# Cato of Utica — The Divine Comedy character guide

> Cato of Utica in The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Cato

**First appearance:** 0038-canto-i

## Who they are

Guardian of Purgatory's shore, a symbol of moral freedom.

## In the story

### [Canto XIV: The Violent Against God and the Statue of Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-xiv)

Mentioned in a simile comparing the burning sand to the desert Cato once crossed.

### [Canto I: The Shores of Purgatory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-i)

The venerable guardian of Purgatory's shore, who questions the travelers and grants passage after hearing of the Lady from Heaven.

### [Canto II: The Celestial Pilot and Casella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/canto-ii)

Cato, the grave old man, rebukes the spirits for their negligence and urges them to run to the mountain to shed their sloth.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/chapters/endnotes)

Described as the guardian of Purgatory, symbolizing liberty and the four cardinal virtues; his character is defended against critics.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters/cato_of_utica
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_divine_comedy_se/characters