Cato, Marcus Porcius << KAY toh, MAHR kuhs PAWR shee uhs >> the Elder (234-149 B.C.), was a prominent soldier and statesman of ancient Rome. He began his political career under Valerius Flaccus, an influential Roman. Flaccus was impressed with Cato’s service in the war against Hannibal of Carthage. Cato was known as a conservative because he generally opposed change. For 50 years after the war, Cato fought against the luxury Romans enjoyed as the city’s wealth increased. As censor (a high administrative official), he tried to restore simplicity to Roman life.
Toward the end of his life, Cato was alarmed by the recovery of Carthage. He is said to have ended every speech with the phrase, “Carthage must be destroyed.” His warnings encouraged Rome to fight Carthage again, and the Romans destroyed Carthage in 146 B.C.
Cato opposed the influence of the Greeks, but he learned Greek at the age of 80. He published his speeches and wrote a book on farming that gives a picture of life in ancient Italy. Cato was the great-grandfather of Cato the Younger .
