Sqr Vs Pompey Analysis

During the middle of the first century BCE, two main visions for Rome were in debate: Cato’s dream of SPQR and arete, and Pompey’s empire of power and control. Of the two, Cato’s vision was far better than that of Pompey’s due largely to the fact that a state's rules and governing system should be based almost solely on its virtues, which in Rome’s case was SPQR. Cato “...was the model of the just man, even of manhood itself.” Writes Lucy Hughes-Hallett. Not only did Cato strongly support SPQR, but lived a devoted his entire life to SPQR and Rome. However; Pompey, unlike Cato, greedly ruled for power. Pompey is said to of brought power to Rome, but not happiness, arete, and freedom, rather the opposite, the latter should be valued far more
as it is more important than anything power can bring. Pompey may of been stated as a beloved ruler by various historians, however, one must consider that the writers may of been easily bribed or threatened. Also, the majority Pompey’s opposers and Cato followers were most likely erasured and killed. Overall, Cato’s vision of a SPQR devoted world is a better ideal vision than Pompey’s greed-empire based upon money and power.