BY JAMES BALDWIN
Delenda est Carthago
Famous Stories Retold: Story 26 of 30
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Cato the Elder’s Phrase: The phrase "Delenda est Carthago" ("Carthage must be destroyed") was famously repeated by Cato the Elder, a Roman statesman, in every speech, emphasizing his belief that Carthage remained a threat to Rome.
Roman Dominance: The destruction of Carthage marked the end of the Punic Wars and solidified Rome's dominance over the western Mediterranean.
A good book we like, we explorers. That is our best amusement, and our best time killer
- Roald Amundsen, Explorer
Cato's Cry: The Call to Destroy Carthage
Immerse yourself in a riveting tale of ancient political maneuvering and military strategy, as we explore the echoing cry that resonated through the Roman Empire: "Delenda est Carthago!" The battle cry that rang through the streets of Rome, instigating a sense of urgency and fear among its citizens. This was not merely a declaration of war, but a call to preserve Rome's very existence, uttered by none other than Cato the Censor. As we traverse through this historical tale, you'll discover the significance of this phrase, along with the profound impact it had on the fate of two of the ancient world's greatest cities.
The Origin of "Delenda est Carthago!"
"Delenda est Carthago!"—Carthage must be destroyed! This was the rallying cry that rang out in the streets of Rome, uttered by none other than Cato the Censor, one of Rome's most respected statesmen. This phrase was not simply a statement, but a philosophy and a prophecy that Cato carried with him in his heart and preached to his fellow Romans. His conviction rested on the belief that the survival of Rome and Carthage, two powerful cities, was mutually exclusive under the same sun. The idea was not born out of malice, but out of a profound concern for the safety and future of Rome.
Cato's Early Life and Involvement in the Wars
Cato's experience as a soldier in the Punic Wars, when he was but a young man of eighteen, shaped much of his later life and beliefs. These wars, fought ruthlessly between Rome and Carthage, were a testament to the escalating tensions and the threat that Carthage posed to Rome. Cato's involvement in these wars not only hardened him but gave him a deep understanding of the enemy's capabilities. The wars were not merely historical events for him, but personal experiences that deeply ingrained in his heart the need to safeguard Rome at all costs.
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Cato's Astonishment at Carthage's Wealth and Power
Cato's first visit to Carthage as an ambassador left him in awe and fear of the city's wealth and power. The bustling harbor, filled with ships from all corners of the world, the overflowing merchandise in the shops, the magnificent public buildings, and the formidable city walls – all surpassed what Rome could boast of. This encounter with Carthage's grandeur and might caused a seismic shift in his perception. He realized that if Rome were to secure its future, it had to neutralize this potential threat. Hence was born his relentless campaign: "Delenda est Carthago!"
Cato's Influence and Public Life in Rome
Cato's influence in Rome was profound and far-reaching. As a Roman censor, he wielded considerable power, overseeing the city's morals and trying to uphold the old Roman values of simplicity and strength. His disdain for luxury and indulgence was well known, and he did not hesitate to voice his concerns.
Whenever he noticed young men, dressed in the latest fashions and idling their time away, his anger would flare up. He reproached them for their recklessness, punctuating his admonitions with his stubborn cry, "Delenda est Carthago!". Even high-ranking Roman officials were not spared from his sharp tongue. Cato scoffed at their lavish lifestyles and grand residences, uttering the same ominous warning.
Cato's Simple Life on the Sabine Farm
Returning to his farm on the Sabine, Cato lived a life of simplicity and toil. He was a man of the soil, and he found great satisfaction in the rhythm of farming life. He would discard his toga for the humble garb of a farmer, a wide-brimmed hat to shield him from the sun and a sheepskin cloak to protect him from the wind.
Cato took a hands-on approach to farming. He plowed the fields, sowed the seeds, and helped with the harvest. He fed his livestock and tended to his vineyard and olive grove. His discourses with his country neighbors revolved around farming, with discussions of wheat harvests and wine-making techniques, always ending with his signature phrase, "Delenda est Carthago!"
Cato's Last Days and Final Farewell
Cato's final days were filled with the same determination and fervor that had characterized his life. His hatred for Carthage never waned, and he used every opportunity to share his sentiments with his fellow Romans. Whether his speech was about politics, religion, or farming, he always managed to incorporate his warning about the threat posed by Carthage.
When old age finally caught up with him, Cato did not go gentle into that good night. His last words echoed the sentiments he had held steadfastly throughout his life. As he lay on his simple cot, ready to leave this world, his parting message was the same cry that had resonated through the halls of power and the fields of his farm, "Delenda est Carthago!".
