Sallust's Catilinarian War

XLI

XLI

sed Allobroges diu in incerto habuêre, quidnam consili caperent.

But the Allobroges thought for a long while about what their plan should be.

in altera parte erat aes alienum, studium belli, magna merces in spe uictoriae; at in altera maiores opes, tuta consilia, pro incerta spe certa praemia.

On one side they had their debt, their desire for war, and great reward in the hope of victory; but on the other they saw greater resources, a safe course of action, and sure rewards in the place of an uncertain expectation.

haec illis uoluentibus tandem uicit fortuna rei publicae.

As they thought over these matters, the republic's fortune won out.

itaque Q.~Fabio Sangae, cuius patrocinio ciuitas plurimum utebatur, rem omnem, uti cognouerant, aperiunt.

And so they revealed the entire matter as they knew it to Quintus Fabius Sanga, whose patronage did a great amount of good for their community.

Cicero per Sangam consilio cognito legatis praecipit, ut studium coniurationis uehementer simulent, ceteros adeant, bene polliceantur dentque operam, uti eos quam maxime manufestos habeant.

When Cicero had learned of the plot through Sanga, he instructed the envoys to make a strong show of interest in the conspiracy, approach the rest of the conspirators, make promises easily and try hard to get them to reveal as much as possible.

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XLII

isdem fere temporibus in Gallia citeriore atque ulteriore, item in agro Piceno, Bruttio, Apuliâ motus erat.

Around the same time in Nearer and Farther Gaul, and likewise in the Picene territory, in Bruttium, and in Apulia, events got underway.

namque illi, quos ante Catilina dimiserat, inconsulte ac ueluti per dementiam cuncta simul agebant.

For those whom Catiline had sent off earlier, all acted at the same time without any plan, as if they were out of their minds.

nocturnis consiliis, armorum atque telorum portationibus, festinando, agitando omnia plus timoris quam periculi effecerant.

The night-time meetings, the transport of arms and weapons, all the hustle and bustle produced more fear than danger.

ex eo numero complurîs Q.~Metellus Celer praetor ex senatûs consulto, causâ cognitâ, in uincula coniecerat, item in citeriore Gallia C.~Murena, qui ei prouinciae legatus praeerat.

Praetor Quintus Metellus Celer, when he realized what was happening, had thrown many from that group into prison on a senatorial decree, and so did Gaius Murena in the province of Nearer Gaul, of which he had charge as an official representative.

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at Romae Lentulus cum ceteris, qui principes coniurationis erant, paratis, ut uidebatur, magnis copiis, constituerant, uti, cum Catilina in agrum Aefulanum cum exercitu uenisset, L.~Bestia tribunus plebis, contione habitâ, quereretur de actionibus Ciceronis; bellique grauissimi inuidiam optimo consuli imponeret: eo signo proxima nocte cetera multitudo coniurationis suum quodque negotium exsequeretur.

But at Rome, Lentulus, with the rest of the leaders of the conspiracy, after they had gotten together an apparently large number of troops, had decided that when Catiline had come into the Faesulan territory with an army, Lucius Bestia, the tribune of the commoners, would call an assembly and complain about Cicero's measures. He would burden that excellent consul with resentment for entering a very serious war. With that as a sign, on the next night, the rest of the crowd of conspirators would each carry out his appointed task.

sed ea diuisa hoc modo dicebantur: Statilius et Gabinius ut cum magna manu duodecim simul opportuna loca urbis incenderent, quo tumultu facilior aditus ad consulem ceterosque, quibus insidiae parabantur, fieret; Cethegus Ciceronis ianuam obsideret eumque ui aggrederetur; alius autem alium, sed filii familiarum, quorum ex nobilitate maxima pars erat, parentîs interficerent; simul caede et incendio perculsis omnibus ad Catilinam erumperent.

The tasks were said to have been apportioned this way: Statilius and Gabinius with a large group would set fire to twelve different strategic spots in the city at the same time, so that the confusion might make it easier to get to the consul and the rest of those against for whom ambushes were being prepared. Cethegus would stake out Cicero's doorway and attack him violently; various ones would kill different people, but the sons of those families who made up the largest part of the nobility, would kill their parents. When everyong was in shock from the simultaneous slaughter and fire, they would break out to Catiline.

inter haec parata atque decreta Cethegus semper querebatur de ignauiâ sociorum: illos dubitando et dies prolatando magnas opportunitates corrumpere:

During these preparations and decisions, Cethegus kept complaining about the inaction of his companions: by hesitating and by postponing the day, they were spoiling great opportunities.

facto, non consulto in tali periculo opus esse, seque, si pauci adiuuarent, languentibus aliis impetum in curiam facturum.

In a risky affair such as this, action was needed, not deliberation . He himself, if just a few assisted him, would make an attack on the senate house, even though the rest hung back.

naturâ ferox, uehemens, manu promptus erat, maximum bonum in celeritate putabat.

Aggressive by nature, passionate, he was ready to act, and he thought the greatest advantage was speed.

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sed Allobroges ex praecepto Ciceronis per Gabinium ceteros conueniunt.

But the Allobroges, on instructions from Cicero, met with the rest, using Gabinius as a contact.

ab Lentulo, Cethego, Statilio item Cassio postulant ius iurandum, quod signatum ad ciuîs perferant: aliter haud facile eos ad tantum negotium impelli posse.

They requested an oath from Lentulus, Cethegus, Statilius, and likewise Cassius. It would be sealed and brought to their fellow-citizens. Otherwise it would be extremely difficult to get them to go along with this enterprise.

ceteri nihil suspicantes dant, Cassius semet eo breui uenturum pollicetur ac paulo ante legatos ex urbe proficiscitur.

Suspecting nothing, the others took the oath. Cassius promised that he would come there soon, and he set out from the city a little ahead of the envoys.

Lentulus cum iis T.Volturcium quendam Crotoniensem mittit, ut Allobroges, prius quam domum pergerent, cum Catilina data atque accepta fide societatem confirmarent.

Lentulus sent a certain Titus Volturcius of Crotona with them, so that before the Allobroges continued on home, they might confirm their alliance with Catiline, making and accepting pledges of commitment.

ipse Volturcio litteras ad Catilinam dat, quarum exemplum infra scriptum est.

He himself gave Volturcius letters for Catiline, a copy of which has been reproduced below:

'qui sim, ex eo, quem ad te misi, cognosces.

"You will know who I am from the one whom I have sent to you.

fac cogites, in quanta calamitate sis, et memineris te uirum esse.

Take stock of what a crisis you are in and remember that you are a man.

consideres, quid tuae rationes postulent.

Consider what your thinking demands.

auxilium petas ab omnibus, etiam ab infimis.'

Seek help from everyone, even from the lowest."

ad hoc mandata uerbis dat: cum ab senatu hostis iudicatus sit, quo consilio seruitia repudiet?

He added an oral message to this: Since he has been judged an enemy by the senate, what is the good of rejecting slaves?

in urbe parata esse quae iusserit, ne cunctetur ipse propius accedere.

In the city, everything he ordered was ready, so he should not delay his arrival.

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his rebus ita actis, constitutâ nocte qua proficiscerentur Cicero per legatos cuncta edoctus L.~Valerio Flacco et C.~Pomptino praetoribus imperat, ut in ponte Muluio per insidias Allobrogum comitatus deprehendant.

As these things were unfolding in this manner, Cicero was given all the information by the envoys on the night set for their departure. He ordered the praetors, Lucius Valerius Flaccus and Gaius Pomptinus to take the Allobrogian entourage in a trap at the Mulvian bridge.

rem omnem aperit, cuius gratiâ mittebantur; cetera, uti facto opus sit, ita agant permittit.

He explained the whole reason why they were being sent. As for the rest, he gave them leave to act as necessary.

illi, homines militares, sine tumultu praesidiis collocatis, sicuti praeceptum erat, occulte pontem obsidunt.

They, as military men, stationed their guard without making a disturbance, just as they had been ordered, and they staked out the bridge.

postquam ad id loci legati cum Volturcio uenerunt et simul utrimque clamor exortus est, Galli cito cognito consilio sine mora praetoribus se tradunt, Volturcius primo cohortatus ceteros gladio se a multitudine defendit, deinde, ubi a legatis desertus est, multa prius de salute sua Pomptinum obtestatus, quod ei notus erat.

After the envoys got to that spot with Volturcius and shouting arose at the same time on both sides, the Gauls, getting the idea at once, quickly turned themselves over to the praetors without any delay. Volturcius at first defended himself against the large force, encouraging the others in his party, and then, when the envoys abandoned him, he first pleaded with Pomptinus, because he was known to him, at length about his safety.

postremo timidus ac uitae diffidens uelut hostibus sese praetoribus dedit.

Finally, timidly and with no confidence that he could save his life, he surrendered to the praetors as if to the enemy.

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quibus rebus confectis omnia propere per nuntios consuli declarantur.

After this, it was all reported to the consul through messengers.

at illum ingens cura atque laetitia simul occupauere.

