Cato Minor in Classical Tradition and Early Christian literature
Cato of Utica is one of «Antiquity holy men». His life and death demonstrate the way how to protect your ideals and readiness to die for them. Cicero and even Caesar spoke about Cato with respect. Valerius Maximus wrote about his heroism. The poems by Vergil, Horace, Lucan show the popularity of this politician. Later early Christian authors Tertullian, Lactantius, Jerome and Augustine of Hippo also paid attention to Cato person. The aim of the report is to analyze these remarks not only in content of antique tradition but also in connection to new Christian teaching of «true» martyrdom and its relation to suicide. We think that Cato could be the key person for Western Christianity adherents considering their interest in Stoicism philosophy as well as his death which may assign him to Christ martyrs. On the other hand Eastern writers ignore Cato person. It’s necessary to mention that telling Cato name in writings could make problems for Christians due to his politics point of view. And some authors disputed Cato decision for suicide instead of accept God’s will. To summarize polemics about this person help us to understand process of describing traditional Roman virtues by Christian writers and use Cato name for internal Christianity debates.