Source edition
Cornelius Nepos. Cornelii Nepotis Vitae. Fleckeisen, Alfred; Halm, Karl, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1886.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a concise biography tracing the life and political career of Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato), a prominent statesman and military commander of the Roman Republic. The narrative begins with his youth, his relocation to Rome, and his early political climb from military tribune to praetor, noting his significant act of bringing the poet Ennius to the city. It then details his achievements as consul during his campaign in Hispania and his rivalry with Scipio Africanus. The latter part of the work focuses on his severe measures as censor and his lifelong political struggles against various adversaries. Ultimately, the biography presents a vivid portrait of Cato's unyielding character and his dedicated efforts to preserve traditional Roman virtues.