3/10/200927–28. The Catilinarian Conspiracy Cicero’s finest hour revealed the revolutionary forces that seethed beneath the Republic. "Cicero Denouncing Catiline" By Cesare Maccari Sallust’s Catilinarian Conspiracy In 63 B.C., a renegade and desperate patrician senator, Catiline, attempted a coup and social revolution Although noble, his family had lost its fortune and political influence After a fairly successful political career, Catiline, feeling that he still was not gaining enough power, decided to overthrow the government The consul of the year, Cicero (more below), managed to suppress the plot With The Jugurthine War, this monograph was written between 44– 40 B.C. Although The Conspiracy of Catiline was written first, it comes second in chronological order Sallust saw Catiline’s attempt as symptomatic of the corruption of the Roman Late Republic 3/10/2009 27-28. Catilinarian Conspiracy 2 27-28. Catilinarian Conspiracy 1 Tullius Cicero and M.: L.: Governor in Africa (cf.3/10/2009 Sources Cicero’s In Catilinam I–IV A player in the events of 63 B.C. stands for the consulship Plots for an “inside revolution” if elected When Catiline’s plans become known. Catilinarian Conspiracy 3 Chronology Leading up to Sallust’s Monograph 81–78 B. the optimates (also known as the Boni or “good men”) support Cicero. Antonius Hybrida elected consuls for 63 B. Catilinarian Conspiracy 4 27-28. warned of remaining conspirators (to the People) III: Public revelation of the conspiracy at home (to the People) IV: senatorial debate over the fate of the conspirators (before the Senate) Sallust’s “Conspiracy of Catiline” (Bellum Catilinae) Often confused on chronology and details Nevertheless serves as a second point of view to Cicero’s speeches Provides continuous narrative of events Most concerned with moralizing and using Catiline as a type [Plutarch. Sallust himself!) 66 B.C. and beneficiary. 3/10/2009 27-28.C.C. wrote about Catiline in his life of Cicero] 3/10/2009 27-28. Catilinarian Conspiracy 2 . a homo novus. of the Sullan proscriptions (legalized murder when Sulla was dictator) 68 B. forced his hand and his departure (before the Senate) II: explained the situation to the people. as a better alternative to Catiline M.C.: Catiline debarred from running for consul because of charges of extortion arising from his governorship 65 B.: January plot to assassinate consuls fails (“First” Catilinarian Conspiracy) Catiline again unable to stand for consulship because of extortion charges 64 B. a biographer writing in Greek.C. perhaps supported by Crassus.: Catalina praetor Begins to recoup his family’s lost standing 67–66 B.C. Sergius Catilina (Catiline) a vicious supporter. Cicero was the consul who unmasked and helped defeat Catiline’s conspiracy A noted speaker and writer.. Cicero delivered four speeches during the crisis which serve as pieces of primary evidence for the conspiracy I: confronted Catiline.C.: Catiline. political power.C. The Conspiracy of Catiline 1 (Hanford. Catilinarian Conspiracy 6 27-28.C. engendered every kind of evil . Hanford. and virtue began to decline” (Hanford. and Antonius Hybrida elected. 181–82) “As soon as wealth came to be a mark of distinction and an easy way to renown. 191–92) Cicero. . 185–7) Catiline’ B. Later on. became harsh and unendurable. Speech to his followers (on the occasion of his planned “inside revolution if elected. The leisure and riches which are generally regarded as do desirable proved a burden and a curse. 182–83) 3/10/2009 27-28. . Catiline defeated (Hanford. military commands. 184–85) Catiline’s hope for becoming consul in 63 B. 188–90) Curius reveals the plot to Fulvia (Hanford. . 175–183) Preface: Sallustian abstraction again! (cf. a novus homo. Catilinarian Conspiracy 3 . Catilinarian Conspiracy 5 Sallust.C. . . if elected. once so just and admirable.C.) had been frustrated because of extortion charges His plans.” (Hanford. Growing love of money. It was then that fortune turned cruel and confounded all her enterprises . Rome’s rival in her quest for empire. mental ability in the pursuit of fame The pursuit of history: Sallust’s disillusionment again Catiline as a character “He had a powerful intellect and great physical strength. 182) Portrait of Sempronia (Hanford. (Hanford. . and the lust for power which followed it. austere—were models of good morals and traditional values Power and greatness led to a decline in values “When Carthage. Preface to Jugurthine War) Antithesis: physical strength vs. but a vicious a depraved nature . 