Second Catilinarian Conspiracy
The Second Catilinarian Conspiracy began during a period of Civil Unrest in Rome, when the elections for the next Consuls were to begin. Catiline again stood up for election as Consul, with Cicero and Antonius Hybrida as his opposition, however he lost quite considerably to Cicero, who was elected due to his orational denunciation, as supported, by H.H Schullard, an emeritus professor of ancient history who stated that,“In a speech to the senate… Cicero denounced his vitals and hinted that there were secret powers behind Catiline. Thus Cicero, the novus homo, secured the consulship for 63… Catiline was defeated.” (Schullard, 1988)
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After his loss, Catiline welcomed more men into his conspiracy, with ideas flourishing and a plan to overthrow the government - the first step would be to murder of Cicero. These actions toward his murder are shown by roman historian and politician during Cicero’s rule claims that, “Caius Cornelius, a Roman knight… and Lucius Vargunetius, a senator, in company with him, agreed to go with an armed force… to the house of Cicero, under pretense of paying their respects to him, and to kill him unawares and unprepared for defines in his own residence.” (Sallust, cited in Bradley 1990) This view is supported by H.H Schullard; “Cicero, who was warned, escaped assassination and summoned the Senate, where he deliver his First Catilinarian Oration, denouncing him… That night Catiline hurried off to join Manlius and before long the senate declared both these leaders and their men public enemies.” (Schullard, 1988).
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Cicero denounced Catiline in the senate the day after the attempted murder with this denunciation causing Catiline to flee from the city, however the conspiracy had yet to come to an end. Catiline’s loyal men in Rome continued to plan a massacre and burning of the city. When the senate found out about Catiline’s attempts to raise an army, it was clear action needed to be taken.
Discussions began among the senate and people to what the best actions would be in protecting the republic, and a conclusion was reached - the senates consultum ultimatum needed to be placed into effect. This is shown in The Conspiracy of Catiline by Sallust, a Roman historian and politician during the time who articulates that, “… he could no longer secure the city against treachery by his private efforts… [he] laid the matter, which was already a subject of discussion among the people before the senate. The senate, accordingly as is usual in any perilous emergency decreed that the Consuls should make it their care that the commonwealth should receive no injury.” (Sallust, cited in Halsall, 1998). This was corroborated by Philip Matyszak, a British author in historical works relating to ancient Rome, who agrees that, “… the senate had passed the senates consultum ultimatum, the famous ‘last decree’ which ordered the consul to ‘see to it that the Republic came to no harm’.” (Matyszak, 2003).
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The five main conspirators were caught in a cunning move by Cicero, who collected letters with their signatures of involvement, the five main conspirators were caught, and without a trial were executed by order of Cicero.
Sources
Bradley, P., 1990. Ancient Rome Using Evidence. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Halsall, P., 1998. Cicero: Selected Letters. [Online] Available at: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/cicero-letters.asp [Accessed 12 May 2014].
Matyszak, P., 2003. Chronicle of the Roman Republic. London: Thames & Hudson.
Schullard, H., 1988. From the Gracchi to Nero. 5th ed. London: Routledge.
Zey, D. J., 1997. Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy. New York: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishing.
Halsall, P., 1998. Cicero: Selected Letters. [Online] Available at: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/cicero-letters.asp [Accessed 12 May 2014].
Matyszak, P., 2003. Chronicle of the Roman Republic. London: Thames & Hudson.
Schullard, H., 1988. From the Gracchi to Nero. 5th ed. London: Routledge.
Zey, D. J., 1997. Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy. New York: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishing.