HIST 2100 Lecture : Plutarch's Life of Elder Cato (Assigned Reading) Summary of the Cato's Life. Focuses on his lifestyle (simple and cheap) compared to the norms of Rome (extravagant). His political, social and military contritions. (Autobiography)
Document Summary
Cato and aristides were passionate about teach the people about morals; honest and traditional virtues. Cato was interested in building his estate but was thrifty (stingy). Plutarch"s sources are of cato"s own speeches and writings where he quotes a couple times in the biography [25]. Cato was the 1st to record his own speeches. Other historians like cicero may have been more imaginative when speaking of cato. Livy"s accounts are omitted from plutarch"s history of cato. Plutarch does not record year by year like livy. He thought highly of his father, marcus and his grandfather, cato, for their military skills and excellence. Marcus cato name was originally priscus, but because of his accomplishments, romans named him cato (a name given to anyone who was astute). Cato lived a simple life and was a handyman. He was well built and a good public speaker. He often participated in courts for people (did not charge them).
