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Cato the Younger: Life and Death at the End of the Roman Republic
Marcus Porcius Cato ("the Younger") is most famous for being Julius Caesar's nemesis. His sustained antagonism was in large part responsible for pushing the Romans towards civil war. Yet Cato never wanted war even though he used the threat of violence against Caesar. This strategic gamble misfired as Caesar, instead of yielding, marched on Rome, hurling the Republic into a bloody civil war. Refusing to inhabit a world ruled by Caesar, Cato took his own life. Although the Roman historian Sallust identified Cato and Caesar as the two most outstanding men of their age, modern scholars have tended to dismiss Cato as a cantankerous conservative who, while colorful, was not a critical player in the events that overtook the Republic.
This book, in providing a much-needed reliable biography of Cato, contradicts that assessment. In addition to being Caesar's adversary, Cato is an important and fascinating historical figure in his own right, and his career-in particular, his idiosyncrasies-shed light on the changing political culture of the late Republic. Cato famously reached into Rome's hallowed past and found mannerisms and habits to adopt that transformed him into the foremost champion of ancestral custom. Thus Cato did things that seemed strange and even bizarre such as wearing an old-fashioned tint of purple on his senatorial toga, refusing to ride a horse when on public business, and going about barefoot and without the usual tunic as an undergarment. His extreme conservatism-which became celebrated in later ages, especially in Enlightenment Europe and revolutionary America--was actually designed to give him a unique advantage in Roman politics. This is not to claim that he was insincere in his combative promotion of the mos maiorum (the way of the ancestors), but his political manipulation of the Romans' reverence for their traditions was masterful. By providing a new, detailed portrait of Cato, the book also presents a unique narrative of the age he helped shape and inadvertently destroy.
This book, in providing a much-needed reliable biography of Cato, contradicts that assessment. In addition to being Caesar's adversary, Cato is an important and fascinating historical figure in his own right, and his career-in particular, his idiosyncrasies-shed light on the changing political culture of the late Republic. Cato famously reached into Rome's hallowed past and found mannerisms and habits to adopt that transformed him into the foremost champion of ancestral custom. Thus Cato did things that seemed strange and even bizarre such as wearing an old-fashioned tint of purple on his senatorial toga, refusing to ride a horse when on public business, and going about barefoot and without the usual tunic as an undergarment. His extreme conservatism-which became celebrated in later ages, especially in Enlightenment Europe and revolutionary America--was actually designed to give him a unique advantage in Roman politics. This is not to claim that he was insincere in his combative promotion of the mos maiorum (the way of the ancestors), but his political manipulation of the Romans' reverence for their traditions was masterful. By providing a new, detailed portrait of Cato, the book also presents a unique narrative of the age he helped shape and inadvertently destroy.
376 pages, Hardcover
Published May 24, 2019
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172 people want to read
About the author
Fred K. Drogula
4 books2 followersFred K. Drogula is a historian of the ancient world, specializing in the study of ancient Greece and Rome. He received a BA in Classics from Kenyon College, MA degrees in Classics and History respectively from Boston University and the University of Virginia, and a Ph.D in History from the University of Virginia. His research focuses on the Roman Republic and the early Roman Empire, and in particular on the cultural and intellectual structures that created and changed Rome’s political and military systems.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 13, 2023
HBO's Rome really got me interested in this period of Rome. There are so many interesting characters. Cato being one of them. After watching the show and reading a book on the Stoics I wanted to read a biography on him as well. And I really enjoyed reading this one. It gives an honest and balanced portrayal of Cato the man and not the legendary Cato that emerged after his death.
For anyone who loves this period of Roman history, this biography is a must.
Highly recommended.
What i didnt get from this book was more about his family, especially his daughter Portia Cato. Only very brief mentions. Hope to read more about her if there is a book out there. Because she seems really interesting
For anyone who loves this period of Roman history, this biography is a must.
Highly recommended.
