Catiline

Lucius Sergius Catilina was a Roman politician and soldier. He is most famous for the Catilinarian conspiracy. This was a failed attempt to seize control of the Roman state in 63 BC. Catiline was born into an ancient patrician family called the gens Sergia. This family claimed descent from Sergestus, a Trojan companion of Aeneas. While his family was noble, his father was poor by aristocratic standards. Catiline was likely born no later than 108 BC.

Catiline built his wealth through military service and political connections. He served under Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo during the Social War. Later, he joined the Sullan faction during the civil war in 82 BC. He served as a lieutenant during this conflict. Many ancient sources claim he grew wealthy during the Sullan proscriptions. Proscriptions were periods where the state published lists of enemies. Catiline likely profited by purchasing estates for much less than their true value. Some accounts even claim he killed family members to gain wealth. Modern historians debate these specific claims of violence.

His political career included several important roles in the Roman Republic. He served as a praetor, which was a high-ranking magistrate. He also served as the governor of Africa from 67 to 66 BC. Upon returning to Rome, he faced legal challenges. Some people accused him of corruption and mismanagement in Africa. He also faced charges regarding his actions during the Sullan era. Despite these serious accusations, Catiline was acquitted in court. Many influential former consuls spoke in his defense to help him win.

Catiline made several attempts to reach the consulship. The consulship was the highest office in the Roman government. In 64 BC, he ran for the position with the help of Caesar and Crassus. He used large bribes to influence the voters.

During this time, candidates often gave out food to gain goodwill. This practice was common in Roman elections. Despite his wealth and supporters, Catiline was defeated. Gaius Julius Caesar was the president of the standing court on assassinations that year. This political environment made it harder for Catiline to succeed through legal means.

After his electoral defeat, Catiline turned to a secret plan. This was the Catilinarian conspiracy of 63 BC. He sought to take the consulship by force instead of by vote. He gathered a diverse group of supporters for this coup. His followers included poor rural plebs and Sullan veterans. He also recruited senators whose political careers had stopped growing. This group planned armed uprisings in the region of Etruria. The goal was to overthrow the existing government structure.

The conspiracy was discovered before it could succeed. A man named Crassus revealed the plot to the consul, Cicero. This information was shared in October 63 BC. However, it took until November for evidence of Catiline's direct involvement to emerge. Once he was discovered, Catiline fled the city of Rome. He went to join his rebel army in the field.

He hoped to lead his movement from outside the city walls.

The rebellion ended at the Battle of Pistoria in early January 62 BC. Catiline led his rebel army against the Roman republican forces. The battle was a disaster for the conspirators. The rebel army was completely annihilated by the state forces. Catiline was killed during the fighting.

His death marked the end of the violent attempt to seize power.

Catiline's legacy remained significant in Roman history. His name became a symbol for doomed and treasonous rebellion. The historian Sallust wrote about the event in his work, Bellum Catilinae. Sallust described Catiline as a symbol of the moral decline of the Roman Republic. He characterized Catiline as having a "ravaged mind," or vastus animus. This suggests that Catiline was both a cause and a victim of the era's instability. His life illustrates the intense political struggles of the late Republic.