Cicero: In Catilinam III – Latin-English Interlinear Edition

1.

Rem publicam, Quirites, vitamque omnium vestrum, bona, fortunas, coniuges liberosque vestros atque hoc domicilium clarissimi imperi, fortunatissimam pulcherrimamque urbem, hodierno die deorum immortalium summo erga vos amore, laboribus, consiliis, periculis meis e flamma atque ferro ac paene ex faucibus fati ereptam et vobis conservatam ac restitutam videtis. 

Citizens, you see the republic, the lives of all of you, your property, your fortunes, your wives and children, and this home of the most glorious empire—this most fortunate and beautiful city—rescued today from fire and sword, and almost from the jaws of death, by the supreme love of the immortal gods for you, and by my labors, counsels, and dangers, preserved and restored to you. 

Et si non minus nobis iucundi atque inlustres sunt ei dies quibus conservamur quam illi quibus nascimur, quod salutis certa laetitia est, nascendi incerta condicio et quod sine sensu nascimur, cum voluptate servamur, profecto, quoniam illum qui hanc urbem condidit ad deos immortalis benivolentia famaque sustulimus, esse apud vos posterosque vestros in honore debebit is qui eandem hanc urbem conditam amplificatamque servavit. 

And if the days on which we are preserved are no less welcome and glorious than those on which we are born—since safety brings certain joy, while birth is an uncertain condition, and because we are born without sensation, but saved with delight—then surely, since we have raised to the immortal gods by our goodwill and praise the founder of this city, he who has preserved this same city, already founded and enlarged, ought to be honored among you and your descendants. 

Nam toti urbi, templis, delubris, tectis ac moenibus subiectos prope iam ignis circumdatosque restinximus, idemque gladios in rem publicam destrictos rettudimus mucronesque eorum a iugulis vestris deiecimus. 

For we have extinguished fires already laid beneath and around the entire city—its temples, shrines, roofs, and walls—and we have turned back the swords drawn against the republic and struck their blades away from your throats. 

Quae quoniam in senatu inlustrata, patefacta, comperta sunt per me, vobis iam exponam breviter ut et quanta et quam manifesta et qua ratione investigata et comprehensa sint vos qui et ignoratis et exspectatis scire possitis. 

Since these things have been brought to light, exposed, and uncovered by me in the Senate, I will now explain them to you briefly—so that you who are unaware and waiting to hear may know both how great, how clear, and by what means they were discovered and exposed. 

Principio, ut Catilina paucis ante diebus erupit ex urbe, cum sceleris sui socios huiusce nefarii belli acerrimos duces Romae reliquisset, semper vigilavi et providi, Quirites, quem ad modum in tantis et tam absconditis insidiis salvi esse possemus. 

First of all, when Catiline fled the city a few days ago, having left behind in Rome the most zealous leaders of this wicked war, his partners in crime, I remained ever watchful and foresaw, citizens, how we might survive amid such great and hidden dangers.

2.

Nam tum cum ex urbe Catilinam eiciebam – non enim iam vereor huius verbi invidiam, cum illa magis sit timenda, quod vivus exierit –, sed tum cum illum exterminari volebam, aut reliquam coniuratorum manum simul exituram aut eos qui restitissent infirmos sine illo ac debilis fore putabam. 

For when I was driving Catiline out of the city—for I no longer fear the unpopularity of that word, since what is truly to be feared is that he departed alive—at that time, when I wanted to banish him, I thought that either the rest of the conspirators would leave with him, or that those who remained would be weak and powerless without him. 

Atque ego, ut vidi, quos maximo furore et scelere esse inflammatos sciebam, eos nobiscum esse et Romae remansisse, in eo omnis dies noctesque consumpsi ut quid agerent, quid molirentur sentirem ac viderem, ut, quoniam auribus vestris propter incredibilem magnitudinem sceleris minorem fidem faceret oratio mea, rem ita comprehenderem ut tum demum animis saluti vestrae provideretis cum oculis maleficium ipsum videretis. 

And when I saw that those whom I knew were inflamed with the greatest madness and crime had remained here with us in Rome, I spent every day and night to know and observe what they were doing, what they were planning—so that, since the sheer enormity of their crime made my words less credible to your ears, I might handle the case in such a way that you would only take thought for your safety when you saw the crime itself with your own eyes. 