What i didnt get from this book was more about his family, especially his daughter Portia Cato. Only very brief mentions. Hope to read more about her if there is a book out there. Because she seems really interesting
January 23, 2022
Historical Cato
Excellent addition to help explain Cato as a mortal.
Of the several other renditions of Cato I have read this is the only one that makes it a point to tell the story of the historical Cato. This Cato is much more human than the Legendary Cato most are familiar with.
Further, what historic Cato has to offer to today is that reactionary conservativism inevitably ends in tears when reality sets in that progress always wins. Time only moves forward not backwards yet for some reason we are all prone to allure of declinism much like Cato.
A true conservator of tradition knows to dismiss declinism and instead guide future generations knowing that change is inevitable. Better to be part of the change and live than to die from self-inflicted wounds caused by holding onto an idealized past that never existed.
Thank you for writing this book.
- Rogelio Martinez II M.D.
Excellent addition to help explain Cato as a mortal.
Of the several other renditions of Cato I have read this is the only one that makes it a point to tell the story of the historical Cato. This Cato is much more human than the Legendary Cato most are familiar with.
Further, what historic Cato has to offer to today is that reactionary conservativism inevitably ends in tears when reality sets in that progress always wins. Time only moves forward not backwards yet for some reason we are all prone to allure of declinism much like Cato.
A true conservator of tradition knows to dismiss declinism and instead guide future generations knowing that change is inevitable. Better to be part of the change and live than to die from self-inflicted wounds caused by holding onto an idealized past that never existed.
Thank you for writing this book.
- Rogelio Martinez II M.D.
July 11, 2019
A thorough and well-written biography of one of the Late Republic’s most colorful personalities. Statesman or sage? Patriot or crank? Savior of Rome or the one who drove it to ruin?
Drogula ultimately comes down against Cato’s political acumen, and largely blames his activism for the formation of the Triumvirate and Caesar’s march on Rome. His case is a familiar one - there are echoes of it even in a largely fawning Plutarch - but I think the author gives Caesar too much credit in arguing that Cato’s warnings about him were unfounded.
My disagreement with his conclusions does not, however, detract from what is the best English language book about Cato the Younger.
Drogula ultimately comes down against Cato’s political acumen, and largely blames his activism for the formation of the Triumvirate and Caesar’s march on Rome. His case is a familiar one - there are echoes of it even in a largely fawning Plutarch - but I think the author gives Caesar too much credit in arguing that Cato’s warnings about him were unfounded.
My disagreement with his conclusions does not, however, detract from what is the best English language book about Cato the Younger.
February 2, 2022
Cato the Younger is an interesting figure in Roman history but doesn’t have a lot of biographies.
This by far is the best biography written about him. But because the information about him is limited a lot of the biography is about Cicero, Caesar and Pompeius which is logical because they surround the character Cato but still I think it is 55% Cato and 45% about the rest, which is much.
Still a really good in dept biography.
7.5/10
This by far is the best biography written about him. But because the information about him is limited a lot of the biography is about Cicero, Caesar and Pompeius which is logical because they surround the character Cato but still I think it is 55% Cato and 45% about the rest, which is much.
Still a really good in dept biography.
7.5/10
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January 26, 2024Gave up when I was in chapter 6.
I just wasn't really interested in Cato the Younger to the extent that I would want to read a very detailed biography of what he did. But it was useful to learn that he was not the great Stoic stage that people made him out to be which was the reason I was interested in this book in the first place.
I just wasn't really interested in Cato the Younger to the extent that I would want to read a very detailed biography of what he did. But it was useful to learn that he was not the great Stoic stage that people made him out to be which was the reason I was interested in this book in the first place.
November 9, 2022
It is a very interesting book about the politics of Rome prior to the Civil War between Pompey and Ceasar. It is written well and explains the events in a logical manner.
February 16, 2023
Always good to learn some history, and this book is no different. Especially being a shorter listen, I would recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews