Catiline's Corruption

It can be argued that one of the causes of the decline of the Roman Empire was an increase in corruption due to greed. The aftermath of Sulla’s proscriptions, the many battles Rome had endured as well as economic turmoil all contributed to Rome’s decline. Catiline sought to heal Rome of its troubles through violent means. Catiline and his supporters conspired to overthrow the consuls, assassinate other government officials and burn the city. Though the conspiracy was stopped before it could properly begin, it revealed exactly how corrupt Rome had become.
Lucius Sergius Catilina, known as Catiline, came from a wealthy and prestigious Patrician family. He had hoped to restore his family’s honor by having a prominent career in politics. His …show more content…
His platform was based off all the troubles that Rome currently faced such as the debt crisis and land displacement. He stressed a cancellation of debt which gave him the support of men deep in financial struggles and debt. In October, Catiline’s conspiracy was discovered after Crassus brought Cicero letters warning him that a plot was brewing and to leave the city. Catiline’s plot was to assassinate several government officials and burn the city. Afterwards, he and his men would return to take control of Rome. Prior to these letters, Cicero had little proof of Catiline’s conspiracy. Fulvia, the mistress of one of Catiline’s conspirators, was an informant at a secret meeting between Catiline and his conspirators, discussing their plot. This was dismissed as merely rumors by the Senate. Cicero took these letters to the Senate. Upon hearing them, the Senate issued the Senatus Consultum Ultimum, which issued martial law and gave consuls absolute power. Catiline and his ally, Manlius were declared public enemies of the state. Conspirators were arrested after the Allobroges of Gaul approached the Senate. The Allobroges stated that conspirators urged them to join their cause against Rome and told Cicero everything they knew. Cicero used the power given to him by the Senate to execute the five conspirators without a trial. Catiline and the rest of his army tried to …show more content…
Rome was suffering. There were people starving, unemployed and drowning in debt. Catiline and his supporters were willing to turn to anarchy and chaos, believing this will give them what they wanted. Their plot demonstrates how toxic and immoral men had become. Catiline and his men merely wanted money and power. They were willing to take any measure necessary and destroy their own city as well as kill their fellow citizens to succumb to their own vices. After the proof of the plot was revealed, the Senate acted to stop his conspiracy before it transpired, saving Rome from