cato and optimates Flashcards
Cato’s beliefs
Conservative
believed in the central role of the nobiles and senate
Status quo
Devotion to the state
Preserve traditional order of the Roman state
Who did Cato want to thwart
what he perceived to be the unacceptable face of personal ambition embodied by POPULIST individual
Cato was born into
noble plebeian family
Cato served as
praetor, quaestor and tribune
Stoicism
For romans meant duty to state
virtue was ultimate good and morals
Self control
RATIONALITY
when did cato successfully run for tribune
62 BC
only candidate to do it without corruption and bribery
what happened in 51BC
Cato failed in is attempt for consulship
Reason was his refusal to use bribery
Stoicism hinders his personal ambition
Down falls of Cato’s stoicism
Failed to achieve his own personal ambition and increase his power
Also allowed enemys and opposition of Cato like Caesar to be empowered to fulfil their own ambitions
Through the alienation of the members of the 1st TV, by Cato and his stoic beliefs he resulted in the start of civil war and the fall of the Republic
why did cato champion the optimates cause
He was from a noble family. So wanted to maintain their central role in Rome
Optimates were bound by amicitea. Cato also furthered his status through it
He needed strong political support
Believed in their views of maintaining status qou and loyalty to the state
Both opposed to populares
Dates of the Catiline Conspiracy
64-63BC
Info about the Catiline Conspiracy
Catiline and his conspirators wanted to overthrow the senate. Cato and optimates found out and the conspirators got arrested
On the 5th of December Cato made a speech convincing senate for the death penalty saying they commited treason
Caesar opposed this decision saying they were still citizens of Rome
Why did Cato want to be Tribune
He had tribunes in his family ancestry so wanted to carrying on the tradition
Realised the power of the tribune and how he could get public favour, which would increase his status and power
What did Cato do as tribune
Decreased grain price
Doubled corn dole
For the people, increases his status and power
Used tribunate as a force to strengthen status quo and extended his patronage
63 BC
anti bribery bills
