Cato the Younger

Cato the Younger or Cato of Utica ( 95-46BC), was a prominent Roman, the great-grandson of Cato the Elder and named Marcus Porcius Cato after him. Following his great-grandfather's example, he became the symbol of honesty in public life.

Raised by his uncle Marcus Livius Drusus, he was deeply devoted to the principles of the Roman Republic. He was completely resistant to the prevalent graft and bribery. An extreme conservative, his consistent refusal to compromise made him unpopular with many of his colleagues.

He was a very strong opponent of Julius Caesar, correctly reading his aspirations to beome the supreme ruler of Rome. As a result, Clodius sent him (59BC) to Cyprus, virtually into exile. He supported Pompey after the break with Caesar, and held Dyrrhachium (modern Durazzo) for him until after the defeat at Pharsalus. Then he went to Africa and continued the struggle against Caesar there. Cato was in command at Utica. After Caesar's victory at Thapsus (46BC), Cato committed suicide, urging his friends to make their peace with Caesar. Cato's son-in-law Marcus Junius Brutus and Cicero both wrote eulogies on him while Caesar wrote his Anticato against him.