Cato the Elder: The Roman politician who relentlessly pursued the destruction of Carthage

Marcus Porcius Cato, who would later be known as Cato the Elder, was born in 234 BCE in Tusculum, an ancient city in the Latium region of Italy.

His family, though not of patrician status, was well-established and had a history of military service.

This background played a significant role in shaping Cato's early life, instilling in him a deep sense of duty and a commitment to the traditional Roman virtues.

Cato's upbringing was typical of a Roman of his class. He was raised in a rural setting, far from the opulence and political intrigue of Rome.

This rural upbringing was crucial in forming his austere and disciplined character.

He learned the value of hard work on his family's farm, an experience that would later influence his writings on agriculture and his political stance on the importance of the agrarian lifestyle for Roman citizens.

As a young man, Cato's life was profoundly affected by the Second Punic War (218-201 BCE), a defining conflict in Roman history.

The war against Hannibal and Carthage had a lasting impact on the Roman psyche, and Cato, like many of his contemporaries, was drawn into military service. 

According to the surviving sources, Cato saw his first military experience in 214 BCE, during the siege of Capua.

He served under the famous Roman leader, Quintus Fabius Maximus, who was serving as consul for the fourth time.

Five years later, Cato once more fought with Fabius at the siege of Tarentum. In both of these campaigns, Cato apparently served with distinction.

His bravery and tactical acumen during this period were noted by his superiors and peers alike. 

Then, in 207 BCE, Cato was part of the consul Claudius Nero's military expedition in Lucania against Hasdrubal Barca, who was seeking to support Hannibal.

Cato commanded troops at Sena during the decisive Battle of the Metaurus, where Hasdrubal was killed.

After the war, Cato continued to serve in the military, though details of his post-war military career are less well-documented.

What is clear, however, is that his military service played a significant role in his rise to political prominence.

In 204 BCE, Cato was elected quaestor, a significant step in the cursus honorum, the sequence of public offices held by aspiring Roman politicians.

His time as quaestor was marked by his strict adherence to Roman law and financial integrity, setting a tone for his future political endeavors.

In 199 BCE, Cato took another step up the political ladder by becoming aedile, a position responsible for the maintenance of public buildings and the organization of public festivals.

His tenure as aedile was noted for its efficiency and frugality, reflecting his personal values.

Cato's ability to manage public funds and his dedication to public service further enhanced his reputation among the Roman populace.

Then, when elected praetor in 198 BCE, he governed the province of Sardinia, where he was known for his fair but strict administration.

His time in Sardinia also exposed him to various administrative challenges and deepened his understanding of the complexities of governing a diverse and expanding republic.

The pinnacle of Cato's political career came in 195 BCE when he was elected consul, the highest office in the Roman Republic.

During his consulship, he and his colleague, Lucius Valerius Flaccus, led a successful military campaign in Hispania, further cementing Cato's reputation as a leader both at home and on the battlefield.

After his consulship, Cato's influence in Roman politics remained strong. In 184 BCE, he reached the office of censor, a position of great power and responsibility, charged with maintaining the census, overseeing public morality, and managing certain aspects of the government's finances.

Throughout his political career, Cato was known for his eloquence as an orator, his unwavering commitment to Roman traditions, and his staunch opposition to corruption.

He was a prolific speaker in the Senate, known for his persuasive and often blunt speeches.

His political life was also characterized by his enduring hostility towards Carthage, which he viewed as an existential threat to Rome.

As a statesman, he was deeply involved in the legislative and moral life of Rome, advocating for laws and policies that aligned with his vision of Roman virtue and integrity.

His efforts in the Senate were focused on preserving the mos maiorum, the customs of the ancestors, which he believed were the foundation of Roman greatness.

Cato's insistence on frugality, discipline, and simplicity in both public and private life made him a figure of respect and, at times, controversy in Roman society.

Beyond his political and legislative contributions, Cato's influence extended into the social and economic realms of Roman life.

He was a vocal critic of luxury and moral decay, which he saw as threats to the fabric of Roman society.

His censorship was particularly notable for its strictness in enforcing moral standards and his attempts to regulate the behavior and lifestyle of the Roman elite.

Cato's efforts to limit extravagance in dress, banquets, and other aspects of social life were part of his broader campaign to maintain traditional Roman values in a rapidly changing world.

Cato also played a significant role in the economic sphere, particularly in agriculture, which he viewed as the backbone of Roman society and the source of its moral and physical strength.

His treatise "De Agri Cultura" is not only the oldest surviving work of Latin prose but also a reflection of his deep connection to the land and his belief in the importance of agriculture to the Roman way of life.

In this work, he provided practical advice on farming, which underscored his belief in hard work, efficiency, and practical wisdom.

Moreover, Cato's influence was evident in the realm of education and culture.

Although he was critical of Greek influence, fearing its potential to erode Roman values, he was himself well-educated and contributed to Roman intellectual life.

His speeches, known for their clarity and forcefulness, were models of Roman oratory, and his writings contributed to the development of Latin prose.

Cato's role in Roman society can also be seen in his lasting impact on Roman identity and self-perception.

His embodiment of what he considered to be true Roman virtues – austerity, integrity, and a commitment to public service – set a standard for Roman conduct.

His life and work were often cited by later generations as exemplars of Roman virtue, and his legacy continued to shape Roman ideals long after his death.

Cato the Elder's stance on Carthage was one of the defining aspects of his political career and had a lasting impact on Roman foreign policy.

His views were obviously shaped by his early experiences in the Second Punic War.

After the conclusion of the Second Punic War, Rome emerged as the dominant power in the western Mediterranean, but Carthage, though significantly weakened, remained a concern for many Roman leaders, including Cato.

Cato's frequent diplomatic missions throughout the Mediterranean further solidified his view that Carthage, despite its reduced state, continued to pose a significant threat to Roman interests.

Cato's most famous expression of his stance on Carthage came in the form of the phrase "Carthago delenda est" (Carthage must be destroyed).

This phrase, which he is said to have used to conclude many of his speeches, regardless of the topic, reflected his belief that Rome would never be secure as long as Carthage existed.

His insistence on the destruction of Carthage was not merely rhetorical; it was a policy position that he actively promoted in the Senate.

Cato's relentless advocacy for action against Carthage played a significant role in the lead-up to the Third Punic War (149-146 BCE).

Although Cato did not live to see the start of the war, his influence on Roman policy was evident.

The war, which resulted in the complete destruction of Carthage and the annexation of its territory as a Roman province, realized Cato's long-held objective.