2.2 Cato and the Politics of the Optimates

• Where did stoicism come from?

  Originally stated by Greek philosopher Zeno in the 3rd century BC.
• What is austtere?

  Having no comforts or luxuries
• What is moral rectitude?

  Being honest and treating people with kindness
• What was central to Cato’s beliefs?

  The desire to preserve Rome’s culturally defining customs (especially politics)
• Who defended Murena against Cato in court?

  Cicero
• Who was Cato’s first wife?

  Atilia
• Why did Cato divorce Atilia?

  Due to alleged adultery
• Who was Hortensius?

  Cato’s close friend who hadn’t had any children in his marriage so Cato handed Marcia over to Hortensius so they could have children. After Hortensius died Marcia returned to live with Cato. Other Romans though this was quite a weird thing to do.
• Who were the opimates?

  The elite and traditional people of Rome who wanted to preserve the status quo
• What were most opimates linked by?


  Amicitia ties
• Why did Cato side with the opimates?

  He was from a noble family and increased his established status by marriage ties and political support, the idea of duty to and preservation of the state appealed to him and his stoic beliefs and he hated the Populares who the opimates were in opposition to
• Who was Cato's ancestors like that inspired him to join politics?

  His great grandfather Cato the Elder was consul and censor. His uncle was a tribune
• Example of Cato's eloquence and skill

  He convinced the Senate to execute the conspirators
• When does Cato become Tribune of the Plebs?

  62 BCE
• What did Cato do as Tribune?

  Introduced laws reducing price of grain and extending the grain dole
• How did Cato use the tribuneship traditionally?


  He brought all his motions before the senate rather than the popular assemblies
• When is Cato's failed consulship campaign?

  51 BCE
• When does Cato die?

  46 BCE
• When does Cicero write the eulogy to Cato?

  45 BCE
• How well did Pompey deal with the pirates?

  Took him 3 months rather than the 3 years he was given
• When did Pompey get rid of the pirates threatening the grain supply?

  67 BCE
• Why were pirates a threat in the early 60s?

  They were obstructing the grain supply
• Who proposed that Pompey should return from the East to deal with Cataline?

  The Tribune Nepos
• How did Cato attack Pompey in 62 BCE?

  When Nepos proposed that Pompey be restored to deal with Cataline, Cato tried to stop him speaking
• How did the Optimates insult Pompey in 60 BCE?

  They rejected his requests for land for his veterans and his Eastern treaties to be ratified
• When did Cato first support Pompey?

  He proposed that Pompey be sole consul
• How did Cato insult Caesar in 52 BCE?

  Pompey suggested co-consulship with Caesar but Cato proposed sole rule instead
• What military rumour was there about Clodius?

  Rumour that he had started a mutiny in 66 BCE
• What did Clodius do to Cato as Tribune?

  Sent Cato to Cyprus to annex some territory
• How did Cato and the Optimates respond to Caesar running for the consulship in 60 BCE?

  They gave all their support to the rival candidate, Cato's son in law Bibulus
• After Caesar became consul in 59 BCE, what did Cato threaten him with the for the next decade?

  Prosecution for illegal bribery during the campaign
• Whose description of Cato's death reflects its horror and therefore his ideological commitment?

  Plutarch
• Which battle caused Cato to kill himself?

  The Battle of Thapsus
• How did Cato praise Cicero after the Catiline Conspiracy?

  Named him pater patriae
• What alliance did Pompey offer Cato and how did Cato respond?

  Offered to marry Cato's niece between 61 BCE and 59 BCE but Cato rejected due to ideology
• What evidence is there that Cato wasn't being threatened and repressed by Clodius?

  He became praetor in 54 BCE
• How did Cato and Cicero come up against each other in 63 BCE?

  The Pro Murena bribery case in which Cicero defended and Cato prosecuted
• Example of amicitia between Cato and Hortensius?

  Cato gave him his wife Marcia to have a child with until Hortensius died
• What was Cato's military experience?

  A military tribune in Macedonia in 67 BCE
• What was Cato like as a military tribune in Macedonia in 67 BCE?

  He gave up luxury to live like his men and led from the front, enforcing extreme discipline and leading to a loyal following