The Conspiracy of Catiline

But after the news reached the camp that the conspiracy had been disclosed at Rome and that punishment had been inflicted on Lentulus, Cethegus, and the others whom I mentioned above, most of those whom the hope of plunder or the desire for revolution had enticed to the war slipped away; Catiline led the rest by forced marches through rugged mountains into the territory of Pistoria, with the intention of escaping secretly by mountain paths into Transalpine Gaul. But Quintus Metellus Celer was stationed with three legions in the Picenian territory, estimating from the difficulty of the situation that Catiline was contemplating those very same things which we mentioned above. Therefore, when he learned of his route from deserters, he quickly moved camp and took up a position at the very foot of the mountains, where Catiline would have to descend in his haste to Gaul. Nor indeed was Antonius far away, inasmuch as he was pursuing them in their flight with a large army, unencumbered, through more level regions. But Catiline, after he saw himself enclosed by the mountains and the forces of the enemy, his affairs in the city ruined, and no hope of flight or assistance remaining, thinking it best in such a situation to try the fortune of war, resolved to engage with Antonius as soon as possible. Therefore, having called an assembly, he delivered a speech of this kind:

’I am well aware, soldiers, that words do not add courage, and that an army is not made active instead of slothful, or brave instead of cowardly, by a speech of its commander. Whatever amount of daring is in each man’s mind by nature or by character, that much is accustomed to show itself in war. You would urge in vain him whom neither glory nor dangers excite; the fear in his mind obstructs his ears. But I have called you together to advise you on a few points, and at the same time to explain the reason of my plan. You know indeed, soldiers, how great a disaster the negligence and sloth of Lentulus brought upon himself and us, and in what manner, while I was waiting for reinforcements from the city, I was unable to set out for Gaul. But now, in what condition our affairs are, you all understand as well as I. Two armies of the enemy, one from the city, the other from Gaul, oppose us; to remain longer in these places, even if our minds most wish it, the lack of corn and other supplies prevents; wherever it pleases us to go, a path must be opened by the sword. Therefore I advise you to be of a brave and ready mind and, when you enter the battle, to remember that you carry riches, honor, glory, and moreover liberty and your country in your right hands. If we conquer, all things will be safe for us: supplies in abundance, municipal towns and colonies will lie open; if we give way through fear, those very same things will become adverse, and neither place nor any friend will protect him whom arms have not protected. Furthermore, soldiers, the same necessity does not impend over us and them: we fight for our country, for liberty, for life; for them it is superfluous to fight for the power of a few. Therefore, go to the attack more boldly, mindful of your pristine virtue. You might have spent your life in exile with the utmost disgrace, some of you might have expected at Rome, after losing your property, the wealth of others: because those things seemed foul and intolerable to men, you resolved to follow these courses. If you wish to abandon these, you have need of daring: no one except a victor has exchanged war for peace. For to hope for safety in flight, when you have turned away from the enemy the arms with which your body is protected, that indeed is madness. Always in battle the danger is greatest to those who fear most; daring is held as a wall. When I look at you, soldiers, and when I estimate your deeds, a great hope of victory holds me. Your mind, age, and virtue encourage me, and moreover necessity, which makes even the timid brave. For the narrowness of the place prevents the multitude of the enemy from being able to surround us. But if fortune should grudge your virtue, take care that you do not lose your life unavenged, nor be slaughtered like cattle after being captured, rather than, fighting in the manner of men, leave a bloody and mournful victory to the enemy.’