Salonianus' father was Marcus Porcius Cato, consul in 195 BC, and censor in 184.
Celebrated for his courage, austerity, and strict moral code, the elder Cato, who already had a grown son by his first wife, Licinia, took a second wife at an advanced age, choosing the daughter of his client and scribe, Salonius.
The younger Cato lived to attain the praetorship, but died during his year of office, leaving two sons, Marcus and Lucius.
Both would pursue public careers, like their father and grandfather, and also like Saloninus and his brother, neither were long-lived.
Famed for his conservative views, austerity, and stubbornness, the younger Cato served as praetor, and became a staunch supporter of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus during the Civil War, choosing to take his own life rather than be captured by Caesar, even though he would almost certainly have been pardoned.