But tremendous worry and elation gripped him simultaneously.

nam laetabatur intellegens, coniuratione patefacta, ciuitatem periculis ereptam esse; porro autem anxius erat dubitans, in maximo scelere, tantis ciuibus deprehensis, quid facto opus esset: poenam illorum sibi oneri, impunitatem perdendae rei publicae fore credebat.

For he was happy to know that the conspiracy was exposed and the state rescued from danger; but then again, he was troubled and unsure what he had to do next in the case of such an extreme crime, with such notable citizens under arrest. Punishing them would be a liability for him, but not punishing them would probably be deadly for the republic.

igitur confirmato animo uocari ad sese iubet Lentulum, Cethegum, Statilium, Gabinium, itemque Caeparium Terracinensem, qui in Apuliam ad concitanda seruitia proficisci parabat.

So, steeling his spirit, he had Lentulus, Cethegus, Statilius, Gabinius, brought in, along with Caeparius of Terracina, who was getting ready to set out to incite the slaves.

ceteri sine mora ueniunt; Caeparius, paulo ante domo egressus, cognito indicio ex urbe profugerat.

The rest came without delay; Caeparius, who had left his residence a little earlier, had fled from the city when he realized what was happening.

consul Lentulum, quod praetor erat, ipse manu tenens in senatum perducit, reliquos cum custodibus in aedem Concordiae uenire iubet.

The consul led Lentulus into the Senate by his hand, because he was a praetor, and he ordered the rest to come under guard to the Temple of Concord.

eo senatum aduocat, magnâque frequentiâ eius ordinis, Volturcium cum legatis introducit, Flaccum praetorem scrinium cum litteris, quas a legatis acceperat, eodem afferre iubet.

There he convened the senate and he brought Volturcius with the envoys before the full assembly, and he ordered Flaccus the praetor to bring to that same place the container with the letters that he had gotten from the envoys.

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Volturcius interrogatus de itinere, de litteris, postremo quid aut qua de causa consili habuisset, primo fingere alia, dissimulare de coniuratione;

Volturcius, when asked about his journey, about the letter, and finally about what his intention and motivation he had had, at first tried to fabricate an explanation and to pretend that there was no conspiracy.

post, ubi fide publicâ dicere iussus est, omnia, uti gesta erant, aperit;

Later, under a promise of pardon, when he was told to speak, he revealed exactly what had happened.

docetque se paucis ante diebus a Gabinio et Caepario socium adscitum, nihil amplius scire quam legatos, tantummodo audire solitum ex Gabinio P.~Autronium, Ser.~Sullam, L.~Vargunteium, multos praeterea in ea coniuratione esse.

He explained that he had been admitted only a few days before, by Gabinius and Caeparius, that he knew nothing more than the envoys did, only that he had often heard from Gabinius that Publius Autronius, Servius Sulla, Lucius Vargunteius, and many others besides were part of the conspiracy.

eadem Galli fatentur.

The Gauls confessed the same.

ac Lentulum dissimulantem coarguunt praeter litteras sermonibus, quos ille habere solitus erat: ex libris Sibyllinis regnum Romae tribus Corneliis portendi; Cinnam atque Sullam antea, se tertium esse cui fatum foret urbis potiri; praeterea ab incenso Capitolio illum esse uigesumum annum quem saepe ex prodigiis haruspices respondissent bello ciuili cruentum fore.

When Lentulus was in the middle of his act, he was proven guilty not only by the letter but by the kind of talk in which he had been indulging: he used to say that the Sybilline Oracles predicted that the rule of Rome would go to three Cornelii. Cinna and Sulla had gone before, he was the third fated to take possession of the city; moreover, it was the twentieth year from the burning of the Capitol, the point when the diviners had often foretold from signs that it would be bloodied by a civil war.

igitur, perlectis litteris, cum prius omnes signa sua cognouissent, senatus decernit, uti, abdicato magistratu, Lentulus itemque ceteri in liberis custodiis habeantur.

Therefore, on reading over the letter, when everyone had recognized his own seal, the senate decreed that, resigning his office, Lentulus, and the rest as well, should be put under house arrest.

itaque Lentulus P.~Lentulo Spintheri, qui tum aedilis erat, Cethegus Q.~Cornificio, Statilius C.~Caesari, Gabinius M.~Crasso, Caeparius — nam is paulo ante ex fuga retractus erat — Cn.~Terentio senatori traduntur.

And so, Lentulus went to Publius Lentulus Spintherus, who was then an aedile; Cethegus to Quintus Cornificius; Statilius to Gaius Caesar; Gabinius to Marcus Crassus; and Caeparius (who had been brought back a little earlier from his flight) to the senator Gnaeus Terentius.

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interea plebs, coniuratione patefactâ, quae primo cupida rerum nouarum nimis bello fauebat, mutatâ mente, Catilinae consilia execrari, Ciceronem ad caelum tollere: ueluti ex seruitute erepta, gaudium atque laetitiam agitabat.

Meanwhile, when the conspiracy had been made public, the commoners, who at first, being eager for revolution, were too much in favor of the war, underwent a change of heart and began to curse Catiline's enterprise and exalt Cicero to the skies. Joy and elation gripped them as if they had been rescued from slavery.

namque alia belli facinora praedae magis quam detrimento fore, incendium uero crudele, immoderatum ac sibi maxime calamitosum putabat, quippe cui omnes copiae in usu cottidiano et cultu corporis erant.

For the other hostilities would be more of a gain than a loss, but fire they thought would be cruel, excessive, and especially disastrous for them, since everything they had they were using every day for their personal needs.

post eum diem quidam L.~Tarquinius ad senatum adductus erat, quem ad Catilinam proficiscentem ex itinere retractum aiebant.

After that day, a certain Lucius Tarquinius had been brought to the senate. They said he had been brought back from making a journey to Catiline.

is, cum se diceret indicaturum de coniuratione, si fides publica data esset, iussus a consule quae sciret edicere, eadem fere quae Volturcius de paratis incendiis, de caede bonorum, de itinere hostium senatum docet: praeterea se missum a M.~Crasso, qui Catilinae nuntiaret, ne eum Lentulus et Cethegus aliique ex coniuratione deprehensi terrerent, eoque magis properaret ad urbem accedere, quo et ceterorum animos reficeret et illi facilius e periculo eriperentur.

When he said that he would give information on the conspiracy on the promise of immunity, the consul told him to recount what he knew. He related just about the same story that Voltucius had given about the fires, about the slaughter of respectable people, and about the journey of hostile parties. In addition, he said that he had been sent by Marcus Crassus to announce to Catiline that he should not worry about the arrest of Lentulus and Cethegus and the other conspirators. He should step up his arrival at the city, to encourage the spirits of the rest and so that they could be more easily rescued from danger.

sed ubi Tarquinius Crassum nominauit, hominem nobilem, maximis diuitiis, summâ potentiâ, alii rem incredibilem rati, pars tametsi uerum existimabant, tamen quia in tali tempore tanta uis hominis magis lenienda quam exagitanda uidebatur, plerique Crasso ex negotiis priuatis obnoxii, conclamant indicem falsum esse, deque ea re postulant uti referatur.

But when Tarquinius named Crassus, a nobleman, extremely rich and powerful, some thought the story was unbelievable, others however decided that it was true. Nevertheless since in such an emergency, it seemed that so powerful a man ought to be soothed rather than aggravated, a good many who were obliged to Crassus in private business dealings shouted out that the witness was false, and they demanded that the matter be formally introduced for discussion in the senate.

itaque consulente Cicerone frequens senatus decernit Tarquini indicium falsum uideri eumque in uinculis retinendum neque amplius potestatem faciendam, nisi de eo indicaret, cuius consilio tantam rem esset mentitus.

And so Cicero made a motion and the full senate decreed that Tarquinius's testimony seemed false and that he should be kept in chains and given no further sway unless he testifed who had put him up to lying in such a serious matter.

erant eo tempore qui existimarent indicium illud a P.~Autronio machinatum, quo facilius appellato Crasso per societatem periculi reliquos illius potentiâ tegeret.

At that time there were those who thought that the testimony had been engineered by Publius Autronius to more easily protect the rest by Crassus's power by associating him with them.

alii Tarquinium a Cicerone immissum aiebant, ne Crassus more suo suscepto malorum patrocinio rem publicam conturbaret.

Others say that Tarquinius had been brought in by Cicero, so that Crassus would not upset the republic by sponsoring disreputable people they way he typically did.

ipsum Crassum ego postea praedicantem audiui tantam illam contumeliam sibi ab Cicerone impositam.

I later heard Crassus himself say openly that he had been smeared by Cicero.

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sed isdem temporibus Q.~Catulus et C.~Piso neque precibus neque pretio neque gratia Ciceronem impellere potuêre, uti per Allobroges aut alium indicem C.~Caesar falso nominaretur.

But at that time, Quintus Catulus and Gaius Piso could not influence, cajole, or bribe Cicero to use the Allobroges or another witness to lie about Gaius Caesar and name him as part of the plot.

nam uterque cum illo grauîs inimicitias exercebat: Piso oppugnatus in iudicio pecuniarum repetundarum propter cuiusdam Transpadani supplicium iniustum; Catulus ex petitione pontificatus odio incensus, quod extremâ aetate, maximis honoribus usus, ab adulescentulo Caesare uictus discesserat.

