Cataline Conspiracy Booklet

Question 1

Sallust 10-13, how should Rome be categorised?

Answer 1

Become corrupt - lust for money and power evident
Sulla had influenced the roman people negatively, inspiring them act on greed and impulse. People just taking
Poverty was a dis grade

Question 2

Sallust 14-15, list evils committed by Cataline (5)

Answer 2

• had gangs of criminals be his bodyguards
• sought young people to corrupt as they’re impressionable
• bought their loyalty, dogs, horses, mistresses etc
• sexual relations with maiden of noble birth and priestess of Vesta
• murdered his step son to marry a woman who was afraid of him.

Question 3

Sallust 16- Catalines motive for attack in the state

Answer 3

Was a golden opportunity. He was in enormous debt and wanted a greater position of power. Sullas veterans were thirsty for something on,y bloodshed could quench. Senate clueless. No army in Rome, Pompey in Spain

Question 4

Sallust 18_-19, why did piso get involved in the first plot and what happened to him

Answer 4

Young noble who was poor and reckless and goaded by Cataline and Auronius. Decided they should seize the fascist, give Piso an army to occupy in Rome.
Eventually was killed in Spain because Pompey ordered them to.

Question 5

Sallust 20- what do we learn about Cataline motive following the failure of the first plot

Answer 5

Believed they were saving the republic and they need to be liberated
Senates ran by tyrants
Thy watch everyone bathe in their riches while they struggle to eat and have a home.

Question 6

Sallust 21 - how does Cataline attempt persuade more people to join his cause? (5)

Answer 6

• Promises cancellation of debts, proscriptions of the rich, offices, priesthood and all else that the victors of war can achieve.
• Commented on how Piso got Spain like he promised (despite his untimely death), and how his close friend Gaius Antonious who was a consul candidate supported them
• praised all of his followers by name
• reminded them of their poverty /ambition
• reminded them of sullas victories

Question 7

According to Mary Bead, “Saullst used the figure of Cataline as an emblem of the wider failings of first-centenary BCE ROME.”

Answer 7

He discusses how greed has overtaken the hearts of noble men, deceit and destruction everywhere. Living under an oppressive state. Cataline conveyed his belief perfectly so he uses it to spearhead his description of Rome’s descent into evil.

Question 8

How did Rome’s economic situation contribute to the growing tension in the city itself?

Answer 8

Because money became a problem for all people, rich and poor, debt collectors began calling in their debts. Debts can’t be just cancelled because collectors would be out of pocket. Therefore Catalines plan to cancel debts was opposed by the equestrians and optimates. Tension rising between the 2 political groups and between debt collectors and money lenders.

Question 9

How and why does Cicero attempt to persuade the Roman people to vote down the land bill.

Answer 9

• Reminds everyone how popular and widely loved he is hence his consulship.
• Law courts are disorganised, tyranny, Rome is a place of anxiety.
• Says it’s not practical, treasury would have to be drained which would cripple Rome.
• The act is being presented as ‘for the people’ but it would destroy them bc of how bad economy would go.
• Undeserving ppl will get land.

Question 10

Why would populares be pushing for the land reform bill?

Answer 10

They’re for the people, LRA would close the cap between rich and poor. Land for farming and houses is necessary bc of economic crisis in Rome.

Question 11

What was Ceaser able to do as Pontifex Maximus?

Answer 11

• regulating public morality, Rome’s watchdog
• could give out fines
• ## speak about legislation in front of senate for the college of pontiffs. Ceaser represented them at senate for religious laws.

Question 12

How did Ceaser win office of Pontifex Maximus?

Answer 12

• Put himself forward as a rival candidate against Catalus
• Refused bribe from Catalus
• Turned to the people for votes (populares)

Question 13

Why was Cataline rejected as consul again in 62BCE.

Answer 13

• Cicero provoked a response from the people by wearing body armour in the senate
• The people trust Cicero, we know this bc of rejection of the land bill
• Sullas veterans who are making their way into Rome

Question 14

What are the six groups that Cicero has supporting Cataline?

Answer 14

• Rich men who are in debt and refuse to sell property.
• Normal people in debt
• Men who want power
• Sullas veterans
• Natural born criminals
• Catalines friends

Question 15

What technique does Cicero use to disparage and discourage their revolution?

Answer 15

By explaining how the things they want are unattainable

Question 16

What was the motivation of the veterans according to Manlius? (Sallust extract)

Answer 16

Freedoms. They have been unable to protect themselves, driven out of their country bc of the violence of the money lenders, can’t be protected by laws, been stripped of their possessions. Can never be free.

Question 17

What was the motivation of the veterans according to Manlius?

AO3

Answer 17

Sallust version of manliest shows more knowledge about the economy and his ideology than Ciceros version of Manlius. This is because Sallust was a tribune of the plebs so he is more inclined to understand.

Question 18

For what reasons does Sallust suggest made people support Cataline?

Answer 18

Suggest that the people suffering from poverty had nothing to lose. Men who had lost their possessions, men who recalled Sullas victory and benefitted from it / parents did, men who were beggars.

Question 19

What were the LONG TERM effects of Catalines conspiracy according to Sallust

Answer 19

Those in power didn’t fear being removed so they were ruthless. Tribunes power restored by Pompey and Crassus.
Once Pompey had been dispatched, power of the commons were lessened but individual power increased. The magistrates, provinces and everything else was secured.