The Rewards of Treachery

Cicero warns those who seek power through civic unrest that they will never be the beneficiaries of it.

63 BC

Introduction

In 63 BC, Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) accused Lucius Sergius Catilina of scheming to overthrow the Republic. In exposing the plot, he warned the Senate against five kinds of political troublemaker, including those who stir up ill-feeling and violence at home, hoping to be the beneficiaries of it.

by Marcus Tullius Cicero 106-43 BC

Marcus Tullius Freely translated from the Latin

MEN of another class, though crushed by debt, still expect to rule, still covet political power, nursing a hope that public unrest might bring honours they could never dream of in untroubled times.

Let it be clear to one and all, right now, that their quest is hopeless.

First of all, I am here, watching over and providing for the republic. Then, there is great heart and absolute single-mindedness among a huge majority of decent people, besides a substantial body of troops. Finally, there are immortal gods to bring help to this unconquerable people, this shining realm, this most beautiful city, against any wicked plot.

And even if these utter madmen had what they want in their wicked, criminal hearts, would they still hope that from the ashes of the city or the blood of the citizens they will rise up consuls, dictators, even kings? Do they not see that everything they covet will have to be given up to some runaway slave, or a gladiator?*

by Marcus Tullius Cicero 106-43 BC

Marcus Tullius Freely translated from the Latin

Freely translated from the Latin at Perseus Project (ed. Albert Clark). Another English translation can be found at the Perseus Project (by Charlotte Yonge).

A runaway slave was liable to the death penalty (which is why St Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon), so was very desperate and had nothing to lose. A gladiator had wealth, celebrity status and a streak of cruelty, an ideal post-revolutionary leader.

Précis

In 63 BC, Cicero used a speech to the Senate to address the kind of political meddler who thinks civic unrest might give him his big chance. Cicero reminded such men of his own vigilance, and that of the people and the gods, and cautioned them that some obscure but deperate opportunist always emerges, and takes power for himself.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

What does this second class of political troublemakers dream of?

Suggestion

Gaining power by stirring up civic unrest.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Certain Romans could not get elected. They still hoped to win political power. They stirred up unrest.