Extract

Marcus Porcius Cato (1), 'Cato the Censor', was a dominant figure in both the political and the cultural life of Rome in the first half of the 2nd cent. bce. A *novus homo, he was born at *Tusculum, but spent much of his childhood in the Sabine country (see sabini), where his family owned land. He served in the Hannibalic War (see punic wars), winning particular praise for his contribution at the battle of the *Metaurus in 207. He embarked on a political career under the patronage of the patrician L. *Valerius Flaccus (1), who was his colleague in both consulship and censorship. As quaestor 204 he served under P. *Cornelius Scipio Africanus in Sicily and Africa; a constant champion of traditional Roman virtues, he looked with disfavour on Scipio's adoption of Greek customs and relaxed military discipline in Sicily, but the story that he came back to Rome to express his criticisms should be rejected. He is said to have returned from Africa via Sardinia, bringing thence the poet *Ennius to Rome.