Cicero's consulship Flashcards
Cicero was proud of his consulship beacause
“I am the first “new man” made consul for a very long time”
Cicero swears to support the people
“to be on the side of the people- both during my year in office and in the rest of my life”
The populares
passed laws in the popular assemblies rather than use the senate
often used as a short cut
The optimates
Believed only the senate’s interests should be taken seriously
often narrow minded (didn’t support Pompey’s command)
regarded Cicero as “safe”
What did Cicero turn up in for his election
a breast plate visible beneath his toga and accompanied with a guard
why did Cicero have suspicions about Catiline
there had been talk of revolution and Catiline’s name had been linked with this
Catiline’s plan
to stay in Rome, could be the central organiser while avoiding suspicion
Manlius was amassing forces outside of Rome
Cicero’s first speech to the senate about Catiline
and effect
produced details about Manlius’s likely actions, the senate passed the Consultum Ultimum
Defenses inside and outside of the city were manned
Why Cicero could not simply arrest Catiline
did not have enough proof
Catiline’s first move
to have Cicero killed, Curius informed Cicero
Lentulus would b in charge of operations in Rome while Catiline joined his army
Cicero’s second speech to the senate
First Catilinarian speech
met in the temple of Jupiter (easier to guard)
Catiline took his seat
still did not have enough evidence
even the SCU did not give him enough power to have him arrested and executed
After first Catilinarian speech
Catiline joined Manlius and his forces
was outlawed by the senate
attack on Lentulus
Lentulus was praetor
evidence was brought against him
forced to resign his office and kept under house arrest
Two options against the conspirators
a) Julius Caesar proposed imprisonment
b) Cicero wanted the death-penalty
Cicero’s speech for the death penalty to ensure safety
“gentlemen of the senate, for your own safety and that of the roman people [+list of important things government, freedom, protection of Italy and Republic.”
