“Praecepta ad filium” (i.e. “Maxims addressed to his son”) is a work that is traditionally attributed to the famous Roman politician, military man and writer, Cato the Elder (234-149 BCE), and which is considered the first Roman encyclopedia. “Maxims addressed to his son,” as the name suggests, was addressed to Cato’s son.
Although it has not survived in its entirety to our times, fragments of it and echoes of its thoughts have survived in other ancient texts. Cato the Elder, also known as the Censor, was one of the most important defenders of the traditional values of Republican Rome, which was reflected in his political stance as well as in his writings.
“Praecepta ad filium” is a type of manual that was intended to help a young Roman become a responsible, virtuous and civically engaged person. The advice contained therein revolves around values such as diligence, discipline, loyalty to the homeland and family, and respect for tradition. Cato, himself an example of a strict Roman statesman, passed on his life experiences to his son in the form of maxims and practical instructions.
Cato the Elder had strong beliefs in the value of work and saving. Surviving fragments of the “Praecepta ad filium” suggest that Cato taught his son to avoid luxuries and excessive spending, believing that excessive wealth led to moral decay. The work emphasizes a practical approach to life, in which work is a fundamental virtue and managing property requires responsibility and prudence. Cato did not believe in wealth as an end in itself but as a tool for a stable, decent life.
He was also a defender of traditional Roman virtues such as courage on the battlefield and respect for the law. Cato, himself a veteran of many wars, believed that a man should be ready to defend Rome at any time. In “Praecepta ad filium”, the father gives his son not only teachings about running a household but also moral and political principles, including obligations towards the state and the role of a citizen.
“Praecepta ad filium” reflected the strict character of Cato the Elder himself, who was often associated with conservatism and moralizing. Considered a model of virtue, Cato fought against all manifestations of moral corruption in public and private life. His writings, including the Praecepta, were intended to instil in younger generations strong moral principles that would protect Rome from the decline that, according to Cato, was caused by the excessive influence of foreign cultures and modern ideas.
Although this work has not been fully preserved, its idea – the transmission of life knowledge from father to son – survived in Roman literature and culture. Cato the Elder remains a symbol of strict but principled wisdom, and his teachings continue to exemplify ancient Roman moral values.