For each of them detested him: Caesar had assailed Piso in court for extortion on account of the unjust punishment of a certain man from Transpadanum. Catulus was full of a hateful anger because of his campaign for the pontificate: he had considerable seniority and a distinguished career, but he had been beaten by Caesar, a very young man.

res autem opportuna uidebatur, quod is priuatim egregia liberalitate, publice maximis muneribus grandem pecuniam debebat.

The time seemed right, because Caesar owed a large amount of money: he had been remarkably generous privately and he had also been known for making very large public endowments.

sed ubi consulem ad tantum facinus impellere nequeunt, ipsi singillatim circumeundo atque ementiendo, quae se ex Volturcio aut Allobrogibus audisse dicerent, magnam illi inuidiam conflauerant, usque eo ut nonnulli equites Romani, qui praesidi causâ cum telis erant circum aedem Concordiae, seu periculi magnitudine seu animi mobilitate impulsi, quo studium suum in rem publicam clarius esset, egredienti ex senatu Caesari gladio minitarentur.

When they could not get Cicero to act in such a criminal way, they on their own went around individually spreading lies, which they claimed to have heard from Volturcius or the Allobroges, and they worked up a good deal of ill-will against Caesar, to such an extent that some Roman knights who were provided armed security around the Temple of Concord, driven by either the extreme danger or by the passion of the moment to make their patriotism obvious, threatened Caesar with a sword as he was leaving the senate.

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dum haec in senatu aguntur et dum legatis Allobrogum et T.~Volturcio, comprobato eorum indicio, praemia decernuntur, liberti et pauci ex clientibus Lentuli diuersis itineribus opifices atque seruitia in uicis ad eum eripiendum sollicitabant, partim exquirebant duces multitudinum, qui pretio rem publicam uexare soliti erant.

While these things were proceeding in the senate, and while the rewards for the envoys of the Allobroges and Titus Volturcius were being decided upon the confirmation of their testimony, some freedmen and a few of Lentulus's clients went here and there to get workmen and slaves in the neighborhoods to rescue him, and some of them sought out gang leaders who were accustomed to disturbing the peace for a price.

Cethegus autem per nuntios familiam atque libertos suos, lectos et exercitatos, orabat in audaciam, ut grege facto cum telis ad sese irrumperent.

Cethegus used messengers to encourage his household staff and his freedmen, who had been chosen and trained, to come together in a group and break in to him with weapons.

consul ubi ea parari cognouit, dispositis praesidiis, ut res atque tempus monebat, conuocato senatu, refert, quid de iis fieri placeat, qui in custodiam traditi erant.

When the consul found out that these things were in the making, setting guards as the time and situation warranted, he convened the senate and raised the issue of what its will was regarding those who had been put in custody.

sed eos paulo ante frequens senatus iudicauerat contra rem publicam fecisse.

A little earlier the senate had judged that they had been guilty of treason.

tum D.~Iunius Silanus primus sententiam rogatus, quod eo tempore consul designatus erat, de iis, qui in custodiis tenebantur, et praeterea de L.~Cassio, P.~Furio, P.~Umbreno, Q.~Annio, si deprehensi forent, supplicium sumendum decreuerat;

Then, Decimus Junius Silanus, because at that time he was the consul-elect, was asked his opinion first about those who were being held in custody, and about Lucius Cassius, Publius Furius, Publius Umbrenus, and Quintus Annius, if they were to be arrested. He had determined they would be punished with death.

isque postea permotus oratione C.~Caesaris pedibus in sententiam Ti.Neronis iturum se dixit, quod de ea re praesidiis additis referendum censuerat.

Later, deeply influenced by Gaius Caesar's speech, he said that he would go over to the side of Tiberius Nero's opinion, because he had moved that the question be introduced after security had been increased.

sed Caesar, ubi ad eum uentum est, rogatus sententiam a consule, huiusce modi uerba locutus est:

But Caesar, when it was his turn, asked his opinion by the consul, gave a speech in this manner:

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'omnîs homines, patres conscripti, qui de rebus dubiis consultant, ab odio, amicitia, ira, atque misericordia uacuos esse decet.

"Conscript fathers, it is right that all people who deliberate doubtful questions should be free from hatred, friendship, anger, and sympathy.

haud facile animus uerum prouidet, ubi illa officiunt, neque quisquam omnium libidini simul et usui paruit.

The mind can hardly see the best way forward where these things stand in its way, and nobody anywhere can obey his own personal likes and his needs at the same time.

ubi intenderis ingenium ualet; si libido possidet, ea dominatur, animus nihil ualet.

When you apply your talent, it prevails. But if personal preferences possess it, the mind is worthless.

magna mihi copia est memorandi, patres conscripti, quae reges atque populi irâ aut misericordiâ impulsi male consuluerint.

I have a storehouse of examples, conscript fathers, of how kings and peoples, driven by anger or pity, made bad decisions.

sed ea malo dicere, quae maiores nostri contra libidinem animi sui recte atque ordine fecêre.

But I prefer to speak of those things that our ancestors did correctly and appropriately, against their own personal preferences.

bello Macedonico, quod cum rege Perse gessimus, Rhodiorum ciuitas magna atque magnifica, quae populi Romani opibus creuerat, infida et aduersa nobis fuit.

In the Macedonian war, which we carried on with King Perses, the great and splendid state of Rhodes, which had developed through Roman resources, was disloyal and opposed us.

sed postquam bello confecto de Rhodiis consultum est, maiores nostri, ne quis diuitiarum magis quam iniuriiae causâ bellum inceptum diceret, impunitos eos dimisêre.

But after deliberation was held on Rhodes after the war, our ancestors let them go unpunished, so that no one might say that the war had been undertaken more for the sake of wealth than to avenge an injury.

item bellis Punicis omnibus, cum saepe Carthaginienses et in pace et per indutias multa nefaria facinora fecissent, numquam ipsi per occasionem talia fecêre:

Likewise, in all the Punic wars, when the Carthaginians had committed many heinous offences both in peace and during the truces, they themselves never acted that way even when the occasion arose.

magis quid se dignum foret, quam quid in illos iure fieri posset, quaerebant.

They were more concerned about what would be worthy of them than about what they could justifiably do against the others.

hoc item uobis prouidendum est, patres conscripti ne plus apud uos ualeat P.~Lentuli et ceterorum scelus quam uestra dignitas, neu magis irae uestrae quam famae consulatis.

You have to think about this too, conscript fathers, so that you do not give more weight to the crime of Publius Lentulus and the rest than to your own dignity, and so that you do not take your own anger more into consideration than you do your repute.

nam si digna poena pro factis eorum reperitur, nouum consilium approbo; sin magnitudo sceleris omnium ingenia exsuperat, his utendum censeo, quae legibus comparata sunt.

For if a worthy penalty is discovered that is appropriate for their actions, I approve a new procedure; but if the monstrousness of the crime outdoes everyone's best ability, I think that we should employ the legal provisions now in place.

plerique eorum, qui ante me sententias dixerunt, composite atque magnifice casum rei publicae miserati sunt.

Many of those who have spoken their opinions ahead of me have artfully and splendidly bemoaned the situation of the republic.

quae belli saeuitia esset, quae uictis acciderent, enumerauere: rapi uirgines, pueros; diuelli liberos a parentum complexu; matres familiarum pati quae uictoribus collibuissent; fana atque domos spoliari; caedem, incendia fieri; postremo armis, cadaueribus, cruore atque luctu omnia compleri.

They have described what the savagery of war is, what happens to those who lose: the raping of young women and children; the ripping of the young out of their parents arms; mothers of families suffering whatever pleases the whims of the winners; the looting of shrines and private residences; slaughter and arson; finally, the complete immersion in weapons, dead bodies, gore, and grief.

sed, per deos immortalîs, quo illa oratio pertinuit?

But by the immortal gods! What point does such a speech have?

an uti uos infestos coniurationi faceret?

Has it really turned you against the conspiracy?

scilicet, quem res tanta et tam atrox non permouit, eum oratio accendet?

In fact, if such an awful and serious thing does not deeply affect someone, will a speech inflame him?

non ita est, neque cuiquam mortalium iniuriae suae paruae uidentur — multi eas grauius aequo habuêre.

No, not at all. And nobody anywhere thinks of his own injuries as small. Most make them out to be more serious than they should.

sed alia aliis licentia est, patres conscripti.

But different people have different ranges for what they can do, conscript fathers.

qui demissi in obscuro uitam habent, si quid iracundiâ deliquêre, pauci sciunt, fama atque fortuna eorum pares sunt;

Those who live deep in obscurity, if thy have committed some transgression out of anger, few know about it. Their reputation and their success are on the same level.

qui magno imperio praediti in excelso aetatem agunt, eorum facta cuncti mortales nouêre.

