t perfect
Roman.

(3.) _Laelius_. Gaius Laelius, born about 186, was Scipio's most
distinguished officer before Carthage, and his most intimate friend
throughout life. The friendship of the two was one of the most famous in
antiquity, and is celebrated in the _Laelius_. Laelius was an able speaker,
writer and soldier, and devoted to Greek learning, particularly to the
Stoic philosophy. He is with Cicero the type of a man of culture.[55] He,
too, is one of the interlocutors in the _De Re Publica_.

(ii.) SUBJECT-MATTER.

1. _General View_.

The Cato Maior falls naturally into three parts:--

Preliminary, dedication to Atticus, Sec.Sec. 1-3;
Introductory Conversation, 4-9;
Cato's Defence of Old Age, 10-85.

After Sec. 9 Cato continues to express his views on old age without
interruption to the end, and the dialogue thus becomes really a monologue.

2. _Analysis._

PRELIMINARY 1-3.

Cicero, addressing Atticus, states his purpose in writing the book and the
effect of the work on himself (1, 2), the reasons for putting the
sentiments on old age into the mouth of Cato, and the circumstances of the
supposed conversation (3).

INTRODUCTORY CONVERSATION 4-9.

Scipio declares his admiration of Cato's vigorous and happy old age. Cato
replies that the secret lies in following the guidance of Nature (4, 5).
Laelius then asks Cato to point out the road to such an old age as his own
(6). This the old man promises to do, but first remarks that the faults
charged against old age are generally due to defects of character (7).
Laelius suggests that prosperity makes Cato's declining years pleasant.
Cato admits that there may be some truth in this, but maintains that right
character alone can make old age tolerable (8, 9).

CATO'S DEFENCE OF OLD AGE 10-85.

A. Introductory argument from fact. Account of celebrated old men whose
lives till death were useful and happy 10-14

(a). Fabius Maximus 10-12
(b). Plato; (c). Isocrates; (d). Gorgias 13
(e). Ennius 14

B. Refutation of charges made against old age 15-85

_Statement of the four charges commonly made against old age_: it withdraws
men from active life, it weakens the physical powers, it takes away
capacity for enjoyment, and it involves the anticipation of death 15

A. Refutation of the first charge, that old age withdraws from active life.

(a).