Cato the Elder
Who was Cato the Elder?
Roman politician, soldier and writer (234–149 BC)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Cato the Elder (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Marcus Porcius Cato was born in Tusculum in 234 BC into a long-standing plebeian family known for their military service. Like his ancestors, he turned to farming when he wasn't actively in the Roman army. His abilities and character drew the attention of Lucius Valerius Flaccus, who brought him to Rome and played a key role in his political career. Cato steadily climbed the ranks, serving as military tribune in 214 BC, quaestor in 204 BC, aedile in 199 BC, praetor in 198 BC, and consul in 195 BC alongside Flaccus. He reached the top of Roman politics when he was elected censor in 184 BC.
As a military leader and administrator, Cato was both competent and principled. During his praetorship, he took firm action against financial corruption by expelling moneylenders from Sardinia. His term as censor became famous for its strictness and moral integrity, as he sought to uphold traditional Roman values against what he saw as corrupting Greek influences. This stance shaped his legacy, earning him praise from traditionalists and criticism from those who embraced Greek culture and learning.
Cato's writings were groundbreaking for Latin literature. He wrote the Origines, the first historical work in Latin, which told the history of Rome and other Italian cities. Though only parts remain today, this work helped establish Latin as a valid language for serious historical writing. His book De Agri Cultura is the oldest complete Latin prose work that survives today. This practical guide on farming, religious rituals, and household management highlights both his farming roots and his belief in traditional Roman values.
Throughout his career, Cato was known for his oratory and gave many speeches in the Senate, many of which were preserved and studied by later generations. He also wrote poetry, though only a little of it survives. His marriage to Licinia produced a son, and later in life, he married Salonia, which was controversial due to their significant age difference. Cato died in Rome in 149 BC, just before Carthage's final destruction, an outcome he had long supported with his famous phrase "Carthage must be destroyed."
Before Fame
Cato grew up in the rural town of Tusculum, where his family had been farmers and sometimes soldiers for many generations. The Porcii were part of the plebeian class but had gained recognition through their military service. Young Cato embraced this family background, working on the family farm and gaining agricultural knowledge that would later influence his writings.
His rise to prominence began when Lucius Valerius Flaccus, a patrician with significant influence, noticed Cato's potential and brought him to Rome. This sponsorship was key in a political system where connections and recommendations were crucial for advancement. Cato's skills as a speaker, along with his reputation for moral integrity and military experience, made him a strong candidate for public office in a time when Rome was expanding its power throughout the Mediterranean.
Key Achievements
- First Roman to write history in Latin with his work Origines
- Authored De Agri Cultura, the oldest surviving complete work of Latin prose
- Served as censor in 184 BC, implementing significant moral and financial reforms
- Rose through all major Roman political offices from military tribune to consul
- Established Latin as a legitimate language for serious literary and historical works
Did You Know?
- 01.He is credited with ending every speech in the Senate with the phrase 'Carthage must be destroyed' regardless of the topic being discussed
- 02.At age 80, he married his young slave Salonia, claiming he did so to provide his household with legitimate heirs rather than rely on slave children
- 03.He wrote the first cookbook in Latin literature, including recipes for cheese-making and wine production in his De Agri Cultura
- 04.As censor, he imposed heavy taxes on luxury goods and increased the penalties for moral infractions, earning the nickname 'the Censor'
- 05.He taught his own son to read, write, and practice law rather than entrusting his education to Greek tutors, as was fashionable among wealthy Romans