CATILINE PLOTS TO SEIZE POWER Lucius Sergius Catilina

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 7 th November 8 th: 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 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