CATILINE PLOTS TO SEIZE POWER

Lucius Sergius Catilina (Catiline)

Born to an ancient patrician family whose wealth and power declined over the centuries

Elected praetor in 68 BC Governor of Africa

Brought to trial for mismanagement and acquitted as a result of his connections with prominent politicians

Ran for consul twice (64 BC, 63 BC) and lost Decided his only hope was to use force

Conspiracy

Catiline Formed a conspiracy to seize control of Rome in 63 BC

Appealed to those who had nothing to lose Those who could no longer advance in politics, poor

people, and Sulla’s former soldiers Catiline planned to raise an army in the

countryside and march on Rome Army would create chaos by starting fires and

murdering political opponents Catiline would seize power

Sent Gaius Manlius, a veteran from Sulla’s army, to raise troops in Etruria while he organized his plans in Rome

Conspiracy (continued)

Rumors came to Rome about Manlius’ activity in late October 63 BC

Cicero lacked legal evidence against Catiline

Informants among the conspirators told Cicero that he was supposed to be killed on November 7th

November 8th: Cicero called a meeting of the Senate at the Temple of Jupiter Stator and placed armed guards around the temple

Catiline’s Flight

Catiline fled from Rome after being denounced by Cicero and joined Manlius’ army

The remaining conspirators continued their efforts in Rome

Conspirators approached a delegation of Allobroges, a Gallic tribe, who were sent to Rome to protest mistreatment by Roman officials Allobroges report contact to Cicero Cicero tells them to obtain written proof from conspirators who wrote letters to the Allobroges 5 leading conspirators executed without trial

Cicero’s colleague Gaius Antonius then marched his army north and killed remainder of troops, including Catiline

Oratory: A Path to Power in Rome

Rhetoric was a requirement for political success in Rome

A Roman youth completed literary and linguistic studies with a grammaticus

He finished his education by studying with a rhetor, an instructor in public speaking

Preparation of a Successful Speech

Gathering of material and its proper arrangement

Selection of appropriate language Memorization Delivery

Speech Structure

Exōrdium: beginning of the speech designed to win the favorable attention of the audience

Body Partītiō: outline Cōnfirmātiō: arguments for the case Refūtātiō: rebuttal (to provide some evidence or

argument that refutes or opposes) of opponent’s case

Perōrātio: conclusion designed to summarize the arguments and appeal (request for support) to the jurors’ emotions

Cicero delivered 4 orations against Catiline