Those who are endowed with great authority live life on a stage; everybody knows what they do.

ita in maximâ fortunâ minima licentia est;

So the greatest success brings with it the smallest range for free action.

neque studere neque odisse, sed minime irasci decet;

It is not right for them to be passionate for something or to hate, but they are not at all to get angry.

quae apud alios iracundia dicitur, ea in imperio superbia atque crudelitas appellatur.

What is called anger among some is called arrogance and cruelty when it is accompanied by power.

equidem ego sic existimo, patres conscripti, omnîs cruciatus minores quam facinora illorum esse.

Indeed, I truly believe, conscript fathers, that all torture fails to rise to the same level as their crimes.

sed plerique mortales postrema meminêre et in hominibus impiis, sceleris eorum obliti, de poena disserunt, si ea paulo seuerior fuit.

But most mortals remember what happened last: and when it comes to criminals, they forget the crime and talk about their punishment, if it is a little too excessive.

D.~Silanum, uirum fortem atque strenuum, certo scio quae dixerit studio rei publicae dixisse, neque illum in tanta re gratiam aut inimicitias exercere: eos mores eamque modestiam uiri cognoui.

I know for sure that Decimus Silanus, a brave and energetic man, said what he did out of spirit of patriotism, and that he is not playing politics in such a serious matter: I know the character and the man and what discretion he has.

uerum sententia eius mihi non crudelis — quid enim in talîs homines crudele fieri potest? — sed aliena a re publica nostra uidetur.

But his opinion seems to me not cruel — for what could be cruelty toward people like these? — but foreign to the character of our republic.

nam profecto aut metus aut iniuria te subegit, Silane, consulem designatum, genus poenae nouum decernere.

For no doubt either fear or injury has forced you, Silanus, a consul elect, to declare a novel kind of punishment.

de timore superuacuaneum est disserere, cum praesertim diligentiâ clarissimi uiri consulis tanta praesidia sint in armis.

It is unnecessary to talk about fear, when we have such armed security, through the diligence of our celebrated consul.

de poena possum equidem dicere, id quod res habet, in luctu atque miseriis mortem aerumnarum requiem, non cruciatum esse; eam cuncta mortalium mala dissoluere; ultra neque curae neque gaudio locum esse.

Certainly I can say about punishment, as things are, that in grief and misery death brings a rest from ones labors, not suffering; it undoes all the troubles of mortals; after that there is no place for either worry or joy.

sed per deos immortalîs, quam ob rem in sententiam non addidisti, uti prius uerberibus in eos animaduerteretur?

But by the immortal gods, why did you not add to the sentence that they should be scourged first?

an quia lex Porcia uetat? at aliae leges item condemnatis ciuibus non animam eripi, sed exilium permitti iubent.

Is it that the Porcian law forbids it? But other laws say in the same way that condemned citizens should not forfeit their lives, but they can be allowed to go into exile.

an quia grauius est uerberari quam necari?

Or is that that being beaten is worse than being killed?

quid autem acerbum aut nimis graue est in homines tanti facinoris conuictos?

What is harsh or excessive against men convicted of so great a crime?

sin quia leuius est, quî conuenit in minore negotio legem timere, cum eam in maiore neglegeris?

But if it is lighter, how does it do to fear the law in a lesser matter when you are neglecting it in a more serious one?

at enim quis reprehendet quod in parricidas rei publicae decretum erit?

But who will criticize you for what will have been decreed against the parricides of the republic?

tempus, dies, fortuna, cuius libido gentibus moderatur.

This moment, the passage of days, and fortune, whose pleasure rules over nations.

illis merito accidet quicquid euenerit; ceterum uos, patres conscripti, quid in alios statuatis, considerate.

They deserve whatever they get. But you, conscript fathers, think about what you are decreeing for others.

omnia mala exempla ex rebus bonis orta sunt.

All bad examples take their beginnings from good considerations.

sed ubi imperium ad ignaros eius aut minus bonos peruenit, nouum illud exemplum ab dignis et idoneis ad indignos et non idoneos transfertur.

But when the rule passes to those who are not knowledgeable about it, or to those who are not so good, that novel example is transferred from worthy and appropriate uses to unworthy and inappropriate ones.

Lacedaemonii deuictis Atheniensibus triginta uiros imposuêre, qui rem publicam eorum tractarent.

The Spartans, when they had conquered the Athenians, imposed the Council of Thirty to manage their affairs of state.

ii primo coepêre pessimum quemque et omnibus inuisum indemnatum necare:

At first they began to kill without a trial every wicked person and and those that everyone hated.

ea populus laetari et merito dicere fieri.

The people were delighted about this and said that justice was being done.

post, ubi paulatim licentia creuit, iuxta bonos et malos libidinose interficere, ceteros metu terrere:

Later, when their scope to do as they liked grew little by little, they began to kill the good and the bad arbitrarily, and to terrify the rest.

ita ciuitas, seruitute oppressa, stultae laetitiae grauîs poenas dedit.

Thus the state, by being reduced to slavery, paid a heavy price for its silly giddiness.

nostrâ memoriâ uictor Sulla cum Damasippum et alios eius modi, qui malo rei publicae creuerant, iugulari iussit, quis non factum eius laudabat?

In our own memory, when Sulla as victor had ordered the execution of Damasippus and others like him who had gotten to the point of doing harm to the republic, who did not praise his deed?

homines scelestos et factiosos, qui seditionibus rem publicam exagitauerant, merito necatos aiebant.

They said that criminal and seditious men who had troubled the republic with rebellion were rightfully killed.

sed ea res magnae initium cladis fuit.

But that was the beginning of a disaster.

nam uti quisque domum aut uillam, postremo uas aut uestimentum alicuius concupiuerat, dabat operam, uti is in proscriptorum numero esset.

For if anyone had taken a liking to somebody's residence or villa, or finally to a vase or a garment, he saw to it that that person was listed among the proscribed.

ita illi, quibus Damasippi mors laetitiae fuerat, paulo post ipsi trahebantur, neque prius finis iugulandi fuit, quam Sulla omnîs suos diuitiis expleuit.

So those who were elated over Damasippus's death were a little later themselves eliminated, and the murder did not stop before Sulla made his own supporters wealthy.

atque haec ego non in M.~Tullio neque his temporibus uereor, sed in magna ciuitate multa et uaria ingenia sunt.

I am not worried about this happening in these times or with Marcus Tullius, but a great state has many different talents.

potest alio tempore, alio consule, cui item exercitus in manu sit, falsum aliquid pro uero credi.

At some other time, when someone else is consul who likewise has an army at his disposal, something false might be believed as the truth.

ubi hoc exemplo per senatus decretum consul gladium eduxerit, quis illi finem statuet aut quis moderabitur?

When under this precedent, by decree of the senate, the consul has drawn the sword, who will set a limit to it? Who will control it?

maiores nostri, patres conscripti, neque consili neque audaciae umquam eguêre;

Our ancestors, conscript fathers, never lacked good counsel or boldness.

neque illis superbia obstabat quo minus aliena instituta, si modo proba erant, imitarentur.

And no arrogance blocked them from imitating the foreign practices if they were good ones.

arma atque tela militaria ab Samnitibus, insignia magistratuum ab Tuscis pleraque sumpserunt.

They adopted military weaponry from the Samnites, and many official insignia from the Tuscans.

postremo, quod ubique apud socios aut hostîs idoneum uidebatur, cum summo studio domi exsequebantur: imitari quam inuidere bonis malebant.

Finally, what seemed suitable everywhere among allies or friends, they instituted with ready enthusiasm at home: they preferred imitating rather than sneering at what was good.

sed eodem illo tempore, Graeciae morem imitati, uerberibus animaduertebant in ciuîs, de condemnatis summum supplicium sumebant.

But at that same time, imitating the Greek custom, they practiced the scourging of citizens, and allowed capital punishment for those who had been condemned.

postquam res publica adoleuit et multitudine ciuium factiones ualuere, circumueniri innocentes, alia huiusce modi fieri coepêre, tum lex Porcia aliaeque leges paratae sunt, quibus legibus exilium damnatis permissum est.

After the republic grew and the power of civil factions increased as their numbers mounted, they began to afflict the innocent, and engage in similar behavior, and then the Porcian Law and other laws were enacted, allowing exile for those who had been found guilty.

hanc ego causam, patres conscripti, quo minus nouum consilium capiamus, in primis magnam puto.

I think this is an especially good reason, conscript fathers, not to adopt a novel procedure.

profecto uirtus atque sapientia maior illis fuit, qui ex paruis opibus tantum imperium fecêre, quam in nobis, qui ea bene parta uix retinemus.

Certainly those who have attained such extensive power on the basis of slender resources have greater virtue and wisdom than we do, who hardly keep what has been so well achieved.

placet igitur eos dimitti et augeri exercitum Catilinae? minime.

Do I then want Catiline's army sent off and increased? Not at all.

sed ita censeo: publicandas eorum pecunias, ipsos in uinculis habendos per municipia, quae maxime opibus ualent; neu quis de iis postea ad senatum referat neue cum populo agat; qui aliter fecerit, senatum existimare eum contra rem publicam et salutem omnium facturum.'

