Cato the Elder, also known as Marcus Porcius Cato, was a Roman statesman and military leader born in 234 BCE. He is best known for his conservative values and his efforts to preserve traditional Roman culture. Cato served as a senator and was a prominent figure during the late Republic, advocating for the importance of agriculture and the virtues of the Roman way of life. Cato is also famous for his writings, particularly his work titled De Agri Cultura, which is one of the earliest known agricultural texts. He was a staunch opponent of Hellenization, believing that Greek influence was corrupting Roman morals. His famous phrase, "Carthago delenda est" ("Carthage must be destroyed"), reflects his strong stance against Carthage during the Punic Wars.