Cataline+Conspiracy


 * The Catiline Conspiracy**

The event known as the Catiline conspiracy was in fact two distinct conspiracies separated by a period ofseveral years. The notable Senator Cicero enjoyed these periods of shame for his greatest rival, and it was his efforts that may linked Catilina to the first of the two conspiracies. We know that the Cicero placed full blame on his rival during his defense of Publius Sulla a suspect in the first conspiracy. For this defense Cicero received money to purchase a fine home. Many historians have declared Catilina innocent of this crime as he lacked motivation. Additionally, libel was still legal in Rome allowing Cicero to make false claims without retribution. There is no doubt however that Catilina took part in the second conspiracy that bears his name. On the other hand, it could also be possible that what drove Cataline to conspire against Cicero was spite and jealousy after the loss of the election to the position of consul, more than once in a row.

//Early Life, and Military Service of Sergius Cataline// L. Sergius Catiline was born in 108 BC to one of the oldest families of Rome and claimed Sergestus, a close friend and comrade of Aeneas as an ancestor. However by the time of Catiline's birth the family's fortunes had suffered greatly. The decline of his family provided Catiline with a desire to reclaim their ancestral glory. In order to distinguish himself, he entered military service and fought during the Social Wars. During his service Catiline fought beside Cicero who would one day become his greatest adversary. Another comrade from his military service was Pompey the Great, who would go onto earn the title of Magnus along with many decisive victories during his lifetime. Catilina also served under Sulla during his 84-81 BCE civil war. In 67-66 BCE Cataline served as the propaetor governor over Africa before returning to Rome and seeking the position of consul.

//The First Conspiracy// In 64 BCE, the first of the two Catiline Conspiracies took place. The most common motivation given by Catiline's rivals for their action was outrage at being barred from serving as a candidate for Consul. Allegedly, his fellow conspirators Publius Autronius Paetus and Publius Cornelius Sulla who had won the year's Consulships and were prevented from serving with Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso, schemed to slaughter many of the senators and the new consuls on their inauguration day. Then, Publius Autronius Paetus and Publius Cornelius Sulla would name themselves the consuls for 65 BC and appoint Piso to organize the provinces in Spain. Another theory exists as well, however this one implicates Crassus and Caesar to be the brains behind the operation. In this scheme, the goal was not a Consulship, but absolute power as dictator for Crassus and the position of magister equitum for Caesar. This theory posed a threat to the Roman Republic because there could not be a dictator for more then six months (and only in time of crisis).

//The Second Conspiracy// Catiline began to attract powerful figures around him, including the former Consu l Pulius Cornelius. Another leading conspirator, Lucius Cassius Longinus who was praetor in 66 BC with Cicero, joined the conspiracy after he failed to obtain the consulship again in 64 BCE along with Catiline. In addition to his high profile comrades of Catiline also used his promise of debt relief to rally the poor to his cause. Desiring to regain their fortunes, the soldiers of Sulla joined the conspiracy as well. Gaius Manlius, a centurion from Sulla’s old army, was assigned to manage the conspiracy in Etruria where he assembled an army. Exploiting the growing strife in the Italian country side, including a slave revolt,Cataline planned to finalize his scheme. He and his followers decided to commit arson and murder of a large portion of Rome's senators. After these actions took place, they would join up with Manlius’ army. Finally, they would return to Rome and take control of the government. The first Senator on their hit list was none other than Marcus Tullius Cicero.Gaius Cornelius and Lucius Vargunteius were to assassinate Cicero early in the morning of November 7, 63 BC, but Quintus Curius, a senator, who served as one of Cicero's chief informants warned the Senator. The next day Cicero was astonished to find Catiline in attendance at Senate. Cicero promptly denounced his rival, despite Catiline protests. This led to a self imposed exile for Catiline and he fled to Etruria, but even then his plans did not cease. During this time, an envoy from Gaul had come to Rome seeking freedom from their corrupt governor. The conspirators offered to aid them in their struggles, but were promptly betrayed to Cicero. Five of the conspirators were executed immediately, to prevent a rescue by their comrades. The conspiracy in Rome died with them.

//Cataline's Final Battle// The failure of the conspiracy in Rome was a massive blow to Catiline. Upon hearing of the death of Lentulus and the others, many men deserted his army leaving him with some 10,000 men, about two Legions worth. Catiline and the remainder of his dishearten, and ill equipped army marched through Gaul towards Rome, were they came to face three legions under the command of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Celer **. ** So, Catiline chose to engage Antonius Hybrida’s army near Pistoria hoping that Hybrida would lose the battle and dishearten the other Republican armies. Catiline may have still believed that Antonius Hybrida was conspiring with him, which may have been true as Antonius Hybrida claimed to be ill on the day of the battle. Faced with defeat, Catiline threw himself into the heart of the battle and fought valiantly. However loss was inevitable, and his forces were destroyed. A testament to his courage is that when the corpses were counted, all Catiline’s soldiers were found with frontal wounds. In addition Catiline's corpse was found far in the front of his lines.

//Timeline of the Conspiracy//

63 BC October 20th- Cicero receives a letter of warning from the conspirators October 27th- open riots in Faesulae November 1st- failed attempt to take over Praeneste. November 7th- failed attempt to assasinate Cicero November 9th- Cicero publicly accuses Catalina of association with the conspiracies November 15th- conspirators are named enemies of Rome December 3rd- five of the main conspirators are ambushed (Lentulus, Cethegus, Statilius, Gabinius, Caeparius) December 4th- falied attempt to rescue the conspirators December 5th- Lentulus, Cethegus, Statilius, Gabinius and Caeparius are excecuted without a trial December 15th- many soldiers leave Cataline's army

62 BC January- Catilina's army fights and Cataline dies; Cicero resigns from office