But this is what I think: Their finances should be confiscated by the state, they should be kept in chains in various free towns that enjoy the greatest resources. No proposal should be made in the senate or with the people by anyone. Whoever fails to follow this, the senate should count him as a traitor to the republic and the common good.

LII

LII

postquam Caesar dicendi finem fecit, ceteri uerbo alius alii uarie assentiebantur.

After Caesar finished speaking, the rest found themselves agreeing with him in different ways.

at M.~Porcius Cato, rogatus sententiam, huiusce modi orationem habuit:

But Marcus Porcius Cato was asked his opinion, and he gave a speech that went like this:

longe alia mihi mens est, patres conscripti, cum res atque pericula nostra considero, et cum sententias nonnullorum ipse mecum reputo.

I am quite of a different opinion, conscript fathers, when I consider the dangers of our situation, and when I mull over the opinions that several have expressed.

illi mihi disseruisse uidentur de poena eorum, qui patriae, parentibus, aris atque focis suis bellum parauêre;

They seem to me to have been discussing the punishment of those who have planned war for their country, their parents, their altars and their own homes.

res autem monet cauere ab illis magis quam quid in illos statuamus consultare.

The circumstances are warning us to be more on guard against them than to be thinking about what we should decide to do to them.

nam cetera maleficia tum persequare, ubi facta sunt; hoc nisi prouideris ne accidat, ubi euenit, frustra iudicia implores: captâ urbe nihil fit reliqui uictis.

With other crimes, you may pursue them when they have been committed; unless you see to it that this one does not occur, your pleading in court would be useless: when the city has been taken, nothing is left for those who have been beaten.

sed, per deos immortalîs, uos ego appello, qui semper domos, uillas, signa, tabulas uestras pluris quam rem publicam fecistis:

But, by the immortal gods! I appeal to you, who have always thought more of your residences, villas, statues, and paintings than you have thought of the republic:

si ista, cuiuscumque modi sunt quae amplexamini, retinere, si uoluptatibus uestris otium praebere uultis, expergiscimini aliquando et capessite rem publicam.

If you want to keep those things, whatever they are that you are fondest of, if you want to have the leisure to enjoy your pleasures, then wake up for once and take hold of the republic.

non agitur de uectigalibus neque de sociorum iniuriis: libertas et anima nostra in dubio est.

It is not a matter of tributes or of injuries to our allies: our freedom and our lives are in jeopardy.

saepenumero, patres conscripti, multa uerba in hoc ordine feci, saepe de luxuriâ atque auaritiâ nostrorum ciuium questus sum, multosque mortalîs eâ causâ aduersos habeo.

Quite often, conscript fathers, I have made long speeches before this assembly, often I have complained about the extravagance and the greed of our citizens, and I have made many enemies that way.

qui mihi atque animo meo nullius umquam delicti gratiam fecissem, haud facile alterius libidini male facta condonabam.

Since I would have never given myself the pleasure of any transgression, I was hardly going to allow wicked acts done for someone else's personal pleasure.

sed ea tametsi uos parui pendebatis, tamen res publica firma erat, opulentia neglegentiam tolerabat.

Even though you put little value on such things, the republic was nevertheless solid, and its prosperity was able to hold up under the negligence.

nunc uero non id agitur, bonisne an malis moribus uiuamus, neque quantum aut quam magnificum imperium populi Romani sit, sed haec, cuiuscumque modi uidentur, nostra an nobiscum unâ hostium futura sint.

But now it is not a question of whether our moral behavior is good or bad, nor how great or splendid the rule of the Roman people is, but whether these things of ours, whatever their standing in our eyes, will be ours or will belong to the enemy, along with our very selves.

hîc mihi quisquam mansuetudinem et misericordiam nominat.

Someone here has brought up to me gentleness and mercy.

iam pridem equidem nos uera uocabula rerum amisimus: quia bona aliena largiri liberalitas, malarum rerum audacia fortitudo uocatur, eo res publica in extremo sita est.

We have long lost the right words for things: spending the resources that belong to someone else is "generosity"; reckless misbehavior is "bravery." This is why the republic is in crisis.

sint sane, quoniam ita se mores habent, liberales ex sociorum fortunis, sint misericordes in furibus aerari: ne illi sanguinem nostrum largiantur et, dum paucis sceleratis parcunt, bonos omnîs perditum eant.

Since the culture is the way it is, let them be generous with the fortunes of their companions; let them be merciful toward thieves that steal from the treasury: only let them not spend our blood freely and, while they spare a few scoundrels, send all decent people to their doom.

bene et composite C.~Caesar paulo ante in hoc ordine de uita et morte disseruit, credo falsa existimans ea, quae de inferis memorantur: diuerso itinere malos a bonis loca taetra, inculta foeda atque formidulosa habere.

A little while ago, Gaius Caesar discoursed well and artfully in this assembly about life and death, apparently considering untrue what is said about the underworld: that the wicked take a different path from the righteous, and that they get places that are repulsive, shoddy, foul, and frightful.

itaque censuit pecunias eorum publicandas, ipsos per municipia in custodiis habendos, uidelicet timens, ne, si Romae sint, aut a popularibus coniurationis aut a multitudine conductâ per uim eripiantur;

And so he thinks that their money should be confiscated by the state, and that they should be held under guard in various free-towns, no doubt fearing that if they are at Rome they might be forcibly rescued by their co-conspirators or by a hired mob.

quasi uero mali atque scelesti tantummodo in urbe et non per totam Italiam sint, aut non ibi plus possit audacia, ubi ad defendendum opes minores sunt.

As if there are wicked and criminal elements only in Rome and not though all of Italy, or as if boldness cannot do more there where there are fewer resources for defense.

quare uanum equidem hoc consilium est, si periculum ex illis metuit;

That is why this is quite a silly plan indeed, if he is afraid that they pose a threat.

si in tanto omnium metu solus non timet, eo magis refert me mihi atque uobis timere.

If in the midst of such a universal anxiety, he is the only one who is not afraid, then all the more important is it for me to be afraid for myself and for you.

quâ re, cum de P.~Lentulo ceterisque statuetis, pro certo habetote uos simul de exercitu Catilinae et de omnibus coniuratis decernere.

Therefore, when you make a decision about Publius Lentulus and the rest of them, be absolutely sure that you are at the same time making a decision about Catiline's army and about all the conspirators.

quanto uos attentius ea agetis, tanto illis animus infirmior erit; si paulum modo uos languere uiderint, iam omnes feroces aderunt.

The more vigorously you deal with them, the less confidence they will have; if they see you acting just a bit weakly, they will all be here in a moment with all their violent passion.

nolite existimare maiores nostros armis rem publicam ex paruâ magnam fecisse.

Do not think our ancestors used military might to make the republic grow from its small beginnings to greatness.

si ita esset, multo pulcherrimam eam nos haberemus:

If that were the case, we would be administering it in by far its fairest form.

quippe sociorum atque ciuium, praeterea armorum atque equorum maior copia nobis quam illis est.

Indeed, we outdo them with a larger abundance of allies and citizens, and also with a larger supply of armaments and horses.

sed alia fuêre, quae illos magnos fecêre, quae nobis nulla sunt:

But the things that made them great were different; they are things that we do not have at all.

domi industria, foris iustum imperium, animus in consulendo liber, neque delicto neque libidini obnoxius.

At home, they were industrious; abroad, they governed in justice; their intentions were free when they deliberated, subject neither to their faults nor to their whims.

pro his nos habemus luxuriam atque auaritiam, publice egestatem, priuatim opulentiam.

In place of these, we have excess and greed; the populace is needy; private individuals are rich.

laudamus diuitias, sequimur inertiam.

We praise wealth; we pursue an idle life.

inter bonos et malos discrimen nullum, omnia uirtutis praemia ambitio possidet.

There is no distinction between the decent and the immoral; ambition gets all the rewards that belong to virtue.

neque mirum: ubi uos separatim sibi quisque consilium capitis, ubi domi uoluptatibus, hîc pecuniae aut gratiae seruitis, eo fit ut impetus fiat in uacuam rem publicam.

Not surprising: when you each individually look to your own interests in making policy, when you serve your pleasures at home and either money or influence here, the result is an attack against a hollow government.

sed ego haec omitto.

But I set this aside.

coniurauêre nobilissimi ciues patriam incendere, Gallorum gentem infestissimam nomini Romano ad bellum arcessunt, dux hostium cum exercitu supra caput est; uos cunctamini etiam nunc et dubitatis, quid intra moenia deprensis hostibus faciatis?

Very noble citizens have conspired to burn down their country; they have enlisted for war a Gallic nation that stands in utter hostility to what is Roman; the leader of the enemy stands with an army over our heads; and you even now are delaying and hesitating over what to do when the enemy has been taken inside the city-walls?

misereamini censeo — deliquêre homines adulescentuli per ambitionem — atque etiam armatos dimittatis: ne ista uobis mansuetudo et misericordia, si illi arma ceperint, in miseriam conuertat.

