The Daily Stoic

How Cato’s Deadly Rivalry With Caesar Destroyed Rome

Jan 22, 2023

Josiah Osgood, an expert on Roman history and author of "Uncommon Wrath," dives deep into the rivalry between Julius Caesar and Cato the Younger. He explores how their contrasting ideologies mirrored the tumult of the Roman Republic. Osgood highlights their personal motivations, the significant roles of funerals in political legacy, and how Cato’s commitment to traditional values clashed with Caesar's rise. The discussion unveils the deeper themes of power, justice, and revenge during Rome’s chaotic civil wars.

50:43

Episode guests

Josiah Osgood

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Spectacle of Loss: Civil War and Rivalry in Rome

2min

The Political Legacy of Roman Funerals

13min

Cato vs. Caesar: A Study of Rivalry

7min

Cato's Justice and Sulla's Rise: A Historical Examination

3min

Power Struggles in Late Republic Rome

22min

Youth and Ideals in the Turmoil of Roman Politics

3min

Ryan presents the first of four excerpts from Josiah Osgood’s Uncommon Wrath: How Caesar and Cato’s Deadly Rivalry Destroyed the Roman Republic. Here, in chapter one, Josiah sets the stage for Rome’s great collapse by describing the world that Julius Caesar grew up in, how Cato the Younger’s upbringing put him at odds with Caesar, and the explosive events that escalated the tension between them.

You can listen to Ryan’s recent conversation with Josiah here.

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