increasing luxury and Hellenization of Roman society.

Political Career

Cato's political career was marked by his staunch conservatism. He held various offices in the Roman state, including Quaestor, Aedile, and Praetor, before being elected Consul in 195 BC. As consul, he campaigned successfully in Hispania, which further increased his reputation and influence in Rome.

Following his consulship, Cato was appointed as Censor in 184 BC. In this role, he attempted to preserve the mos maiorum (ancestral custom) by enforcing strict moral legislation. He targeted luxury, moral decay, and corruption, advocating for simplicity and the austerity of earlier Roman times. His censorship was notorious for its severity and the number of individuals he removed from the Senate.

Opposition to Hellenization

Cato was a vocal critic of Greek influence on Roman culture, which he viewed as corrupting. He famously ended his speeches with the phrase Carthago delenda est ("Carthage must be destroyed"), reflecting his belief in the threat posed by Carthage, but also symbolizing his broader resistance to foreign influences, including Hellenic ones. Despite his opposition, Hellenization continued to spread in Rome.

Literary Works

Cato was also an accomplished author, though much of his work has been lost. His most famous surviving work is De Agri Cultura (On Farming), a practical guide to agriculture. It is the oldest known prose work in Latin and offers insights into Roman domestic economy and ancient agricultural practices. Cato also wrote extensively on history and rhetoric, but these works have not survived.

Legacy

Cato the Elder's legacy is complex. He is remembered both for his staunch moralism and for his efforts to preserve Roman traditions against the tide of Hellenization. His life and career reflect the tensions in Roman society between tradition and change, a theme that would continue to play out in the Republic's history.

Death

Cato died in 149 BC, but his influence persisted, especially as an exemplar of Roman virtue and as a symbol of resistance to foreign cultural influences. His great-grandson, Cato the Younger, would also become a notable figure in Roman history for his opposition to Julius Caesar.