Cato and the Optimates

Who were the key optimates in the late Republic?

Sulla

Lucullus

Hortensius

Bibulus

Ahenobarbus

Cato

Cicero

When was Cato quaestor?

64

When was Cato tribune?

62

When was Cato’s governorship of Cyprus?

57-56

When was Cato praetor?

54

What year did Cato stand for the consulship?

51

Who were Cato’s main allies?

Ahenobarbus

Bibulus

Cicero

Pompey

Hortensius

Who were Cato’s main opponents?

Caesar

Clodius

Catiline

Pompey

What philosophy did Cato adhere to?

Stoicism

Who originated Stoicism?

Zeno of Cyprus

What are the four Stoic virtues?

wisdom, temperance, justice, courage

Was Cato’s suicide seen as Stoic?

yes

What were some methods of corruption in the late Republic?

bribery, civil war, violence, intimidation, exploitation, illegal dictatorship

Was Cato corrupt?

no

Why did Cato fail to be elected consul?

he refused to use bribes 

What did the populares use to try to corrupt Cato?

governorship of Cyprus

What was the main difference between Cicero and Cato?

Cicero was more pragmatic and flexible than Cato

What did Cicero and Cato argue should happen to the Catilinarian conspirators?

execution

At whose trial did Cicero and Cato oppose each other, and what was the charge?

Murena, corruption

What did Cicero do after Cato’s death?

write a complimentary pamphlet called the Cato

Who forced the First Triumvirate together?

Cato

What request of Crassus’ did Cato block in 61?

renegotiation of the publicani’s contracts

What did Cato refuse Pompey in 60?

marriage alliance 

How did Cato oppose Caesar’s request to stand for the consulship in absentia in 60?

filibuster

What law of Caesar’s did Cato oppose in 59?

Lex Campania

Why did Cato oppose the First Triumvirate

inimicitia

Stoic principle of justice

mos maiorum

optimate values 

fear of dominatio

What policy did Caesar operate with during the Civil War?

clementia

Who did Cato support during the Civil War?

Pompey

Where did Cato commit suicide?

Utica, Africa

When did Cato commit suicide?

48

How did Cato oppose corruption as quaestor?

reviewing the public accounts and organising prosecutions

What bill did Cato pass as tribune which was slightly popularis?

extension of the corn dole

Who did Cato refuse to hear Pompey eulogise?

Plancus 

How did Cato display his integrity at the end of the governorship of Cyprus?

tying cork to the chests of silver collected