The suicide of Cato. Etching by P. Testa, 1648.

Cato is shown lying on his bed, surrounded by his mourning friends, and killing himself by tearing out his own entrails, as described by Plutarch. On the floor is the "little mathematical table that stood by", that fell to the floor and alerted Cato's attendants by its noise. Marcus Porcius Cato (95-46 BC) leader of the Optimates, tried to preserve the Roman Republic against power seekers, in particular Julius Caesar. Cato's sole chance to preserve the republic lay in supporting Pompey, whom he had formerly opposed. After Pompey's defeat, Cato led a small remnant of troops to Africa, where he killed himself after evacuating his adherents by sea