CATO, MARCUS PORCIUS, who was surnamed UTICENSIS (of Utica) from the place of his death, was the great-grandson of Cato the Censor, and was born D.C. 93. Ho is said to have shown in early youth great powers of mind and firmness of character. When very young he was chosen to fill the office of priest of Apollo, and that he might the better discharge the duties of his office, be determined to secure the Instructions of a preceptor in morality. The character of his mind naturally led him to embrace the philosophy of the Porch, and he became a pupil of Antipatcr the Stoic. Inflexible decision, severity and harshness, appear to have been the prominent features of his mind ; and the great privations and hardships to which he frequently subjected himself, such as abstaining from food and making long journeys bare headed and in all weathers, were calculated to strengthen these peculiarities. His half-brother Cmpio was lost at sea, on which occasion be is said to have relaxed the sternness of his spirit, and he who rarely laughed was then seen to weep. The body was cast ashore by the waves, and was buried by Cato with great honours.
Cato's military career commenced with his serving as a volunteer in the war of Spartacus, in which campaign he is said to have refused the distinctions with which Gallus, his commander, would have rewarded him. He afterwards went as a legionary tribune to Mace donia, and there presented a model of sobriety and courage. The designs of Metellus subsequently induced him to become a candidate for the office of tribune of the people. He was successful in his application, and gained by his conduct the general esteem of the public. Cato took part with Cicero against Catiline, and first gave him the title of 'Pater Patrias' (' Father of his Fatherland') : the speech which he made on this occasion respecting the punishment of the conspirators is preserved in Sallust. (' c. 52.) He vehemently opposed the union of Pompey, Crassus, and Caesar, and though threatened with banishment, fearlessly spoke against Cresar'a Agrarian Law. Through the influence of Clodius he was sent to seize Cyprus, in the hope that he would destroy his own influence by failing in the enterprise ; and, that he might be kept the longer away from Rome, he was ordered to go to Byzantium to settle the affairs of that town. On his return be
was elected praetor, in which office he endeavoured as far as possible to put a stop to bribery and corruption. At length, being unable to bring about a reconciliation between Caesar and Pompey, be sided with the latter, and on the death of Pompey went over to Africa. Some dispute arising about the command of the troops in Africa, Cato resigned it to Q. Metellua Scipio, the father-in-law of Pompey ; but he after wards repented of this step, and wished that be had retained tho command in compliance with the wishes of the army. Africa soon submitted to Caesar, and the little that remained to oppose him was contained in the city of Utica. Cato encouraged his countrymen to stand a siege, but the approach of Cresar alarmed them into submission. Upon this Cato advised his friends to save themselves by flight, and he even accompanied them to the port. Those who remained in Utica chose Lucius Caesar to intercede for them with the conqueror, and Cato, though he would not allow his own name to be included iu the petition, is said to have composed the speech which L. Caesar was to make. After an evening's meal, and a spirited conversation with some other philosophers, he withdrew to his chamber, and after embracing his son and friends with unusual affection, he lay down and read a portion of Plato's 'Phasclon' on the immortality of the soul. His son and friends in vain entreated him to desist from his resolution to commit suicide. He stabbed himself below the breast, and died tho same night. The inhabitants of Utica exhibited the utmost sorrow at the death of one whom they regarded as their benefaotor and deliverer, nor did the approach of Caesar prevent them from solemnising his funeral with the greatest pomp. When Cmsar heard of Cato'a death be is said to have exclaimed, "Cato, I envy thee thy death, since thou halt envied me the glory of saving thy life!" He died, according to some, in the forty-eighth, and according to others, in the fifty-ninth year of his age.
(Plutarch, Life of Cato ; Cicero, De Oftic., i. 31 ; Sallust, Catil., cc. 52.54; Valer. Maxim., ii. 10, 7; Aul. Gell., iv.'10; Herat., Ocl. i. 12, 35, ii. I, 24; Lucan, i. 128; Virg., din., vi. 841, viii. 670; Juven., xi. 90.)