Reconsideration of the Catilinarian Conspiracy (63 B.C.)

Abstract

This article reconsiders the failed attempt by
some Roman citizens to gain power in Rome in 63 B.C.,
which is generally termed the “Catilinarian Conspiracy”.
Two Roman authors, M. Tullius Cicero and C. Sallustius
Crispus, were contemporary with the events taking place
in and around that year and they wrote detailed accounts
concerning the duration of conspiracy as well as its participants who intended to obtain power through the use
of force. The participants in the conspiracy on the one
hand resorted to murders and arson inside the city of
Rome and on the other, began to form an army in northern Etruria, by means of which they would attack Rome
at the time planned. In the relevant sources, the burden of
the conspiracy is thrown upon the leadership of Catiline
who is described as a debauched, and indebted, scion of a
noble family. In fact the conspiracy requires explanation
from various points of view, including the roles of the
other participants distinct from Catiline. This article puts
forward the understanding of these events, suggesting
primarily that Catiline and the leaders, who were the
enemies of Cicero, were after a certain point of time
during the course of events made a scapegoat and that
they were actually forced to undertake this conspiracy
(coniuratio) and to resort to the consequent military
action (bellum).