Who were Cicero and Cato?

Answer 1

Cicero was a statesman, orator, philosopher ,constitutionalist, political theorist, moralist, and lawyer. He started his career as a lawyer later and wrote extensively on constitutional matters. He translated many works of Greek philosophers and created a Latin philosophic vocabulary, thus making Greek philosophy more widely available. He also wrote about political theory. He was one of the greatest prose writers and orators in Roman history. His great linguistic skills, prose, and writings on moral and civic issues, have made him on of the most influential writers in European history.

Cicero was consul in 63 BC. In 60 BC, Julius Caesar invited him to join the First Triumvirate, but he refused because he thought it would undermine the Republic . Politically, he was an Optimate (conservative). In the fight between Pompey and Caesar, he sided with the former. He later urged the senate to declare Antony an enemy of the state and made a famous speech against him. Antony got the Second Triumvirate had him executed.

Cato the Younger was an Optimate politician. He was also a Stoic philosopher and fought against corruption. He opposed the First Triumvirate. He managed to persuade a reluctant senate to force Pompey to choose between being granted a triumph and give up a consulship. He managed to force Caesar to make the same choice by continuously obstructing the debate. He opposed a law that granted land to Pompey's veterans. He tried to prevent Caesar's 5-year appointment as governor of Illyria and Cisalpine Gaul and the appointment of Crassus to an Eastern command. He later tried to cause a brake up between Caesar and Pompey. In the civil war followed Pompey to Greece, escaped to African and then committed suicide.