classics - politics of the late republic

who was Cato the younger?

Cato was an optimate politician, a stoic philosopher and great grandson of Cato the elder. He was passionate about maintaining the republic and the mos maiorum

what is stoicism?

a school of philossphy developed by a Greek called Zeno of Cyprus in early 3rd century BC

what are the features of stoicism?

• tolerance

• virtue

• reason and logic

• self control over ones emotions

• free will

• dealing with the world as it is

• 4 cardinal virtues; wisdom, temperance (self-restraint), justice and courage

Cato’s integrity

cato concerned with maintaining his integrity and avoided corrupt political practices. influenced by his stoic beliefs and upholding the mos maiorum his integrity perservered, though he could be fanatic

what episodes in Cato’s life show his integrity?

• his quaestorship in the Roman treasury

• the corn dole legislation in 62 BC

• transport of wealth from Cyprus as role of governor

• trials of Plancu in 51 BC

• his failed consular bid in 51 BC

what was the realtionship between Clodius and Cato?

Clodius exiled Cato to Cyprus though Cresswell says their relationship wasn’t entirely negative

what was the realtionship between Cicero and Cato?

both were optimate politicians though Cicero was a novus homo and accepted the clementia from Caesar. They both embraced the traditions of the res publica and belived in the collective auctoritas of the ruling aristocracy.

what episodes showed the relationship between Cicero and Cato?

• the trial of Murena in 63 BC

• Cato blocking Cicero’s request for a triumph in 50 BC

• Cicero writes the ‘Cato’ after Cato’s death in 46 BC

which three politicians made up the first triumvirate?

Pompey, Crassus and Caesar

what reasons did the three politicians have for joining the first triumvirate?

• Caesar wanted a triumph for his military achievement and the consulship of 59 BC

• Pompey wanted land for his veterans and his Eastern settlements ratified

• Crassus wanted the contracts for the publicani renegotiated

what episodes show the relationship between Cato and the first triumvirate?

• Cato blocking the publicani’s request to have tax contracts reduced in 61/60 BC

• in 60 BC Cato refuses the offer of a marriage alliance with Pompey

• in 60 BC Cato blocked Caesars request for a triumph using the filibuster

• in 59 BC Cato is arrested