9. Cato

• Cato was born in 95 BC and was from a noble plebeian family.
• Cato was a stoic which was seen through his simple clothes (black toga), his simple food (cabbage), his giving away of his wealth and his eventual suicide.
• Stoicism: Philosophy that promoted ideas of self-control over one's emotions.
• Stoicism means not giving into your emotions, enduring hardship, and rising above fortune, pleasure and pain. Roman stoics promoted ideas of manliness, wisdom and duty.
• Whilst also being a stoic, Cato was a firm optimates who never resorted to bribery. This shows his ability to rise above fortune.
• Cato shared his men's sleeping quarters and work when they were sent to Macedon in 67 BC.
• Cato had volunteered to fight against the rebel Spartacus, as he feared the safety of the republic.
• Cato's stoicism is displayed through his subjection to violent exercise, learning to endure the cold with minimum clothing
• Even though he was strict in discipline and punishment, he was still loved by his legionaries
• Cato was the only candidate for the quaestorship who did not resort to bribery
• In 72BC, Cato volunteered to fight in the war against Spartacus, showing his concern for the safety of the republic. He was offered rewards for his military success this year by the consul Gellius, but he declined.
• Cato feared for the safety of the republic. One of his first moves as quaestor in 64 BC was to prosecute former quaestors for illegal use of funds and dishonesty. He also prosecuted Sulla's informers.