Cato’s Suicide: In the Defense of the Republic
By Michael Patrick Mulroy, co-founder of the Lobo Institute
Rome did not start as the autocracy it became, in the imperial period; it was once a Republic. In the Late Republic period, there was major social unrest, political instability, and near-constant military conflicts. This uncertainty created opportunities for ambitious leaders willing to seize power for their own ends.
The Roman Senate became less effective and therefore relinquished more power. This further added to the vacuum of leadership. (The word Senate comes from senex, the word for “old men.”) As they ceded more of their authority, they essentially began to look out for their interest rather than those of the people of Rome or even the very institution that they belonged to, which had existed for five centuries.
In this vacuum, a skilled general, and gifted orator, who had just won a significant military victory in Gaul, saw an opportunity—Julius Caesar. He was from the Julian clan, and although he had grown up in a life of privilege, and had gone to the most elite schools, he aligned himself with the populares party, the party of the people.
Caesar used his strategic alliances with Pompey, a celebrated general, and Crassus, the wealthiest man in Rome, to rise through the political ranks. This alliance would eventually fall apart. As Caesar’s power grew it became apparent that he intended to lead as an autocrat, or tyrant.
Enter a man who would become one of the best-known figures in Stoicism—Marcus Porcius Cato, aka Cato the Younger. He was a revered military officer, embodying the best virtues and principles of a soldier. Cato saw himself as a staunch supporter of the Republic and the principles it represented. He realized the threat that Caesar posed to everything he believed in and fought his whole life to protect the freedom of the Republic by obstructing Caesar’s rise to power.
The more Caesar gained political influence, the more he was opposed by Cato, who was a senator at that time. Cato fought back against Caesar’s every attempt to bypass the Senate and its procedures, the only check on the power of the military.
Then came the First Triumvirate, an alliance between Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus that sought to undermine the Senate, in a takeover of power from that core institution. Caesar continued his military conquests and political efforts for a consulship, the highest political office.
Cato grew increasingly concerned about the damage the Triumvirate was inflicting on the senatorial system of checks and balances. He attempted to recruit other senators to oppose them, but many refused, being afraid of the consequences. Cato demanded that Caesar relinquish command of his legions before returning to Rome, fearing a military takeover.
On January 10, 49 BCE, Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with his troops, an illegal act without the consent of the Senate, so in essence he declared war on his own country, and the very system of government he had sworn to uphold. This act ruptured the First Triumvirate, with Pompey joining the forces of the Senate and Cato. Together they made a last stand for freedom, choosing to fight rather than live under the tyranny of a dictator.
Caesar eventually defeated Pompey’s senatorial army at the Battle of Pharsalus, in Greece. The civil war continued, however, until the Battle of Thapsus, in modern-day Tunisia, where the forces of resistance fought and were defeated by the legions loyal to Caesar. Surrounded, and in a final act of defiance, Cato, after reading about the immortality of the soul in Plato’s Phaedo, committed suicide rather than take a pardon from Caesar, and live under his totalitarian regime. Two years later, on February 15, 44 BCE, Caesar declared himself dictator perpetuo or dictator for life.
Cato’s suicide became a powerful symbol of Stoic virtue and the ultimate commitment to liberty and democratic principles. A symbol and a leader that would inspire philosophers during the Enlightenment, including Adam Smith, Thomas Jefferson, and Voltaire (all known to have been inspired by Stoic philosophy) as well as military leaders and their soldiers for generations to come.
Not all the pomp and majesty of Rome
Can raise her senate more than Cato’s presence.
His virtues render our assembly awful,
They strike with something like religious fear,
And make even Caesar tremble at the head
Of armies flush’d with conquest. — Joseph Addison
On the night of March 4, 1778, during the brutal winter at a place called Valley Forge, George Washington had his officers and soldiers take the time to watch a performance of Cato: A Tragedy by Joseph Addison to inspire courage and patriotism in what to some looked like overwhelming odds against them.
By presenting Cato’s unwavering commitment to liberty, Washington was likely attempting to portray a connection between the fall of the Roman Republic and the American struggle against British totalitarian rule, urging his troops to embrace sacrifice and endure whatever hardship they faced in the name of freedom.
The questions for us today: Would we have that same spirit should our democratic system of government be challenged? Do we have any Catos in the Senate? In the House of Representatives? In the military, media, academia, the clergy, or business?
People who are willing to sacrifice all in the defense of the republic.
Mick Mulroy is the co-founder of the Lobo Institute.
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