I think you should take pity — amition has led the young men astray — and you should send them away even with their weapons: truly your kindness and mercy would turn into misery, if they do take up those arms.

scilicet res ipsa aspera est, sed uos non timetis eam. immo uero maxime.

To be sure, the matter is grim, but you do are not afraid of it. No, but you actually are — quite terribly afraid.

sed inertiâ et mollitiâ animi alius alium expectantes cunctamini, uidelicet dis immortalibus confisi, qui hanc rem publicam saepe in maximis periculis seruauêre.

But sloth and weak-mindedness keeps you delaying while you wait for each other to act, no doubt trusting in the immortal gods who have often saved this republic in times of the most critical danger.

non uotis neque suppliciis muliebribus auxilia deorum parantur; uigilando, agendo, bene consulendo prospere omnia cedunt.

The gods' assistance does not come from prayers or from the kinds of supplications that women make; things turn out successfully through vigilance, through action, and through good deliberation.

ubi socordiae te atque ignauiae tradideris, nequiquam deos implores: irati infestique sunt.

When you have given yourselves over to foolishness and inactivity, you would implore the gods in vain: they are angry and hostile.

apud maiores nostros A.Manlius Torquatus bello Gallico filium suum, quod is contra imperium in hostem pugnauerat, necari iussit, atque ille egregius adulescens immoderatae fortitudinis morte poenas dedit;

Among our ancestors, Aulus Manlius Torquatus, in the war against the Gauls, ordered his own son killed because he had fought the enemy against orders, and that outstanding youth paid the penalty for his excessive bravery.

uos de crudelissimis parricidis quid statuatis, cunctamini?

And you are delaying over what you should do with supremely cruel parricides?

uidelicet cetera uita eorum huic sceleri obstat.

Oh sure — the rest of their life stands against this crime.

uerum parcite dignitati Lentuli, si ipse pudicitiae, si famae suae, si dis aut hominibus umquam ullis pepercit.

Yes, but spare Lentulus's dignity — if he himself has ever spared his modesty, or his fame, or gods or people!

ignoscite Cethegi adulescentiae, nisi iterum patriae bellum fecit.

Pardon the youth of Cethegus, unless he has made war yet again on his country!

nam quid ego de Gabinio, Statilio, Caepario, loquar?

And what then should I say about Gabinius, Statilius, Caeparius?

quibus si quicquam umquam pensi fuisset, non ea consilia de re publica habuissent.

If they had ever cared at all about anything, they would not have made those plans about the republic.

postremo, patres conscripti, si mehercule peccato locus esset, facile paterer uos ipsâ re corrigi, quoniam uerba contemnitis.

Finally, conscript fathers, I swear that if there were a place for error, I would be happy to let you be corrected by the events themselves, since you scorn my words.

sed undique circumuenti sumus.

But we are surrounded on all sides.

Catilina cum exercitu faucibus urget; alii intra moenia atque in sinu urbis sunt hostes; neque parari neque consuli quicquam potest occulte: quo magis properandum est.

Catiline with his army presses hard at out throats; others within the walls and in the very heart of the city are enemies; nothing can be secretly readied or planned out. All the more do we have to hurry.

quare ego ita censeo, cum nefario consilio sceleratorum ciuium res publica in summa pericula uenerit, iique indicio T.~Volturci et legatorum Allobrogum conuicti confessique sint caedem, incendia, aliaque se foeda atque crudelia facinora in ciuis patriamque parauisse, de confessis, sicuti de manufestis rerum capitalium, more maiorum supplicium sumendum.'

For that reason, it is my opinion that, since the republic has come into a situation of extreme danger through the traitorous plans of criminal citizens, and those have been convicted by the witness of Titus Volturcius and the Allobrogian envoys and have confessed that they had prepared slaughter, arson, and other awful and cruel deeds against citizens and country, then, according to what has been confessed, just like those proven guilty of capital crimes, they ought to be punished in the manner sanctioned by tradition.

LIII

LIII

postquam Cato assedit, consulares omnes itemque senatûs magna pars sententiam eius laudant, uirtutem animi ad caelum ferunt, alii alios increpantes timidos uocant.

After Cato took his seat, all the consulars and a great part of the senate as well praised his position, extolled his personal virtue to the skies, and rebuked one another with timidity.

Cato clarus atque magnus habetur; senati decretum fit, sicuti ille censuerat.

Cato was considered brilliant and great; a decree of the senate was drawn up reflecting his opinion.

sed mihi multa legenti, multa audienti, quae populus Romanus domi militiaeque, mari atque terrâ praeclara facinora fecit, forte libuit attendere, quae res maxime tanta negotia sustinuisset.

In all my extensive research into what the Roman people brilliantly achieved at home and in the field, on land and sea, I happened to become especially interested in what it was that above all undergirded such great accomplisments.

sciebam saepenumero paruâ manu cum magnis legionibus hostium contendisse;

I knew that very often they had fought with a small team against large enemy legions.

cognoueram paruis copiis bella gesta cum opulentis regibus, ad hoc saepe fortunae uiolentiam tolerauisse, facundiâ Graecos, gloriâ belli Gallos ante Romanos fuisse.

I saw that they employed small armies against wealthy kings, and for that purpose they had often endured the violence of fortune; in eloquence the Greeks had surpassed the Romans, and in the glory of war the Galls had done the same.

ac mihi multa agitanti constabat paucorum ciuium egregiam uirtutem cuncta patrauisse, eoque factum, uti diuitias paupertas, multitudinem paucitas superaret.

And it became clear to me in my extended reflection that the outstanding virtue of a few citizens had achieved everything, and had brought it about that poverty overcame wealth, and small numbers large ones.

sed postquam luxu atque desidiâ ciuitas corrupta est, rursus res publica magnitudine sui imperatorum atque magistratuum uitia sustentabat ac, sicuti effetâ parentum vi, multis tempestatibus haud sane quisquam Romae uirtute magnus fuit.

But after the state was corrupted by extravagance and idleness, the republic again sustained the vices of his commanders and officials through its own greatness, and, just as if power of its parents to give birth had been completely exhausted, hardly anyone at Rome was great in virtue over a long stretch of time.

sed memoriâ meâ ingenti uirtute, diuersis moribus, fuere uiri duo, M.~Cato et C.~Caesar.

But in my own memory, there were two men of tremendous virtue, though different in their characters: Marcus Cato and Gaius Caesar.

quos quoniam res obtulerat, silentio praeterire non fuit consilium, quin utriusque naturam et mores, quantum ingenio possum, aperirem.

Since the story has now brought them forward, it has not been my plan to pass over them in silence, without revealing the nature and character of each of them, insofar as I have the talent to do so.

LIV

LIV

igitur iis genus, aetas, eloquentia prope aequalia fuere, magnitudo animi par, item gloria, sed alia alii.

Their families, their age, their speaking ability were about even; their spiritual greatness was equal, as was their fame, but in different ways.

Caesar beneficiis ac munificentiâ magnus habebatur, integritate uitae Cato.

Caesar was considered great because of his gifts and generous benefactions; Cato because of his personal integrity.

ille mansuetudine et misericordiâ clarus factus, huic seueritas dignitatem addiderat.

The former became famous from his kindness and mercy; the rigor of the latter gave him dignity.

Caesar dando, subleuando, ignoscendo, Cato nihil largiendo gloriam adeptus est.

Caesar achieved glory by giving, relieving, pardoning; Cato by granting nothing.

in altero miseris perfugium erat, in altero malis pernicies.

In one, there was a refuge for the unfortunate; in the other, a bane for the wicked.

illius facilitas, huius constantia laudabatur.

The good nature of the former and the constancy of the latter drew praise.

postremo Caesar in animum induxerat laborare, uigilare;

Lastly, Caesar had taken a notion to making a real effort, and to applying himself even in the evening hours.

negotiis amicorum intentus sua neglegere, nihil denegare quod dono dignum esset;

Focused on his friends' affairs, he neglected his own and never denied anything that was a worthy gift.

sibi magnum imperium, exercitum, bellum nouum exoptabat, ubi uirtus enitescere posset.

For himself, he was always hoping for a great command, an army, or a new war in which his excellence could shine out.

at Catoni studium modestiae, decoris, sed maxime seueritatis erat;

But Cato was eager for moderation, for moral dignity, and especially for rigor.

non diuitiis cum diuite neque factione cum factioso, sed cum strenuo uirtute, cum modesto pudore, cum innocente abstinentiâ certabat;

He did not use wealth to contend with the wealthy, or faction to contend with those given to factions, but he used virtue to rival the valiant, decency to rival the restrained, and abstinence to rival those who did no harm.

esse quam uideri bonus malebat: ita, quo minus petebat gloriam, eo magis illum assequebatur.

He preferred to be rather than to seem good, so the less he sought glory, the more it pursued him.

LV

LV

postquam, ut dixi, senatus in Catonis sententiam discessit, consul optimum factu ratus noctem quae instabat antecapere, ne quid eo spatio nouaretur, triumuiros quae ad supplicium postulabat parare iubet.

