Porcius Cato

Porcius Cato

Background

Porcius Cato is a Roman senator.

During the events of Rome: Season 1 Episode 1 The Stolen Eagle played by Karl Johnson

Porcius Cato, Marcus Tullius Cicero and Scipio are watching the parade of people being thrown items from the wagons full of war spoils. Scipio complains of the sound the common people make when they are excited and Cato warns it will be worse once Caesar returns. During a senate meeting the Curial Magistrate calls on Cato to speak. Cato accuses Caesar of wanting to rule Rome as a tyrant by buying favor from the people and some senators. Cato calls for Caesar to be called back from Gaul immediately so he can face charges including the charge of treason. Pompey Magnus stands up and defends Caesar and refuses to have a vote on Cato's proposal. Cicero stands and tells the crowd both Cato is wrong for bringing a powerful Caesar back to Rome and Pompey is wrong for not seeing the danger of Caesar. Pompey ends the meeting by telling the senate he will not betray his friend. Cato approaches Pompey and asks to speak alone. He tells Pompey if he wants to defeat Caesar it will require the help of the aristocrats, but Pompey refuses to renounce Caesar.

During the events of Rome: Season 1 Episode 2 How Titus Pullo Brought Down the Republic played by Karl Johnson

Mark Antony arrives in Rome to cheers from the people. Pompey and Cato notice the crowds love for Antony and Cato dismisses it as it is from the lower class. At Atia of the Julii's home Pompey Magnus, Cicero and Cato meet with Mark Antony. Mark Antony tells Pompey, Caesar wants to make a compromise. He will return if he is given a province to protect him from prosecution, and the senators reject his offer. Pompey tells the other senators he thinks Caesar is bluffing and he isn't as confident as he seems. At the senate meeting the Curial Magistrate calls on Scipio to speak. Scipio proposes a formal motion that Caesar must return to stand trial or he will be called a public enemy of Rome. A vote is taken and a majority agree to the proposal, before Mark Antony can veto the motion a brawl breaks out ending the meeting. It is agreed that another session will be held and Mark Antony may then veto the proposal. Mark Antony's group are walking towards the Senate when Stilicho sees Titus Pullo and attacks him. Titus kills Stilicho and a fight breaks out. Lucius Vorenus is wounded and Pompey walks into the Senate and tells Cato he got what he wanted and now Caesar will march against Rome.

During the events of Rome: Season 1 Episode 3 An Owl in the Thornbrush played by Karl Johnson

Cato goes to Pompey and asks him if has heard that Caesar has crossed the Rubicon and Pompey recounts a war story which frustrates Cato. A Legionary that escaped the attack by Lucius and Titus reports to Pompey and Cato that Caesar's men are now only 30 miles from Rome. Pompey decides to leave Rome in order to regroup as he realizes he cannot fight Caesar with the troops he currently has. Cato, Marcus Cicero and Scipio argue with Pompey, however he reassures them he knows what he is doing. As the wagon of refugees flee Rome, Cato asks Pompey where Durio is and Pompey reassures him that Durio will meet them shortly and they will have plenty of money to pay and feed the troops.

During the events of Rome: Season 1 Episode 4 Stealing from Saturn played by Karl Johnson

Cato, Scipio and Cicero continue to complain to Pompey about their situation when Quintus Pompey tells Pompey, Durio is dead and a group of Caesar's scouts recovered the gold. The senators think Caesar has the gold, but Pompey knows he does not. Pompey orders Quintus to go to Rome and recover the gold. When Quintus returns with an offer from Caesar for a truce, Scipio and Cicero want to consider the offer, however Cato and Pompey refuse.

During the events of Rome: Season 1 Episode 5 The Ram has Touched the Wall played by Karl Johnson

Cato insults the rest of the Senate for their cowardice and the situation they are all in and along with Pompey, flees to Greece.

During the events of Rome: Season 1 Episode 7 Pharsalus played by Karl Johnson

In Pompey's dinner tent, Cato, Cicero and Scipio discuss how they will reward their supporters with portions of the Roman republic to govern. When Pompey talks of waiting and starving out Caesar's army, Cato and the other senators insist that he attack Caesar. After Pompey's army is defeated at the battle of Pharsalus, Cato and Scipio tell Pompey that they think it better if they part ways and they abandon Pompey.

During the events of Rome: Season 1 Episode 9 Utica played by Karl Johnson

After the defeat of Cato and Scipio's army, they go to the town of Utica. Cato asks Aquinas for his sword in order to cut his bread, and then sneaks away and commits suicide in the restroom.