Final answer:
Cato the Elder exemplified traditional Roman virtues such as familial devotion, simplicity, and public morality, which were distinctive for the Roman Republic era and reflected broader Roman societal values of thrift, honesty, bravery, and honor.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cato the Elder was known for embodying traditional Roman virtues such as being a loving father and spouse, qualities that were exceptional for his time as highlighted by Plutarch. He was considered more praiseworthy for being a good husband than a good senator, and thought it was honorable for his wife to breastfeed their child rather than using a wetnurse, ensuring a stronger family bond and more grounded upbringing for his children. Cato also had a reputation for maintaining simplicity and morality in his personal and public life. His distaste for public affection and strict personal ethics, such as only embracing his wife during thunderstorms, were indicative of his adherence to a serious, disciplined, and stoic lifestyle, typical of perceived Roman standards of virtue during the Republic era.
Cato was reflective of broader Roman ideals that esteemed thrift, honesty, bravery, and honor, virtues that would later be echoed by Augustus in trying to maintain the facade of the Republic. These Roman virtues stood in distinction from the perceived Greek characteristics, emphasizing Roman strength and integrity. Stoicism, the philosophical system that aligned with these Roman values, became increasingly influential among the Roman elite, resonating with their ideal of a strong, straightforward, and powerful Roman citizen.