The Catilinarian Conspiracy

A Period of Troubles Rome was increasingly a city of division between the rich and poor.99% of the Empires wealth was in the hands of 1% of its population Rome was increasingly a city of division between the rich and poor.99% of the Empires wealth was in the hands of 1% of its population The ambition for control of this wealth was steadily overriding all other political and social concerns. The ambition for control of this wealth was steadily overriding all other political and social concerns. History however only records the victories of the upper class and the rich and powerful. Rarely do we hear about the plight of the poor or those ruined in their attempts to gain wealth and power. History however only records the victories of the upper class and the rich and powerful. Rarely do we hear about the plight of the poor or those ruined in their attempts to gain wealth and power. Catiline was an extremist, but probably symptomatic of the age, in which Romans, because of extreme political competition were forced to try alternate means of acquiring power Catiline was an extremist, but probably symptomatic of the age, in which Romans, because of extreme political competition were forced to try alternate means of acquiring power The Catiline Conspiracy, its discovery and treatment in the Senate, encapsulates all the ills of the republic, and reveals much about the politicians of the day, namely Cicero, Caesar, Crassus and Cato. The Catiline Conspiracy, its discovery and treatment in the Senate, encapsulates all the ills of the republic, and reveals much about the politicians of the day, namely Cicero, Caesar, Crassus and Cato. Sallust, a politician and prominent writer of the time, describes Catiline as” elements of greatness in both mind and body warped by a vicious and depraved nature”. He chose to write on the conspiracy because,” it is especially memorable as being unprecedented in itself and fraught with unprecedented dangers to Rome.” Sallust, a politician and prominent writer of the time, describes Catiline as” elements of greatness in both mind and body warped by a vicious and depraved nature”. He chose to write on the conspiracy because,” it is especially memorable as being unprecedented in itself and fraught with unprecedented dangers to Rome.”

The Story Unfolds Once upon a time, a young Roman loses his way in the deep dark forest of Roman politics………and then…… Once upon a time, a young Roman loses his way in the deep dark forest of Roman politics………and then…… In 64 BC Catiline stood for the Consulship, with supposedly the support of Crassus and Caesar. A reactionary Senate, although wary of novi hommones supported Cicero’s candidacy. In 64 BC Catiline stood for the Consulship, with supposedly the support of Crassus and Caesar. A reactionary Senate, although wary of novi hommones supported Cicero’s candidacy. Cicero, with Optimates support, won the election Cicero, with Optimates support, won the election In 63BC Catiline, again stood for the Consulship, promoting cancellation of all debts to win support from different areas( Remember Caesar has had to borrow money from Crassus to pay his debtors before he could take up his governorship of Spain. This policy would have won votes amongst all classes.) In 63BC Catiline, again stood for the Consulship, promoting cancellation of all debts to win support from different areas( Remember Caesar has had to borrow money from Crassus to pay his debtors before he could take up his governorship of Spain. This policy would have won votes amongst all classes.) Catilines behaviour during the election gave grave cause for concern. He openly paraded around with Sullan veterans, making open threats against Cicero. Cicero tries to have the elections postponed, but to no avail. He therefore walks through the streets of Rome, with bodyguards and wearing armour Catilines behaviour during the election gave grave cause for concern. He openly paraded around with Sullan veterans, making open threats against Cicero. Cicero tries to have the elections postponed, but to no avail. He therefore walks through the streets of Rome, with bodyguards and wearing armour Silanus and Murena were elected to the Consulship and Catiline gathers his forces. Silanus and Murena were elected to the Consulship and Catiline gathers his forces.

Catiline’s support Catiline sent subordinate’s to muster troops from Catiline sent subordinate’s to muster troops from –Etruria –Apulia –Picenum Rome

Man of the Moment And then….. Catiline remains in Rome, presumably to allay suspicion And then….. Catiline remains in Rome, presumably to allay suspicion On the 18 th October, Crassus produces letters,supposedly from one of the conspirators warning him to leave Rome On the 18 th October, Crassus produces letters,supposedly from one of the conspirators warning him to leave Rome On 21 st October the Senate pass Senatus Consultum Ultimum On 21 st October the Senate pass Senatus Consultum Ultimum Since the Senate would not prosecute without absolute proof Cicero offers rewards for information- for slaves and freedmen 100,000 sesterces - for Citizens 200, 000 sesterces. This offer produced no traitors to the cause. Since the Senate would not prosecute without absolute proof Cicero offers rewards for information- for slaves and freedmen 100,000 sesterces - for Citizens 200, 000 sesterces. This offer produced no traitors to the cause.