After the senate went over to Cato's position, as I have mentioned, the consul thought the best course was to act before the night-time that was fast approaching. So that nothing flared up in that space of time, he told the superintendents to make the necessary preparations for the execution.

ipse, praesidiis dispositis, Lentulum in carcerem deducit; idem fit ceteris per praetores.

Stationing guards, he himself took Lentulus down to the prison; the praetors did the same for the others.

est in carcere locus, quod Tullianum appellatur, ubi paululum ascenderis ad laeuam, circiter duodecim pedes humi depressus; eum muniunt undique parietes atque insuper camera lapideis fornicibus iuncta; sed incultu, tenebris, odore foeda atque terribilis eius facies est.

There is a place in the prison that is called the Tullianum, where you go up a little to the left, a sunken pit of about twelve feet in the ground. On all sides it is built around with walls and above it is a room covered over by stone vaulting. Its appearance is frightful and foul because of its disuse, its darkness and its smell.

in eum locum postquam demissus est Lentulus, uindices rerum capitalium, quibus praeceptum erat, laqueo gulam fregêre.

After Lentulus went down into that place, the executioners that had been given the order broke his neck with a noose.

ita ille patricius ex gente clarissimâ Corneliorum, qui consulare imperium Romae habuerat, dignum moribus factisque suis exitum uitae inuenit.

And so that famous patrician, born to the celebrated family of the Cornelii, a man who had held consular power at Rome, met a death that matched his character and his deeds.

de Cethego, Statilio, Gabinio, Caepario eodem modo supplicium sumptum est.

Cethegus, Statilius, Gabinius, Caeparius paid the penalty in the same way.

LVI

LVI

dum ea Romae geruntur, Catilina ex omni copia, quam et ipse adduxerat et Manlius habuerat, duas legiones instituit, cohortes pro numero militum complet.

While this is going on at Rome, Catiline, organized two legions from the entire force that he had taken and that Manlius had charge over. He filled out the cohorts according to the number of soldiers.

deinde, ut quisque uoluntarius aut ex sociis in castra uenerat, aequaliter distribuerat, ac breui spatio legiones numero hominum expleuerat, cum initio non amplius duobus milibus habuisset.

Then, as each one had come into the camp either as a volunteer or from his fellow-conspirators, he had distributed them equally, and in a short space of time, he had filled up the quota of men, even though he had originally had not more than two thousand.

sed ex omni copia circiter pars quarta erat militaribus armis instructa; ceteri, ut quemque casus armauerat, sparos aut lanceas, alii praeacutas sudes portabant.

But out of that whole assembly, around a quarter were outfitted with military weaponry; the rest carried what chance had given them for fighting: some, hunting or light spears and others, sharpened stakes.

sed postquam Antonius cum exercitu aduentabat, Catilina per montîs iter facere, modo ad urbem, modo Galliam uorsus castra mouere, hostibus occasionem pugnandi non dare.

After Antonius arrived with his army, Catiline made a journey through the mountains, now moving his camp towards Rome, now in the direction of Gaul, not giving the enemy a chance to fight.

sperabat propediem magnas copias sese habiturum, si Romae socii incepta patrauissent.

He was hoping that any time now he would have a large army if his companions at Rome had accomplished what they had started.

interea seruitia repudiabat, cuius initio ad eum magnae copiae concurrebant, opibus coniurationis fretus, simul alienum suis rationibus existimans uideri causam ciuium cum seruis fugitiuis communicauisse.

Meanwhile, he rejected the slave-class, though many of them had rushed to him at the beginning; he was relying on the resources of the conspiracy, and thinking that is was not in keeping with his way of thinking to seem to have shared the cause of the citizens with runaway slaves.

LVII

LVII

sed postquam in castra nuntius peruenit Romae coniurationem patefactam, de Lentulo et Cethego ceterisque, quos supra memoraui, supplicium sumptum, plerique quos ad bellum spes rapinarum aut nouarum rerum studium illexerat, dilabuntur;

But after there arrived in the camp the news that the conspiracy had been exposed at Rome, and that Lentulus, Cethegus, and the rest that I mentioned previously had been executed, many who had been lured to the war by the hope of plunder or by their eagerness for a revolution, slipped away.

reliquos Catilina per montîs asperos magnis itineribus in agrum Pistoriensem abducit eo consilio, uti per tramites occulte perfugeret in Galliam Transalpinam.

Catiline led the remainder on long marches through rough mountainous terrain into the Pistorian district with the intention of using footpaths to escape secretly to Transalpine Gaul.

at Q.~Metellus Celer cum tribus legionibus in agro Piceno praesidebat, ex difficultate rerum eadem illa existimans quae supra diximus Catilinam agitare.

But Quintus Metellus Celer sat in watch in the Picene district with three legions, thinking that, given the difficulty of the situation, Catiline was going to try to do exactly what I have just said he was going to do.

igitur ubi iter eius ex perfugis cognouit, castra propere mouit ac sub ipsis radicibus montium consedit, quâ illi descensus erat in Galliam properanti.

Therefore, when he found out from deserters the particular way they were going, he quickly broke camp and settled at the base of the mountains where Catiline would have to come down in his hurry to get into Gaul.

neque tamen Antonius procul aberat, utpote qui magno exercitu locis aequioribus expeditus in fuga sequeretur.

And Antonius was not far off, insofar as he was pursuing them with a large but lightly equipped army over a more level terrain.

sed Catilina postquam uidet montibus atque copiis hostium sese clausum, in urbe res aduersas, neque fugae neque praesidi ullam spem, optimum factu ratus in tali re fortunam belli temptare, statuit cum Antonio quam primum confligere.

After Catiline saw that he had been shut in by mountains and enemy troops, that things in Rome had gone against him, and that there was no hope for either flight or protection, thinking that the best course of action was to try the luck of war, he decided to fight with Antonius as soon as he could.

itaque, contione aduocatâ, huiusce modi orationem habuit:

And so, calling an assembly, he gave a speech that went something like this:

LVIII

LVIII

'compertum ego habeo, milites, uerba uirtutem non addere, neque ex ignauo strenuum neque fortem ex timido exercitum oratione imperatoris fieri.

"I know full well, soldiers, that words do not increase one's courage: a general's speech will not make a vigorous army out of one that shirks its duty, nor a brave one out of one that is timid.

quanta cuiusque animo audacia naturâ aut moribus inest, tanta in bello patere solet.

The boldness that gets shown in the fight is just whatever is already in each person's own nature or character.

quem neque gloria neque pericula excitant, nequiquam hortere: timor animi auribus officit.

It is useless to exhort someone that is not driven to action by glory or danger: fear stops up the ears of his heart.

sed ego uos, quo pauca monerem, aduocaui, simul uti causam mei consili aperirem.

But I have called you together to remind you of a few things, and at the same time to reveal to you the reasons for my strategy.

scitis equidem, milites, socordia atque ignauia Lentuli quantam ipsi nobisque cladem attulerit, quoque modo, dum ex urbe praesidia opperior, in Galliam proficisci nequiuerim.

You certainly know, soldiers, what a terrible setback Lentulus's foolish failure to act brought upon himself and us, and how I could not set out for Gaul while I was waiting for the garrisons from Rome.

nunc uero quo loco res nostrae sint, iuxta mecum omnês intellegitis.

But now all of you know as well as I do what kind of situation we are in.

exercitus hostium duo, unus ab urbe, alter a Gallia obstant;

Two enemy armies, one from Rome, the other from Gaul, are blocking us.

diutius in his locis esse, si maxime animus ferat, frumenti atque aliarum rerum egestas prohibet;

The scarcity of grain and other supplies prevent us from staying long in these parts, if we might have a special interest in doing that.

quocumque ire placet, ferro iter aperiendum est.

Wherever we want to go, we have to fight our way there.

quapropter uos moneo, uti forti atque parato animo sitis et, cum proelium inibitis, memineritis uos diuitias, decus, gloriam, praeterea libertatem atque patriam in dextris uestris portare.

For that reason, I am urging you to be brave and ready and when you go into battle, remember that in your right hands you are carrying wealth, honor, glory, and besides that, your liberty and your country.

si uincimus, omnia nobis tuta erunt: commeatus abunde, municipia atque coloniae patebunt; si metu cesserimus, eadem illa aduersa fient, neque locus neque amicus quisquam teget quem arma non texerint.

If we win, everything will be securely ours: supplies in abundance, free towns and colonies will lie open to us. If we back away because of our fear, those very things will stand against us. No place, no friend will protect the one whom his weapons have not protected.

praeterea, milites, non eadem nobis et illis necessitudo impendet: nos pro patria, pro libertate, pro uita certamus; illis superuacuaneum est pugnare pro potentiâ paucorum.

Besides, soldiers, the necessity that hangs over us is different from theirs: we are struggling for our country, for freedom, for life. They have absolutely no need to fight for the power of a few.

quo audacius aggredimini memores pristinae uirtutis.

