Cato: An Insight into Greek Influence on Roman Culture

It is clearly evident that Greek culture has impacted Roman society in countless forms from its art and architecture to its culture and ideals. In Plutarch's Cato the Elder, he makes notes of things like these, but more importantly he gives more subtle clues as to how the Greeks have influenced everyday Roman lives. By examining Cato, a prominent Roman citizen and a man often considered worth emulating, it is possible to see the influences of Greek culture on his life and transitively on all Roman life.

Plutarch describes Cato as a man worth modeling oneself after in all facets of life, except perhaps his treatment of slaves. Plutarch remarks on his frugality, work ethic, and his ability to put the welfare of the state before his own welfare. He was a man who rose from plebian birth to become Censor, the most coveted position of the Roman Republic. He was widely famed for his military exploits and for his political maneuverings.

But, before he became extremely prominent in Roman society, he first needed to rise out of obscurity. Politicians could only do this by becoming effective public speakers, much like in the democratic city-states of Greece. Now Cato faced a slight problem, he was not always the great speaker that he was when he became Censor late in his life.

He first began by serving in law courts, fighting for people's rights. He gained the reputation of a hard worker who dedicated himself to his cause. As he became more and more popular he began to enter into the politics in Rome being hailed as "a second Demosthenes" (Plutarch, Cato the Elder, pg. 4). Herein is where the influence of Greek culture can be seen in everyday Roman life. It is not great Romans that contemporary Roman politicians are compared to, but rather great Greek ones.

Plutarch's entire collection of The Parallel Lives is the perfect example how exemplary Romans were compared to great Greeks rather than great Romans. Despite Cato's dislike for people like Scipio who indulged almost completely in Greek culture, he used the sayings of great Greeks, such as Themistocles in his speeches. He took their ideas and manipulated them to serve his purposes. He ridiculed the men of the prestigious senate with Themistocles's help by saying that each man is ruled by his wife, while men rule over women.

It is not the actual statement that shows any relevance in to Greek influence, but the fact that Cato used the statement. Cato, the prominent Roman citizen who looked down on some Romans' obsession with Greek culture - he actually wrote documents in Latin rather than Greek - was also influenced by it. Cato, in Plutarch's The Parallel Lives, is compared to being a Roman Aristides. It is not known whether Cato would approve of this connection, but it was made and the connection shows a heavy reliance on prestige being related to Greek society and values. Cato's life is full of references to his glory and honor as a Roman citizen, but the standards of Roman society are inherently Greek, and thus, have become heavily influenced by all that is Greek.

Bibliography

Plutarch. Roman Lives. Trans. By R. Waterfield; with introduction and Notes by P. Stadter. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.