2.3 The Catilinarian Conspiracy Flashcards
Who showed that one need not be of the optimate elite to achieve the highest office?
Pompey and Crassus
Their example inspired other aspiring politicians.
Which two prominent figures were involved in the political scene alongside Catiline?
Julius Caesar and Cicero
Catiline was aristocratic while Cicero came from outside the establishment.
What crime was Catiline prosecuted for after returning from Africa?
Provincial extortion
He had been a pro-praetorian governor.
What event did Catiline allegedly plot against the consuls elect in 65?
Assassination
He was motivated by his inability to stand for consul due to his court case.
What was Catiline’s plan involving L. Aurelius Cotta and L. Manlius Torquatus?
Murder them on 1 January, their first day in office
He aimed to seize the consulships.
What is the term used by modern historians for the events involving Catiline in 65?
First Catiline Conspiracy
This should not be confused with the Catiline Conspiracy of 63.
What did Cicero do in response to the rumors surrounding Catiline’s actions?
He used them to damage Catiline’s reputation
Initially, Cicero considered defending Catiline.
What was Catiline’s proposal that gained popular support during his consulship bid?
Cancellation of debts
This proposal aimed to attract support from the upper classes and the masses.
What economic issue contributed to the political climate in Italy during the mid-60s?
Credit crisis
This was caused by reluctance to invest in Asia after Mithridates’ uprising.
According to Cicero’s Commentariolum Petitionis, what should be sought in an electoral campaign?
Amicitiae
Alliances with influential individuals for political support.
What was the outcome of Cicero’s speech against the land bill proposed by P. Servilius Rullus?
The bill was not passed
Cicero persuaded the people that it was against their interests.
What role did Caesar play in the trial of C. Rabirius?
Judge
It was a politically motivated show trial related to past events.
What prestigious position did Caesar seek in late 63?
Pontifex Maximus
This position was highly regarded and influential.
What did Catiline allegedly do in response to Cicero’s challenge?
Turn to armed uprising
He began to raise troops and plot violence.
What did Cicero do on 8 November against Catiline?
Delivered the first of four speeches denouncing him
This was part of his campaign to expose Catiline’s conspiracy.
Who did Catiline send to mobilize forces in Etruria?
C. Manlius
Manlius was tasked with raising troops for Catiline’s cause.
What was the nature of the soldiers that supported Catiline’s cause?
Veterans
They were motivated by issues related to debt and loss of status.
What accusation did Cicero make about Catiline’s supporters?
They were the worst members of society
He categorized them into six classes of disdain.
What was Catiline’s justification for his revolutionary actions according to Sallust?
He claimed to support the miseri
His rhetoric emphasized missed opportunities and honor slighted.
What did Catiline complain about in his letter?
- that he had been robbed of his just desserts
- that the selfishness of a few powerful individuals pushed him into taking to the field.
Catiline justified his actions by claiming to support the miseri, but his tone indicated missed opportunities and slighted honor.
What was the outcome of the emergency Senate session regarding the conspirators?
The consul elect D. Iunius Silanus proposed the death penalty, which was initially agreed upon until Caesar argued against it, advocating for a trial instead.
Caesar’s argument changed the opinion of the Senate, leading to a significant debate.
Who delivered a speech that sealed the fate of the conspirators?
M. Porrius Cato delivered a withering speech that sealed the conspirators’ fate.
Cato’s reputation was bolstered by his family name, derived from his famous grandfather, Cato the Censor.
How did Sallust view both Cato and Caesar?
Sallust admired both men, seeing Cato’s uprightness as a model and recognizing Caesar’s merit as significant.
He indicated that both were men of towering merit, despite their diverse characters.
What role did Cicero play in the Senate debate according to his version?
Cicero emphasized his own role while downplaying Cato’s contribution.
Cicero later faced criticism for executing the conspirators without trial.
What was the eventual fate of Catiline?
Catiline died in battle the following year.
His political supporters were inadequate, leading to his downfall.
How can the Catiline Conspiracy be characterized overall?
It could be argued that it was a ‘storm in a tea cup’ due to inadequate political support and ineffective popular backing.
Only veteran forces were effective, despite being outnumbered.
What social issue did Catiline address in his actions?
Catiline addressed the issue of debt, which was a significant burden for many at the time.
His actions highlighted the real social problems facing the populace.
What lesson did the Catiline Conspiracy teach popularis politicians?
They learned that armed insurrection would not succeed and that they needed to subvert the existing system to bring about social change.
The conspiracy illustrated the limitations of revolutionary tactics in achieving political reform.