So the more boldly should you attack, remembering your old courage.

licuit uobis cum summa turpitudine in exilio aetatem agere, potuistis nonnulli Romae, amissis bonis, alienas opes expectare:

You could well have spent your lives in exile in a state of utter disgrace; some of you, after losing your property at Rome, could have looked to others to support you.

quia illa foeda atque intoleranda uiris uidebantur, haec sequi decreuistis.

But since those options seemed repulsive and intolerable to men, you have decided to pursue this path.

si haec relinquere uultis, audaciâ opus est: nemo nisi uictor pace bellum mutauit.

If you wish to leave it behind, you have need of daring: no one but a victor exchanges war for peace.

nam in fuga salutem sperare, cum arma, quibus corpus tegitur, ab hostibus auerteris, ea uero dementia est.

Hoping for safety in flight, when you have turned the armor that covers your bodies away from the enemy, that is real madness.

semper in proelio iis maximum est periculum, qui maxime timent: audacia pro muro habetur.

In battle, the danger is always worst for those who have the worst fear: boldness acts like a wall.

cum uos considero, milites, et cum facta uestra aestimo, magna me spes uictoriae tenet.

When I look at you soldiers, and when I weigh your accomplishments, I am gripped by a powerful expectation of victory.

animus, aetas, uirtus uestra me hortantur, praeterea necessitudo, quae etiam timidos fortîs facit.

Your spirit, your youth, your courage urge me on, and so does necessity, which makes even timid men brave.

nam multitudo hostium ne circumuenire queat, prohibent angustiae loci.

The large numbers of the enemy cannot surround us: the narrowness of the place prevents it.

quod si uirtuti uestrae fortuna inuiderit, cauete inulti animam amittatis, neu capti potius sicuti pecora trucidemini, quam uirorum more pugnantes cruentam atque luctuosam uictoriam hostibus relinquatis.'

But if fortune maliciously hold your courage against you, take care that you do not die unavenged, and do not be taken and slaughtered like cattle; rather fight like men and leave the enemy a victory drenched in blood and filled with grief."

LIX

LIX

haec ubi dixit, paululum commoratus signa canere iubet atque instructos ordines in locum aequum deducit.

When he said this, after a short delay, he had the trumpet sound and he led the troop formations down to a level field.

dein remotis omnium equis, quo militibus, exaequato periculo, animus amplior esset, ipse pedes exercitum pro loco atque copiis instruit.

Then, removing all the horses to bolster the soldiers' confidence by making the risk equal for everybody, he himself on foot arranged the army according to the terrain and personnel.

nam, uti planities erat inter sinistros montîs et ab dextra rupe aspera, octo cohortîs in fronte constituit, reliquarum signa in subsidio artius collocat.

For since the plain lay between the mountains on the left and rough rocky ground on the right, he put eight cohorts in front, and positioned the standards of the rest tightly together as a reserve.

ab eis centuriones, omnîs lectos et euocatos, praeterea, ex gregariis militibus, optimum quemque armatum in primam aciem subducit.

From these, he put the centurions, all of them carefully selected and re-enlisted men, in the front line, along with the best of the ordinary soldiers.

C.~Manlium in dextra, Faesulanum quendam in sinistra parte curare iubet.

He ordered Gaius Manlius to take care of the right side and a certain Faesulan to take care of the left.

ipse cum libertis et colonis propter aquilam assistit, quam bello Cimbrico C.~Marius in exercitu habuisse dicebatur.

He himself with the freedmen and colonists stood at the standard which Gaius Marius was said to have carried in the Cimbrian war.

at ex altera parte C.~Antonius, pedibus aeger quod proelio adesse nequibat, M.~Petreio legato exercitum permittit.

But on the other side, Gaius Antonius, because he could not be present for the battle because of an ailment in his feet, assigned charge of the army to Marcus Petreius.

ille cohortîs ueteranas, quas tumulti causâ conscripserat, in fronte, post eas ceterum exercitum in subsidiis locat.

In front he positioned the veteran cohorts, which he had enlisted to handle the disturbance, and behind them he put the rest of the army as a reserve.

ipse equo circumiens unum quemque nominans appellat, hortatur, rogat, ut meminerint se contra latrones inermîs pro patria, pro liberis, pro aris atque focis suis certare.

He himself, riding around on his horse called each one by name, encouraged them, and asked them to remember that they were fighting against unequipped thieves for their country, their children, their hearths and homes.

homo militaris, quod amplius annos triginta tribunus aut praefectus aut legatus aut praetor cum magnâ gloriâ in exercitu fuerat, plerosque ipsos factaque eorum fortia nouerat: ea commemorando militum animos accendebat.

Because he had more than thirty years of distinguished service in the military as a tribune, a prefect, an envoy, or a praetor, he knew very many of them and their brave exploits. By recalling them, he roused the soldiers' spirits.

LX

LX

sed ubi, omnibus rebus exploratis, Petreius tubâ signum dat, cohortîs paulatim incedere iubet; idem facit hostium exercitus.

When he knew how everything stood, Petreius sounded the trumpet and ordered the cohorts to advance little by little; the enemy army did the same.

postquam eo uentum est, unde a ferentariis proelium committi posset, maximo clamore cum infestis signis concurrunt;

After they reached the point where the skirmishers could start the fight, they rush at one another and join battle.

pila omittunt, gladiis res geritur.

They leave aside the pikes and go right to using their swords.

ueterani pristinae uirtutis memores comminus acriter instare, illi haud timidi resistunt: maxima ui certatur.

The veterans, remembering their old courage, press on in fierce determination; they meet with brave resistance. They fight it out with full force.

interea Catilina cum expeditis in prima acie uersari, laborantibus succurrere, integros pro sauciis arcessere, omnia prouidere, multum ipse pugnare, saepe hostem ferire:

Meanwhile Catiline spends his time on the front line with the light-armored troops, helping those who are having trouble, calling the uninjured to assist the wounded. He was taking thought for everything, doing a good bit of fighting himself and often striking the enemy.

strenui militis et boni imperatoris officia simul exsequebatur.

He was simultaneously carrying out the duties of a valiant soldier and a good commander.

Petreius ubi uidet Catilinam, contra ac ratus erat, magna ui tendere, cohortem praetoriam in medios hostîs inducit eosque perturbatos atque alios alibi resistentîs interficit.

When Petreius saw that Catiline, contrary to his expectations, was putting up a tremendous fight, he led the praetorian cohort into the middle of the enemy. After he disrupted their ranks, he killed them and others who were putting up a resistance in different places.

deinde utrimque ex lateribus ceteros aggreditur.

Then he attacked the rest from both sides.

Manlius et Faesulanus in primis pugnantes cadunt.

Manlius and the Faesulan fell fighting on the front lines.

Catilina postquam fusas copias seque cum paucis relicuum uidet, memor generis atque pristinae suae dignitatis in confertissimos hostîs incurrit ibique pugnans confoditur.

Catiline, after he saw that his troops had been broken and that he was left with only a few, mindful of his family and his old high rank, rushed into the thickest part of the battle and fighting there, was stabbed.

LXI

LXI

sed confecto proelio, tum uero cerneres, quanta audacia quantaque animi uis fuisset in exercitu Catilinae.

When the battle was over, then you could really see how bold and relentless Catiline's army had been.

nam fere quem quisque uiuus pugnando locum ceperat, eum amissâ animâ corpore tegebat.

In practically every case, the place that anyone had taken in the fight when alive was the same one that his body covered when he died.

pauci autem, quos medios cohors praetoria disiecerat, paulo diuersius, sed omnes tamen aduersis uulneribus conciderant.

But there were a few that the praetorian cohort had scattered from the middle. These had been pushed away in different directions, but they had all fallen with wounds in the front.

Catilina uero longe a suis inter hostium cadauera repertus est paululum etiam spirans ferociamque animi, quam habuerat uiuus, in uultu retinens.

But Catiline was discovered a long way from his own, among the bodies of his enemy, still breathing and keeping on his face the same fierce expression that he had during his life.

postremo ex omni copia neque in proelio neque in fuga quisquam ciuis ingenuus captus est: ita cuncti suae hostiumque uitae iuxta pepercerant.

Finally, out of the whole army, not one free-born citizen was captured in the battle or in flight: they were not less sparing of their own lives than of those of their enemy.

neque tamen exercitus populi Romani laetam aut incruentam uictoriam adeptus erat.

Nor did the army of the Roman people win a happy or unbloody victory.

nam strenuissimus quisque aut occiderat in proelio aut grauiter uulneratus discesserat.

For the most valiant men had either died in battle or had left it seriously wounded.

multi autem, qui e castris uisendi aut spoliandi gratiâ processerant, uoluentes hostilia cadauera amicum alii, pars hospitem aut cognatum reperiebant;

Many who had come out of the camp to see the scene or to pick up some spoils, turned over the enemy bodies only to discover their friends or good acquaintances or relatives.

fuêre item qui inimicos suos cognoscerent.

And likewise some recognized their own enemies.

ita uarie per omnem exercitum laetitia, maeror, luctus atque gaudia agitabantur.

And so through the whole army, people were going through different emotions — happiness, sadness, grief, and joy.