Cato the Elder books in order
Roman politician, soldier and writer
- Lived
- 233 BC–148 BC
- Country
- Ancient Rome
- Books
- 1
- Also writes as
- Censorius
Cato the Elder published 1 novella, beginning with De Agri Cultura (160 BC).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Cato the Elder
Start here
De Agri Cultura
Cato the Elder's most-read book.
Novellas in order
De Agri Cultura (160 BC)
Free to read
All free classics
About Cato the Elder
Marcus Porcius Cato, also known as Cato the Censor, the Elder and the Wise, was a Roman soldier, senator, and historian known for his conservatism and opposition to Hellenization. He was the first to write history in Latin with his Origines, a now fragmentary work on the history of Rome. His work De agri cultura, a treatise on agriculture, rituals, and recipes, is the oldest extant prose written in the Latin language. Cato's epithet "Elder" distinguishes him from his great-grandson Cato the Younger.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Cato the Elder FAQ
- How many books has Cato the Elder written?
- Cato the Elder published 1 novella that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Cato the Elder's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with De Agri Cultura.
- What is Cato the Elder's last book?
- De Agri Cultura (160 BC).
- What is Cato the Elder's most famous book?
- De Agri Cultura (160 BC) is Cato the Elder's most widely read book.
- Does Cato the Elder write under a pen name?
- Yes: Cato the Elder has also published as Censorius.
- Can I read Cato the Elder's books for free?
- Yes. 1 book by Cato the Elder is in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.