Cicero saves the day Cicero in his first speech against Catiline claims that at this time he outlined the conspirators plans: Cicero in his first speech against Catiline claims that at this time he outlined the conspirators plans: –This speech was published some years later and may have been embellished. Wither way it is not known how Cicero got this information but he may have had informers in Catiline’s camp. With SCU behind him Cicero acted with all speed With SCU behind him Cicero acted with all speed –Raised troops to secure Rome –Strengthened Praeneste –Sent two consular armies into Apulia. –Two Praetors were entrusted with raising troops to deal with Picenum.

On the 8 th of November the senate convened at the temple of Jupiter at the foot of the Palatine hill. On the 8 th of November the senate convened at the temple of Jupiter at the foot of the Palatine hill. Remarkably Catiline appeared with the rest of the senate although when he sat down those around him moved from their seats to leave him sitting alone. Remarkably Catiline appeared with the rest of the senate although when he sat down those around him moved from their seats to leave him sitting alone. Cicero gave his first speech against Catiline and although Catiline responded he was shouted down by the other senators and had to leave the senate. Cicero gave his first speech against Catiline and although Catiline responded he was shouted down by the other senators and had to leave the senate. –It is at this point that it would seem Catiline had given himself up to revolution proper. Certainly he had made plans but now he went beyond the point of no return.

Interestingly those supporters who laid down their arms were promised an amnesty but once again this opportunity for freedom was rejected by all of Catiline’s supporters. Interestingly those supporters who laid down their arms were promised an amnesty but once again this opportunity for freedom was rejected by all of Catiline’s supporters. Still, however, the senate needed the proof to convict the conspirators who technically hadn’t done anything wrong as of yet. Still, however, the senate needed the proof to convict the conspirators who technically hadn’t done anything wrong as of yet. Then in mid December the evidence finally came in the shape of envoys sent by the Allobroges of Narbonese Gaul. Then in mid December the evidence finally came in the shape of envoys sent by the Allobroges of Narbonese Gaul. Envoys from the Allobroges, who had been enticed to join the conspiracy, revealed the story to their patron in Rome. Cicero arranged that the Gauls would continue their support of the plot in order to gain incriminating evidence Envoys from the Allobroges, who had been enticed to join the conspiracy, revealed the story to their patron in Rome. Cicero arranged that the Gauls would continue their support of the plot in order to gain incriminating evidence This they did and four of the conspiators were arrested and confessed; Lentulus, Cethegus, Statilius and Cassius This they did and four of the conspiators were arrested and confessed; Lentulus, Cethegus, Statilius and Cassius Cicero convenes the Senate and the fate of the conspiators was debated. Cicero convenes the Senate and the fate of the conspiators was debated.

The Debate Cicero Speaks for the death Penalty, Citing CSU Caesar Speaks Against the Death Penalty on Constitutional grounds Cato speaks For the Death penalty

The Aftermath Catiline dies in fighting in northern Italy Catiline dies in fighting in northern Italy Cato speech sways the Senate and the conspirators are executed Cato speech sways the Senate and the conspirators are executed Cicero is hailed as the saviour of Rme Cicero is hailed as the saviour of Rme Caesar is forced to defend himself from accusations ( by Cato ) of complicity. Despite a lack of evidence, the Senate remain suspicious of Caesar. Caesar is forced to defend himself from accusations ( by Cato ) of complicity. Despite a lack of evidence, the Senate remain suspicious of Caesar.

The Significance of the Conspiracy Catiline was yet another example of a Roman ambitious to seek power through unconstitutional means Catiline was yet another example of a Roman ambitious to seek power through unconstitutional means It showed the factional nature of the Senate ie Caesar and Crassus vs Cicero and Cato- Populares vs Optimates It showed the factional nature of the Senate ie Caesar and Crassus vs Cicero and Cato- Populares vs Optimates Aroused the Senates suspicions of Caaser’s motives Aroused the Senates suspicions of Caaser’s motives Revealed Caesar’s powerful rhetorical ability and its affect on a vascillating Senate. Revealed Caesar’s powerful rhetorical ability and its affect on a vascillating Senate. The public outcry over Caesar’s accfused complicity showed the Senate how much mass popularity Caesar had acquired The public outcry over Caesar’s accfused complicity showed the Senate how much mass popularity Caesar had acquired The Senates understanding of the urban discontent is revealed in the subsequent law providing for the distribution of cheap corn, presented in the Asssembly by Cato!!!!!!!!!! The Senates understanding of the urban discontent is revealed in the subsequent law providing for the distribution of cheap corn, presented in the Asssembly by Cato!!!!!!!!!! The Optimates had adopted a Populare policy in order to appease the people. On a more personel level Cato no doubt( galled by his sisters affair with Ceasar) would hope that this policy would undermine Caesar’s popularity with the urban masses. The Optimates had adopted a Populare policy in order to appease the people. On a more personel level Cato no doubt( galled by his sisters affair with Ceasar) would hope that this policy would undermine Caesar’s popularity with the urban masses.