Cato

(kātō,) the WISE, a surname borne by MARCUS PORCIUS PRISCUS, commonly called Cato Major, to distinguish him from his descendant, C. of Utica, was B. 234 B. C. After serving with distinction in the field, and afterward filling many high civil offices, C. was elected consul, B. c. 195, in conjunction with his friend and patron, L. Valerius Flaccus. After reducing Hither Spain to subjection, he finished his military career on the field of Thermopylæ, B. c. 191. Appointed censor, B. c. 184, he performed the duties of that office with such strictne and impartiality as to expose him to the animosity of the patricians. D. 149, leaving behind him several works, among them De Re Rustic a, and Origines, besides a number of orations.-MARCUS PORCIUS C., great-grandson of the above, surnamed Uticensis (of Utica), was B. 95 B. c. He early served in the army with distinction, was elected quæstor in 65, and was an active supporter of Cicero in the latter's suppre ion of the treason of Cat i line. C. became prætor in54, and on the outbreak of the civil war became a partisan of Pompey, whom he followed into Africa after the battle ofPharsalia. Committed suicide,45 B. c. [s. 154]