House Cato

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House of Cato Country: Rome Family Motto: For Rome, by Rome.

Origins

The Cato Family has existed for generations as Patricians, and hold themselves in a high regard. Previous Catos have already etched their name into the very brick from which Rome is built on- but their reputation is one of what “has been,” rather than what currently is. Gallius Cato, current family head, isn’t held in the highest of regards by his peers- and Gallius knows it. Every single day Gallius wakes up determined to bring honor and reverence back to the Cato family name- doing so by any means necessary.

Notable Figures

First Generation

• Gallius Cato - Head of House Cato and The Consul rome in 97 BC, he inherited the title of the head in his youth. He served Rome till his last breath in the way he believed was best even if it caused him his and his kin’s life. He played a huge role in The Optimates against the Roman Republic due to his belief that Rome was becoming a monarchy.

• Titus Cato - Younger brother of Gallius Cato, Senate of Rome in 97 and 98 BC eventually becoming Consul of Rome to solidify the republic after death of previous consols. He played a big role against Optimates Rebellion led by his Brother Gallius, supporting the Populist mindset and equality till the end.

Second Generation

• Paullus Cato - Gallius's Oldest son and Legate of Legion I, he was always devoted to the republic and his household. Pallius was to be the next head of the family. He followed his father's footsteps in the The Optimates, fighting till his last breath.

• Viviana Cato - Gallius's only daughter and older twin sister of Nicus, only lady of the House Cato. Viviana was the sole member of her family who didn't pick up a sword and join legions, she worked as the assistant of the governor of Treasury, Jestius Cento.

• Nicus Cato - The Youngest and only Cato alive, Nicus was a legionnaire in Legion V, he followed the republic with his whole heart and spent his time working, during the fall of the republic he went missing, some believe his older sister Viviana sent him away before her death.

House Culture

General Information

• Traditions: The Catos were deeply traditional and old fashioned, they followed the teachings of their ancestors as well as were led by Gallius Cato to be what they are today, a respectable and influential Patrician Family. Every family member had to pick a method of serving the family and Roman Republic in their own way, just like how Gallius and Titus were consuls and senates, Paulluus and Nicus were legate and legionnaires and Viviana was secretary at treasury.

• Family: Gallius made sure all his children understood that family comes first and it's not just blood related, it was Rome, the republic is their family. They grew up believing they were indebted for everything they have to the republic and Gallius as he raised them alone, they owed everything to him.

• Appearance: Cato family had a striking appearance that made them stand apart from everyone else, dirty blonde/brownish hair, Hazel eyes along with pale neutral tone skin was the norm for generations. Gallius, Titus and Paullus fit that description to the dot, though of course some children took after their mothers which weakens their direct connection to Catos like the twins Viviana and Nicus, who took after their mother and had platinum blonde hair since birth with reddish black eyes and cold pale skin.

History

Pre-FoTR

The Cato family is one that comes from a military background, with previous Catos having been commanders during campaigns all over the Mediterranean. Their continued successes in battle brought them to initial relevance, where their successes continued despite the raise in expectations and attention. Gallius’ father, Cassius, was the first of the revered Cato line to have not commanded in battle, and instead essentially coasted off of their name relevance to live a life of luxury and comfort. Because of this, there’s a certain level of doubt in the direction of the family- and the census on Gallius is that he’s “simply following in his father’s footsteps-” no matter how much he tries to shake that perception. In an attempt to rebuild their reputation, the family since Cassius’ passing has re-taken the reigns in positions of military leadership, rebuilding their influence in that sector. The family’s strengths are in their connections within the military, and how they can move that power around- and have great confidence in their strategic abilities in how they’d do so. Perhaps out of embarrassment in his last years as to what he had done with a family so revered, Cassius had ensured that Gallius had had proper training in military leadership and strategy- before ultimately drinking himself to death.

Their legacy lives on through the Republic, and maintaining the status quo within Rome is deeply important to them. Because of this, they are undeniably pro republic, and perhaps out of a fear of what could be, believe that Plebeians shouldn’t be permitted to impact the Republic at all. The mechanisms of the Republic are exclusively for the Patricians, the elite- and everyone else simply gets to live there. To be clear though, their interests in the Republic aren’t out of respect for the Republic itself, but because the Republic upholds the status quo that the Cato family benefits from. If for some reason, God forbid, there is no longer a Cato family- or their future is destroyed- then all of the sudden, the status quo would no longer matter.

During-FoTR

The Ballad of The Catos : https://x.com/Gallaxee_/status/2052105723857744046