Itaque ut comperi legatos Allobrogum belli Transalpini et tumultus Gallici excitandi causa a P. Lentulo esse sollicitatos, eosque in Galliam ad suos civis eodemque itinere cum litteris mandatisque ad Catilinam esse missos, comitemque eis adiunctum esse T. Volturcium, atque huic esse ad Catilinam datas litteras, facultatem mihi oblatam putavi ut, quod erat difficillimum quodque ego semper optabam ab dis immortalibus, tota res non solum a me sed etiam a senatu et a vobis manifesto deprenderetur. 

So, when I discovered that the ambassadors of the Allobroges had been approached by Publius Lentulus to raise a Transalpine war and stir up a Gallic uprising—and that they had been sent to Gaul to their fellow citizens, with letters and instructions to Catiline by the same route—and that Titus Volturcius had been added as their companion, and had also received letters for Catiline, I thought that a chance had been given me—something most difficult and something I had always prayed to the immortal gods for—that the whole conspiracy might be plainly detected not only by me, but by the Senate and by you. 

Itaque hesterno die L. Flaccum et C. Pomptinum praetores, fortissimos atque amantissimos rei publicae viros, ad me vocavi, rem exposui, quid fieri placeret ostendi. 

So yesterday I summoned Lucius Flaccus and Gaius Pomptinus, praetors—most courageous men and most devoted to the republic—I laid out the matter and showed what I thought should be done. 

Illi autem, qui omnia de re publica praeclara atque egregia sentirent, sine recusatione ac sine ulla mora negotium susceperunt et, cum advesperasceret, occulte ad pontem Mulvium pervenerunt atque ibi in proximis villis ita bipertito fuerunt ut Tiberis inter eos et pons interesset. 

They, who held the noblest and most excellent views on all matters of the republic, took on the task without objection or delay, and, as night began to fall, they secretly arrived at the Mulvian Bridge and positioned themselves in nearby villas on both sides of the Tiber, with the river and the bridge lying between them. 

Eodem autem et ipsi sine cuiusquam suspicione multos fortis viros eduxerant, et ego ex praefectura Reatina compluris delectos adulescentis quorum opera utor adsidue in rei publicae praesidio cum gladiis miseram. 

They too had quietly brought many brave men without raising suspicion, and I had sent from the Reatine prefecture several selected young men, whose service I regularly employ for the defense of the republic, all armed with swords. 

Interim tertia fere vigilia exacta, cum iam pontem Mulvium magno comitatu legati Allobroges ingredi inciperent unaque Volturcius, fit in eos impetus; ducuntur et ab illis gladii et a nostris. 

Meanwhile, when about the third watch had passed, and the Allobrogian ambassadors with a large escort, along with Volturcius, began to enter the Mulvian Bridge, they were attacked; swords were drawn both by them and by our men. 

Res praetoribus erat nota solis, ignorabatur a ceteris. 

The affair was known only to the praetors; the others were unaware of it.

3.

Tum interventu Pomptini atque Flacci pugna quae erat commissa sedatur. 

Then, by the intervention of Pomptinus and Flaccus, the fight that had broken out was stopped. 

Litterae quaecumque erant in eo comitatu integris signis praetoribus traduntur; ipsi comprehensi ad me, cum iam dilucesceret, deducuntur. 

Whatever letters were in that company, with their seals intact, were handed over to the praetors; the men themselves, arrested, were brought to me as day was breaking. 

Atque horum omnium scelerum improbissimum machinatorem, Cimbrum Gabinium, statim ad me nihil dum suspicantem vocavi; deinde item arcessitus est L. Statilius et post eum Cethegus; tardissime autem Lentulus venit, credo quod in litteris dandis praeter consuetudinem proxima nocte vigilarat. 

And I immediately summoned the most shameless plotter of all these crimes, Cimber Gabinius, who still suspected nothing; then Lucius Statilius was likewise summoned, and after him Cethegus; Lentulus arrived last—perhaps because, contrary to his custom, he had stayed up the previous night preparing letters. 

Cum summis et clarissimis huius civitatis viris qui audita re frequentes ad me mane convenerant litteras a me prius aperiri quam ad senatum deferri placeret, ne, si nihil esset inventum, temere a me tantus tumultus iniectus civitati videretur, negavi me esse facturum ut de periculo publico non ad consilium publicum rem integram deferrem. 

