Cato the Younger (Rome character)
| Cato the Younger | |
|---|---|
| Rome character | |
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|
| First appearance | "The Stolen Eagle" |
| Last appearance | "Utica" |
| Portrayed by | Karl Johnson |
| Information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Title | Plebeian |
| Family |
Servilia of the Junii (half-sister) Marcus Junius Brutus (nephew) |
Cato the Younger is a historical figure who features as a character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by actor Karl Johnson. He is depicted as an extreme traditionalist, against political and social decay, and a staunch defender of the Roman Republic. The real Cato the Younger was a Roman orator and politician.
Stubborn and proud, Cato first appears in the series at the senate meeting demanding to know from Pompey Magnus why Caesar was still in Gaul saying, "his illegal war is over!"
At the beginning of the series, Cato believes that the republic lives as long as people like him are prepared to fight for it. However, he appears to despise non-aristocratic Romans, viewing them as cattle. He replied to Metellus Scipio's statement: "What a dreadful noise Plebs make when they're happy..." by saying: "This is music. Wait until Caesar starts them howling for our blood – then you'll hear something dreadful."
When the civil wars begin, Marcus Junius Brutus, Marcus Tullius Cicero and Metellus Scipio try to persuade Pompey accept a truce with Caesar. Cato is the only one who refuses to end the war, seeing right through Caesar's "truce" saying: "Don't you see? He's trying to put a wedge between us!"
After the battle of Pharsalus, Cato is one of the few remaining patricians who is willing to fight on against Caesar. Eventually towards the end of the series, following his and Scipio's defeat at Thapsus, he begins to lose faith in his belief and even asks Scipio to try to make peace with Caesar. He appears very different from the stubborn and proud Cato from earlier in the series, and even speaks fairly humorously to Scipio. For example, when Scipio states that where there is life, there is hope, Cato replies: "I think, if anything, we have disproved that proverb, old friend". Determined not to surrender, Cato proves to be honourable and brave, as he kills himself in order to ensure that Caesar won't have the chance of humiliating him.
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Wikipedia