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Admin moved page How did Cato the Elder alter the course Roman history? to How did Cato the Elder alter the course Roman history
Many conservatives approved because they agreed that luxury was undermining the character of young Romans. It was during his time as censor that Cato displayed a deep dislike of all things foreign. Indeed many of his policies were almost xenophobic. He had a particular dislike of Greeks; this was probably because of their growing influence in the city. During his time as censor, Cato, an efficient man who improved the city's water supply, reformed the taxation system, and reorganized government contracting. The austere Roman is also credited with building the first Basilica, which became a standard feature of many Roman or Romanized cities.
After his term as censor was complete, he continued to serve in the Senate. He became a very famous figure as much for his politics as his lifestyle. Cato, despite his wealth, still lived a frugal and austere lifestyle and continued to work on his farm. Indeed, so severe was his lifestyle that the great man lived like his slaves.<ref> Plutarch, Life of Cato, the Elder, 7</ref>. This made him the titular leader of the conservative or patrician party in Rome.
In the later years of his life, he urged the Senate to renew Rome’s conflict with Carthage, despite an existing peace treaty. Cato the Elder firmly believed that Carthage could go to war with Rome, even after it had been decisively defeated in the Second Punic War. He died before the war he sought with Carthage ended in a complete victory for the Republic.<ref> Miles, Richard. Carthage Must Be Destroyed: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Civilization (London, Allen Lane, 2010), p 345</ref> For Cato, life was one continual struggle, and only if Rome was disciplined and austere could it thrive. <ref>Plutarch, 8</ref> This was in line with traditional Roman values and moral standards. His grandson Cato the Younger became the Patricians leader and the avowed enemy of Julius Caesar.
As a young man, the future Consul fought many battles against the armies of Hannibal. He had personally witnessed how close Rome had come to defeat. When he visited Carthage on a diplomatic mission in 153/154 BC, he was shocked by how quickly the city regained its strength and wealth. He came to believe that Carthage would once again pose a challenge to Rome and its Empire. Cato the Elder believed that Rome should attack before the great Punic city became too strong. In the Senate, he constantly demanded a war against the Punic city-state <ref> Miles, p 378</ref>. He would end every speech he made with the line “Carthage must be destroyed.” Soon, he persuaded the Senate and the Consuls to become more aggressive with the old enemy. The Romans demanded more concessions from the Carthaginians, such as moving their city inland.
This provoked a war and led to the destruction of Rome’s greatest enemy. Cato the Elder did not live to see the destruction of his hated enemy. He died in 149, before the annihilation of the Punic city. Without the campaign of Cato, it is possible that Carthage could have endured and even once again challenged Rome. The disappearance of Carthage was to have immense consequences for Rome. For example, it The destruction of Carthage ultimately led it allowed Rome to become a North Africa power, and the rich farmland of their old enemy became the granary of Rome. This change was all in part due to the campaign of Cato and his implacable hatred of the Carthaginians .<ref> Cicero, On Old Age On Friendship On Divination (Cambridge, Loeb Classical Library No. 154, 1956), p 45</ref>
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