Cicero Against Catiline Analysis

Sallust discusses power in the preface of The Conspiracy of Catiline, he states that power can come from the mind or the body, but he makes the argument that the power of the mind is more resilient than the power of the body (Sal.Cat.pre.1.12-14). Bodily power is strength and might, while the power of the mind involves mental prowess and knowledge. He uses the example of war and says that in the beginning there was a focus on physical power rather than knowledge through strategizing, but after nations began warring and forcing other peoples to be their subjects there was a realization that “in war the intellect had the most potent power” (pre.2.13). He reflects on his early interest in, and the rampant corruption in politics due to “lust and pride” present in Rome (pre.2.22 see also pre.3.16-19), and makes the declaration that if the same mental knowledge used in war was also used when it peace time than there would be “more justice and stability” (pre.2.15-20). This is significant because …show more content…
Cicero is the main source of the allegations against Catiline. Throughout Cicero’s speech he is very obnoxious displaying exaggerated self-promotion (Cic.Cat.7-10). He acts as a glory hound and wants credit for saving himself and Rome from destruction under Catiline (11-12). In his speech he is very possessive of the state of Roman affairs both publicly and personally. He depicts Catiline as a traitor worthy of death (2.10). Throughout his speech he uses Praeteritio, making references toward and mentioning things he declares he will not speak about (14.1). Cicero’s style is to present accusations in a vague way so that you can fill in the blanks with assumptions without explicitly stating what he is speaking about. Cicero gets a senatus consultum ultimum from the senate (4.14) but condemns the other consuls for not acting against Catiline (2.1 see also