Editing Cato the Elder (section)

====Doubtful visit to Athens====
During the campaign in Greece under Glabrio, Plutarch's account (albeit rejected by historian Wilhelm Drumann) suggests that before the Battle of Thermopylae, Cato was chosen to prevent [[Corinth]], [[Patrae]], and [[Aegium]] from siding with Antiochus. During this period, Cato visited [[Athens]] where, in trying to prevent the Athenians from listening to the propositions of the Seleucid king, Cato addressed them in a [[Latin]] speech, which required an interpreter to be understood by the audience.<ref>Valerius Maximus, ii, 2. § 2.</ref>

Whether this was out of necessity or merely a choice by Cato remains unclear, since the assertion that he might very well have already known Greek at the time can be made from anecdotal evidence. For example, Plutarch said that while at [[Taranto|Tarentum]] in his youth he had developed a close friendship with Nearchus, who was himself a Greek [[philosopher]]. Similarly, [[Aurelius Victor]] stated he had received instruction in Greek from Ennius while praetor in Sardinia. Nevertheless, because his speech was an affair of state, it is probable that he complied with the Roman norms of the day in using the Latin language while practicing diplomacy, which was considered as a mark of Roman [[Dignitas (Roman concept)|dignity]].<ref>Valerius Maximus, ii, 2. § 2.</ref>