Conclusion
The unwavering chant "Delenda est Carthago!" reverberated through the streets of Rome, galvanized not merely by fear, but by a compelling need to safeguard Rome's sovereignty. Cato's relentless insistence served as the clarion call that eventually led to the ruin of Carthage, securing Rome's supremacy. His life, oscillating between the power corridors of Rome and the simplicity of his Sabine farm, embodied the Roman spirit of resilience and austerity. Even in his twilight years, his cry for Carthage's destruction never waned, ultimately shaping the course of ancient history.
"Delenda est Carthago!"
A noble old Roman, eighty-four years of age, had just finished a stirring speech in the Forum, or great market place of Rome, and these were his closing words: "Delenda est Carthago!" (Carthage must be destroyed!)
His words were repeated by his hearers; they were carried into the street; they were discussed by excited men in every part of the city.
"Who says that Carthage must be destroyed?" asked one citizen of another.
"Cato the Censor says so," was the answer. "He says that two such cities as Rome and Carthage cannot long exist under the same sun. One must soon submit to the other. If Rome does not destroy Carthage, then Carthage will destroy Rome."
"Then every Roman must join with Cato and cry, 'Delenda est Carthago!' "
Cato was dreadfully in earnest about the matter. Rome had already had two long wars with the great city on the other side of the Mediterranean. Cato, when a young man of eighteen, had served as a soldier in one of these wars. In his old age, when the cities were at peace, he had been sent as an ambassador to Carthage. He was astonished at what he saw there. He had supposed that Rome was the richest and most powerful city in the world; but now he feared that he was mistaken.
He saw the harbor of Carthage swarming with ships from all parts of the world; the wharfs were piled with the wealth of many countries; the shops were filled with rich and rare merchandise; the market place was thronged with buyers and sellers; the beauty of the public buildings and the strength of the city walls surpassed anything of which Rome could boast; the wealth and power of Carthage were too great to be estimated.
And so when stern old Cato returned home he felt that there was but one way to save Rome. He must arouse his countrymen to a sense of their danger. Carthage must be destroyed.
When he had finished his speech in the Forum, he wrapped his toga about him and went down into the street. Every one who saw him knew by the broad purple border on his white homespun toga that he was one of Rome's great men—that he had held some of the highest offices in the gift of the city. A narrower border denoted a citizen of less renown; no border at all signified that its wearer had not yet been honored with an office. But in those days to be a Roman even of the humblest rank was better than to be a king.
In the street Cato met many of his friends; and no matter on what subject they might talk, his last words when parting with them were, "Delenda est Carthago!"
He had been a Roman censor, and for a time had been the most powerful man in Rome. He had had the oversight of the morals of the city, and had tried hard to preserve the simple, sturdy habits of his forefathers. There was nothing that he hated more than luxury and self-indulgence; and now when he saw young men dressed in fashionable style idling in the streets, his anger was hot against? them. "Delenda est Carthago!" he cried, while reproving them for their folly. And when he saw officers of the state living in fine houses and enjoying their wealth, he sneered at them in contempt and cried out, "Delenda est Carthago!"
He did not stay long in the city, but hastened to return to his farm on the Sabine, where he had lived all his life except when in the service of Rome. And his first greeting to his family was, "Delenda est Carthago!"
Had you seen him on his farm you would not have thought of him as the greatest of Romans. Having laid aside his toga, he appeared dressed in the rude fashion of a hard-working farmer. With a broad-brimmed hat on his head and a sheepskin cloak thrown over his shoulders, he walked out to see his cattle and crops, to gather grapes in his vineyard, and to pick olives from his olive trees. He met with his country neighbors and talked about the prospects of the wheat harvests and the best methods of making wine; but he always closed his discourses by crying, "Delenda est Carthago!"
His manner of life on the farm was very simple. Everything was just as it had been in the days of his father and of his grandfather. Cato was a hard worker to the end of his life. He plowed his fields, he sowed his grain, he helped the reapers, he gathered his hay, he fed his flocks and herds. "To do these necessary things," said he, "is to be a Roman of the old-fashioned sort."
His wife and daughters were Romans of the old-fashioned sort, too. They had the care of the home; they ground the barley and made the bread for the household; they attended to the milk and pressed the cheeses; they bottled the wine from the home grapes; they spun and wove the clothing for the family. Life on the Sabine farm was a continuous round of hard work and pleasant duties; and the coarse fare and simple diet gave to all the household good health and long and happy lives.
The great Roman's last days would have been spent peacefully enough if it had not been for the bitter hatred which he bore toward Carthage. Whenever he went down to Rome, it was to stir up among his fellow-citizens the same feelings which he himself had. Whenever he made a public address, whether it was upon politics or religion or farming, he did not fail to add a word about Carthage. And when, at length, worn out by old age, he lay down for the last time upon his hard, humble cot, his farewell message was, "Delenda est Carthago!"
