Life of Cato the Elder from Plutarch’s Lives Cato the Elder…

Question Answered step-by-step Life of Cato the Elder from Plutarch’s Lives Cato the Elder… Life of Cato the Elder from Plutarch’s LivesCato the Elder (234-149 BCE) was a Roman statesman. He fought as a military tribune in the Second Punic War. His is remembered for his oratorical and legal skills and his rigid conservative policies and morality.He gained, in early life, a good habit of body by working with his own hands, and living temperately, and serving in war; and seemed to have an equal proportion both of health and strength. And he exerted and practised his eloquence through all the neighbourhood and little villages…He would never refuse to be counsel for those who needed him, and was early reckoned a good lawyer and a capable orator.Hence his depth of character showed itself, and he claimed employment in great affairs and places of public command. Nor did he merely abstain from taking fees for his counsel and pleading, but did not even seem to put any high price on the honour which proceeded from such kind of combats, preferring to train himself in the camp and in real fights; and while yet but a youth, had his breast covered with scars he had received from the enemy: being (as he himself says) but seventeen years old when he made his first campaign; in the time when Hannibal, in the height of his success, was burning and pillaging all Italy. In engagements he would strike boldly, without flinching, stand firm to his ground, fix a bold countenance upon his enemies, and with a harsh threatening voice accost them, justly thinking himself and telling others that such a rugged kind of behaviour sometimes terrifies the enemy more than the sword itself. In his marches he bore his own arms on foot, whilst one servant only followed, to carry the provision for his table, with whom he is said never to have been angry or hasty whilst he made ready his dinner or supper, but would when he was free from military duty, assist and help him himself to dress it. When he was with the army, he used to drink only water; unless, perhaps, when extremely thirsty, he might mingle it with a little vinegar, or if he found his strength fail him, take a little wine.The little country house of Manius Curius, who had been thrice carried in triumph, happened to be near his farm; so that often going thither, and contemplating the smallness of the place, and plainness of the dwelling, he formed an idea of the mind of the person, who being one of the greatest of the Romans…was contented to live in such a cottage. Here it was that the ambassadors of the Samnites, finding him boiling turnips in the chimney corner, offered him a present of gold; but he sent them away saying; that he, who was content with such a supper, had no need of gold; and that he thought it more honourable to conquer those who possessed the gold, than to possess the gold itself…he fell in love the more with frugality and temperance. With this exception, he is said not to have studied Greek until when he was pretty old; and in rhetoric to have then profited a little by Thucydides, but more by Demosthenes….he laboured with his own hands, went on foot in the morning to the courts to assist those who wanted his counsel. When it was winter, he would throw a loose frock over his shoulders, and in the summer time would work without anything on among his domestic servants, sit down with them, eat of the same bread, and drink of the same wine. When they spoke, also, of other good qualities, his fair dealing and moderation, mentioning also some of his wise sayings, he ordered that he should be invited to supper; and thus becoming personally assured of his fine temper and his superior character, which, like a plant, seemed only to require culture and a better situation, he urged and persuaded him to apply himself to state affairs at Rome. …Moreover, they say that, shaking his gown, he took occasion to let drop some African figs before the Senate. And on their admiring the size and beauty of them, he presently added, that the place that bore them was but three days’ sail from Rome. Nay, he never after this gave his opinion, but at the end he would be sure to come out with this sentence, “ALSO, CARTHAGE MUST BE DESTOYED.” 1. Who is Cato?2. What values does he exemplify by his actions?3. What specific acts does he do to show these values?  History World History HIST 101 Share QuestionEmailCopy link Comments (0)