Cicero's Against Catilina Sparknotes

Cicero’s Against Catilina orations tells the reader more about Cicero himself than what the role of consul in the Roman Republic consists of. That’s not to say that Cicero’s orations don’t tell the reader anything about the role of Roman consulship, it’s just that they more insight about Cicero in the long run. Written works often tell one more about the author than they could ever tell you about the subject. From this speech alone, one can infer Cicero’s morals and values. He values reputation very highly. He also has a certain set of standards and morals that he holds himself to as well as everyone else. He doesn’t neglect those morals and he doesn’t expect others to either.

The prosecution of Catilina was a really big deal for Cicero. Cicero believed that this was the thing could potentially prove his worth. Cicero came from a poorer family, outside of Rome. He was a citizen of Italy, but not of Rome. Most of the men in the Senate came from really old and really rich families within Rome. Their family names held power and meaning, simply because of the age and wealth that accompanied them. Cicero’s family held no weight and power, because his linage stemmed from outside of Rome. Everything Cicero was was self made. He had to build up his own reputation and make himself known. He won his consulship by complete chance. No one

actually thought he would do much, but Cicero wanted to make a name out of himself and prove his worth. He began actively searching for suspicious activity within Rome, hoping that it would be his big break. Which is what the Catilina prosecution were. In exposing Catilina’s conspiracy against Rome, Cicero had a platform to prove his worth within the eyes of Senate and the people of Rome. Throughout all of these speeches, he is trying to reassure the people that he is worthy and that what he has to say matters. He even equates his opinion to that of Rome in order to make people listen to him. One such example is on page 86, “ If our country spoke to you in such terms, ought not her plea to be granted, even if she did not have the power to back it with force” (Cicero 86)
Through his orations, one can also get a glimpse of Cicero’s moral standards. Cicero really values Rome and what it used to stand for. He believes that Rome and country should be put before all things. He calls Rome, “Your country, the common parent of us all” (Cicero 85), equating it to the role of a parent. The Romans had a strong sense of love and loyalty for their parent, especially their fathers. Killing one’s parent was considered taboo. (Class Notes) In making that statement, Cicero is declaring that one should treat Rome like they would their parents and have undying love and loyalty towards her, meaning that he does. This is a potential explanation for why he describes Catalina’s conspiracy as such an offensive crime. Catalina was attempting to betray and destroy Rome, which is like betraying and killing a parent in Cicero’s eyes.
Cicero also has a high amount of respect for Roman law. He believes that the law is a law and that nothing should or could warrant breaking. Throughout his orations, Cicero frequently makes references to the deeds of other consuls, who took the law into their own hands when dealing with a criminal. One such example is “Gaius Servilius Ahala who with his own hand slew Spurius Maelius for plotting a revolution.” (Cicero 77) While Cicero supports their actions and thinks that what they did was ultimately the right thing to do, he would never do it himself. He is far too attached to his morals. He could never abandon them, even if he wanted to. He’s considered it, certainly, but he still wishes to abide by the law and would rather have the permission of the senate and the people before taking action.
While Cicero’s orations tell the reader a great deal about him, they also give the reader some insight on what it is like being a Roman consul at least according to Cicero. Based strictly off of these orations, one can tell that consuls held a substantial amount of power. They themselves weren’t at liberty to do much but, they could convince the senate or the assembly to agree with them and then grant them the power to do whatever they wanted. In order to do that, they had to be very persuasive. Cicero frequently uses his persuasive skills within these speeches. He knows his audience and changes his wording and language accordingly. One such example is in speech three, when he is addressing the people. He lists some things in order of most valuable to slightly less valuable, which he states were in danger because of Catilina’s attempt to destroy Rome. “ Romans: your country, and the lives of every one of you, your property, your fortunes, your wives and children, this centre of your illustrious government, this most fortunate and beautiful of cities.” (Cicero 110). He puts Rome, their lives and their money/property and the very top,knowing that the Roman people fear to lose them the most. Then he plays the role of hero and states that he was the one who “gave them back to you safe and sound.” (Cicero 110). In a way, making the Roman people in debted to him, because he saved that which was most precious to them. Using this type of persuasive language, Roman consuls could easily persuade feeble minded people to do what they wanted them to do
According to Cicero, consuls are supposed to be men of a very high moral ground.

They are supposed to be selfless, and always put Rome and the people above themselves. They speak on behalf of the Roman people. They speak for them and are always supposed to do what is right by them. Cicero mentions his selflessness often throughout the speeches. One such example is “I am perfectly prepared to endure this storm of unjustified, undeserved hatred if only the menace of a horrifying and iniquitous war can be averted from all of you.” (Cicero 101) Consuls have to be willing to put themselves on the line in order to make sure Rome

prevails.
It is also known that the consuls often were commanders of the army. Cicero was in no way a military man, but he did attempt to put on a brave face and act like he could potentially be one if he had to. Essentially his message is that while he isn’t a general, he would fight and give up his life in order to save Rome. One such example “The interests of our country are in my watchful care.” (Cicero 103). Cicero states that it is the duty of the consul to watch over Rome and protect it when it needs him most, even if he is lacking in military skill.
Everything that Cicero has written, has told the reader way more about him than about anything else. Cicero’s core morals and values shine through in his writing. He is a man who is constantly trying to prove his worth in the eyes of the Roman people. He highly values reputation, and according to him, it is the lifeblood of the government. Reputation is what makes a man important. He also values Rome above all other things. He thinks that as a Roman consul, one should also highly value Rome, as well as have a sense of duty and honor. Cicero also happens to be a stickler for the rules and refuses to break any, because in doing so, he would be betraying the Roman people and Rome herself. To Cicero, Rome is everything.