187–83) When he had earlier been denied an earlier consular run (in 66 B. 177–78) Again the motif of the worthy enemy The Story of Rome’s Decline Early Romans—poor. 192–93) 3/10/2009 27-28.3/10/2009 Sallust. Catiline planned to assassinate the men who were elected consuls for 65 B. had been annihilated [in 146 B.C.]. simple. 184–193) The character of the followers Catiline (Hanford. included a violent program of change (an “inside revolution”) Review of Catiline’s earlier of “first” conspiracy (Hanford.). when the disease had spread like a plague.C Two earlier attempts (66 and 65 B.” (Hanford. every land and sea lay open to her. The Conspiracy of Catiline 2 (Hanford. Rome changed: her government. In Catilinam I Catiline flees Rome to Manlius’ camp. Catilinarian Conspiracy 8 27-28.C. 199) Catiline’s letter to Catulus (Hanford. and occupying strategic points with armed men” (Hanford. Advocated a radical program of debt cancellation (tabulae novae) Defeat turns him to revolutionary October: conspiracy divulged to Cicero through sources 21 October: Cicero announces that Manlius will be in arms against the state in seven days Senate passes the senatus consultum ultimum: the “final decree of the Senate” that the consuls should take whatever action necessary to save the state from harm 27 October: C. he turns to open revolt and war Various ringleaders sent throughout Italy in preparation for conflict one Manlius began to raise an illegal army “Meanwhile at Rome he had several plans on foot simultaneously. Catilinarian Conspiracy 4 . 201) Senate declares Catiline and Manlius public enemies 3/10/2009 27-28. organizing acts of arson. 198) Compare to Cicero.3/10/2009 The Pivotal Year: 63 B. Manlius takes up arms in Etruria 6 November: Meeting at the house of M. they are executed that night January 62 B. previous betrayer of Catiline’s plans through Fulvia. January: Cicero and Antonius take office Late summer Catiline stands again for election as consul for 62 B. Porcius Laeca Curious. 194–202) When Catiline fails (again) in his bid for the consulship. 195) Meeting in the house of M.C. leaves Lentulus and fellow conspirators in Rome to continue plotting (Hanford. The Conspiracy of Catiline 3 (Hanford. Catiline and Manlius defeated and killed 3/10/2009 27-28. which passes the senatus consultum ultimum (equivalent of martial law) Panic in Rome described (Hanford. plotting by stealth against the lives of the consuls. 197) Cicero addresses the Senate and “outs” Catiline (Hanford. Catilinarian Conspiracy 7 Sallust. warned Cicero of a plot to assassinate him Cicero apprises the Senate.C. Porcius Laeca 7 November: Assassination attempt of Cicero thwarted 8 November: Cicero’s In Catilinam I to the Senate Catiline abandons Rome Mid November: word comes that Catiline has arrived in Manlius’ camp 2 December: Messengers of the conspirators still Rome arrested 5 December: Punishment of the Conspirators debated in the Senate. . Sallust sees them as the greatest of the Romans . Sallust portrays Caesar and Cato the Younger as prime movers in the senatorial debate about the Catilinarian conspirators Caesar. . avid for glory Cato: upright. 215–233) Chapter VI: The Debate in the Senate “The consul” (note how often Sallust avoids mentioning Cicero’s name!) calls the Senate into session to discuss the fate of the captured conspirators Although junior magistrates. Chapter VII: Death and Defeat of Catiline Catiline harangues his troops (Hanford. austere. . 203–214) Chapter IV: Party Strife at Rome Rome rules from east to west but is threatened by its own citizens and res novae (revolution) “the city populace were especially eager to fling themselves into revolutionary adventure” (Hanford.” All of Catiline’s men had wounds on the front . compassionate. and his face retained the look of haughty defiance . stoic In a time of moral decline. 3/10/2009 27-28. 221–225) Moves swift. praetor-elect and newly chosen pontifex maximus (Hanford. Catilinarian Conspiracy 10 27-28. capital punishment Sallust’s characterization (Hanford 225–227) Caesar: generous. The Conspiracy of Catiline 6–7 (Hanford. 204) Chapter V: Betrayal of the Conspiracy Allobroges betray the attempt of Lentulus to engage them in rebellion against Rome Cicero’s dilemma (Hanford. Catilinarian Conspiracy 9 Sallust. Catilinarian Conspiracy 5 .3/10/2009 Sallust. He was still breathing. . 216–221) Advocates house arrest for life of conspirators Cato. populist. The Conspiracy of Catiline 4–5 (Hanford. . tribune-designate but also noted for his Stoicism and incorruptibility (Hanford. 210) Public opinion turns 3/10/2009 27-28. 229–231) Catiline found “far from his own men among the dead bodied of his adversaries. 203) adventure” 203) Position of tribune of the plebs exploited by demagogues (Hanford.