The tumultuous history of the Roman Republic is populated with compelling figures, but Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis, known as Cato the Younger, holds a particularly prominent place. His unwavering principles and dramatic defiance resonated deeply with his contemporaries and continue to capture imaginations centuries later. Beyond his political life and philosophical stances, Cato’s story is also intertwined with the tangible artifacts of his time – his coins. This exploration delves into the world of “Cato Moneyer,” examining the coinage issued under his authority and what these coins reveal about his values and the turbulent era of the late Roman Republic.
Cato’s significance was undeniable even in his own time. Cicero’s praise of Cato spurred Caesar to pen a counter-pamphlet, Anticatones, while Brutus lauded him and Octavian criticized him. This intense political attention underscores his importance. While the historical Cato was undoubtedly a complex individual, his enduring image is one of unyielding virtue, honesty in a corrupt age, and a staunch defender of the Roman Republic’s ideals of liberty – an image powerfully captured in 19th-century art and echoed through history.
Alt text: Painting depicting Cato the Younger’s suicide in Utica, highlighting his dramatic and principled death.
This symbolic Cato appears throughout history, from Dante Alighieri placing him in Purgatory in The Divine Comedy as a seeker of liberty, to Joseph Addison’s play “Cato” inspiring revolutionary sentiments with lines like “It is not now a time to talk of aught / But chains or conquest, liberty or death,” famously echoed in Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death!” Even today, Cato’s name is invoked in political discourse, particularly when debates arise concerning liberty and the public good.
Amidst this enduring fascination with Cato, the material culture of his time provides another fascinating avenue for understanding him. The small metal artifacts – the coins – minted under his authority offer a direct link to Cato the Moneyer. During the Roman Republic, moneyers were officials responsible for the production of coins. These roles were often held by young, aspiring politicians and provided a platform to project messages and cultivate public image. For Cato, in the midst of a civil war against Caesar, coinage became a powerful tool.
One significant coin minted by Cato dates to 47/46 BCE in North Africa, shortly before his death on April 12, 46 BCE. This denarius offers a glimpse into Cato’s mindset during this critical period.
Alt text: Silver denarius coin minted by M. Porcius Cato in North Africa, depicting a draped female bust and Victory seated.
This Roman Republican denarius, issued by M. Porcius Cato, features:
- Obverse: A draped female bust facing right, with the inscription “M. CATO. PRO. PR.” before the bust. This inscription identifies the moneyer as Marcus Cato and “Pro Praetore,” indicating his status as a propraetor, a magistrate with praetorian authority, in the province.
- Reverse: Victory seated right, holding a patera (a shallow dish used for libations). The inscription “VICTRIX” is in the exergue (below the design).
This coin’s reverse commemorates the Victoria Virgo, a shrine near the temple of Victory dedicated by an earlier Marcus Porcius Cato. The imagery of Victory on Cato’s coin is particularly poignant given his context. He was engaged in a losing battle against Caesar, yet he chose to depict Victory, suggesting his unyielding spirit and perhaps a symbolic claim to moral victory even in the face of military defeat.
Cato’s commitment to his principles and his refusal to compromise are further illustrated in Plutarch’s account. Offered intervention by a relative of Caesar to negotiate peace, Cato refused, stating he would not be indebted to a tyrant for unjust acts. This unwavering stance, even when facing certain defeat, epitomizes the legendary Cato. His subsequent suicide in Utica, vividly and gruesomely described by Plutarch, became the ultimate expression of his principles, choosing death over submission to Caesar.
Interestingly, even Caesar, his political nemesis, acknowledged Cato’s integrity after his death, reportedly saying, “O Cato, I begrudge thee thy death; for thou didst begrudge me the sparing of thy life.” This begrudging admiration highlights the profound impact Cato had, even on those who opposed him.
Cato’s coinage also echoes an earlier coin minted by an M. Cato in 89 BCE. While the precise identity of this earlier M. Cato is debated by historians and numismatists, the similarities between the coins are striking.
Alt text: Silver denarius coin minted by M. Cato in 89 BCE, showing a diademed female bust and Victory seated with symbols.
This earlier Roman Republican denarius, issued by M. Cato, features:
- Obverse: A diademed and draped female bust right, with “ROMA” behind and “M CATO” below the neck truncation.
- Reverse: Victory seated right, holding a patera and a palm branch. Below the seat is “ST” and “VICTRIX” in the exergue.
The recurring imagery of Victory and the shared name “M. Cato” across these coins, despite the decades separating them, suggests a deliberate connection and the enduring power of family names and symbolic messaging in Roman society. The “ST” on the reverse of the 89 BCE coin is a control mark, further illustrating the detailed system of Roman coin production.
Beyond coinage, the name “M. Porcius” is also associated with amphorae stamps, suggesting a possible connection to wine trade in Gallia Narbonensis during the Republic. While the exact relationship between “M. Porcius” the wine merchant and Cato the Younger remains speculative, it highlights the diverse activities and economic networks within Roman society during this period.
In conclusion, examining Cato the Younger as “Cato Moneyer” offers a unique and tangible way to understand his life and times. His coins are not merely currency; they are historical artifacts imbued with symbolism and political messaging. They reflect his unwavering commitment to his ideals, his defiance against Caesar, and his enduring legacy as a symbol of Roman Republican virtue. These small metal objects serve as powerful reminders of a complex historical figure and the tumultuous era in which he lived and died.
References
- Crawford, M. (1974). Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge University Press.
- Crawford, M., & Wiseman T. (1964). The Coinage of the Age of Sulla. The Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Royal Numismatic Society, 4, 141-158.
- Dante Alighieri. Divine Comedy, Purgatorio, Canto I.
- Livy. History of Rome, Book 35.
- Plutarch. Life of Cato the Younger.
- Rowland, R. (1969). M. Porcius the Wine Merchant. Historia: Zeitschrift Für Alte Geschichte, 18(3), 374-5.
