Catiline

Lucius Sergius Catilina (108 BC – 62 BC), known in English as Catiline, was a Roman patrician, soldier and senator of the 1st century BC best known for the second Catilinarian conspiracy, an attempt to overthrow the Roman Republic and, in particular, the power of the aristocratic Senate. He is also known for several acquittals in court, including one for the charge of adultery with a Vestal Virgin.

Agreement in likes and dislikes—this, and this only, is what constitutes true friendship.

Quotes

• Idem velle atque idem nolle, ea demum firma amicitia est.
  • Agreement in likes and dislikes—this, and this only, is what constitutes true friendship.
  • As quoted by Sallust (86 BC – c. 35 BC) in Catiline's War, Book XX, pt. 4 (trans. J. C. Rolfe)
  • Variant translations:
    • To like and dislike the same things, that is indeed true friendship.
    • To like the same things and to dislike the same things, only this is a strong friendship.

• Nonne emori per virtutem praestat quam vitam miseram atque inhonestam, ubi alienae superbiae ludibrio fueris, per dedecus amittere?
  • Is it not better to die valiantly, than ignominiously to lose our wretched and dishonoured lives after being the sport of others’ insolence?
  • Quoted in Sallust, Catiline's War, Book XX, pt. 9 (trans. J. C. Rolfe)
  • Variant translation:
    • Is it not better to die in a glorious attempt, than, after having been the sport of other men's insolence, to resign a wretched and degraded existence with ignominy?

Quotes about Catiline

Catiline was found, far in advance of his men, among the dead bodies of the enemy; a most glorious death, had he thus fallen for his country. ~ Florus

• Quo usque tandem abutere, Catilina, patientia nostra? Quam diu etiam furor iste tuus nos eludet? Quem ad finem sese effrenata iactabit audacia?
  • When, O Catiline, do you mean to cease abusing our patience? How long is that madness of yours still to mock us? When is there to be an end of that unbridled audacity of yours, swaggering about as it does now?
    • Cicero, In Catilinam I - Against Catilina, Speech One (63 B.C)
  • Variant translations:
    • How long, Catiline, will you abuse our patience?
    • To what length will you abuse our patience, Catiline?
    • In heaven's name, Catiline, how long will you abuse our patience?

• He was intimate with many thoroughly wicked men; but he pretended to be entirely devoted to the most virtuous of the citizens. He had many things about him which served to allure men to the gratification of their passions; he had also many things which acted as incentives to industry and toil. The vices of lust raged in him; but at the same time he was conspicuous for great energy and military skill. Nor do I believe that there ever existed so strange a prodigy upon the earth, made up in such a manner of the most various, and different and inconsistent studies and desires.
  • Cicero, The speech of M. T. Cicero in defence of Marcus Caelius, ch. 5; in The orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, Vol. 3 (1852), p. 251

• Catiline was found, far in advance of his men, among the dead bodies of the enemy; a most glorious death, had he thus fallen for his country.
  • Florus (c. 74 AD – c. 130 AD), Epitome of Roman History, 'The Insurrection of Catiline' (trans. J. S. Watson)

• Even in youth Catiline had many shameful intrigues—with a maiden of noble rank, with a priestess of Vesta—and other affairs equally unlawful and impious.
  • Sallust, Catiline's War, Book XV, pt. 1 (trans. J. C. Rolfe)

• When the battle was ended it became evident what boldness and resolution had pervaded Catiline’s army. For almost every man covered with his body, when life was gone, the position which he had taken when alive at the beginning of the conflict. A few, indeed, in the centre, whom the praetorian cohort had scattered, lay a little apart from the rest, but the wounds even of these were in front. But Catiline was found far in advance of his men amid a heap of slain foemen, still breathing slightly, and showing in his face the indomitable spirit which had animated him when alive.
  • Sallust, Catiline's War, Book LXI, pt. 4 (trans. J. C. Rolfe)