When it was the wish of the foremost and most distinguished men of the state—who had gathered in large numbers at my house that morning upon hearing the news—that I open the letters myself before referring them to the Senate, I refused, lest, if nothing were found, it might seem that I had caused a great panic in the state without justification; I said I would bring the entire matter before a public council, as was proper. 

Etenim, Quirites, si ea quae erant ad me delata reperta non essent, tamen ego non arbitrabar in tantis rei publicae periculis esse mihi nimiam diligentiam pertimescendam. 

Indeed, citizens, even if what had been reported to me had not been confirmed, I still believed that in so grave a danger to the republic, excessive caution on my part should not be feared. 

Senatum frequentem celeriter, ut vidistis, coegi. 

I quickly convened a full Senate, as you saw. 

Atque interea statim admonitu Allobrogum C. Sulpicium praetorem, fortem virum, misi qui ex aedibus Cethegi si quid telorum esset efferret; ex quibus ille maximum sicarum numerum et gladiorum extulit. 

Meanwhile, at the immediate suggestion of the Allobroges, I sent Gaius Sulpicius the praetor, a brave man, to search Cethegus’s house and bring out any weapons found there; and from it he brought forth an enormous number of daggers and swords. 

4.

Introduxi Volturcium sine Gallis; fidem publicam iussu senatus dedi; hortatus sum ut ea quae sciret sine timore indicaret. 

I brought in Volturcius without the Gauls; by order of the Senate I gave him a public pledge of safety, and I urged him to state without fear what he knew. 

Tum ille dixit, cum vix se ex magno timore recreasset, a P. Lentulo se habere ad Catilinam mandata et litteras ut servorum praesidio uteretur, ut ad urbem quam primum cum exercitu accederet; id autem eo consilio ut, cum urbem ex omnibus partibus quem ad modum descriptum distributumque erat incendissent caedemque infinitam civium fecissent, praesto esset ille qui et fugientis exciperet et se cum his urbanis ducibus coniungeret. 

Then, after barely recovering from his great fear, he said that he had received orders and letters from Publius Lentulus for Catiline, instructing him to use a force of slaves and approach the city with an army as soon as possible; this was so that, once they had set fire to the city from all sides—as had been planned and assigned—and committed a wholesale slaughter of citizens, Catiline would be on hand to intercept the fugitives and join with these urban leaders. 

Introducti autem Galli ius iurandum sibi et litteras a P. Lentulo, Cethego, Statilio ad suam gentem datas esse dixerunt, atque ita sibi ab his et a L. Cassio esse praescriptum ut equitatum in Italiam quam primum mitterent; pedestris sibi copias non defuturas. 

The Gauls, when brought in, said that they had received an oath and letters from Publius Lentulus, Cethegus, and Statilius addressed to their tribe, and that they had been instructed by these men and by Lucius Cassius to send cavalry into Italy as soon as possible; they had been assured that infantry forces would not be lacking. 

Lentulum autem sibi confirmasse ex fatis Sibyllinis haruspicumque responsis se esse tertium illum Cornelium ad quem regnum huius urbis atque imperium pervenire esset necesse: Cinnam ante se et Sullam fuisse. 

They said Lentulus had affirmed to them—based on the Sibylline books and the responses of the soothsayers—that he was the third Cornelius to whom the kingship and power of this city must pass: that Cinna and Sulla had preceded him. 

Eundemque dixisse fatalem hunc annum esse ad interitum huius urbis atque imperii qui esset annus decimus post virginum absolutionem, post Capitoli autem incensionem vicesimus. 

He had also said that this year was fated for the destruction of this city and empire, being the tenth since the acquittal of the Vestal Virgins and the twentieth since the burning of the Capitol. 

Hanc autem Cethego cum ceteris controversiam fuisse dixerunt quod Lentulo et aliis Saturnalibus caedem fieri atque urbem incendi placeret, Cethego nimium id longum videretur. 

They said that Cethegus had disagreed with the others on this point: while Lentulus and the rest wanted the massacre and burning of the city to take place on the Saturnalia, Cethegus thought the delay was too long.

5.  

Ac ne longum sit, Quirites, tabellas proferri iussimus quae a quoque dicebantur datae. 

And to be brief, citizens, we ordered the tablets said to have been given by each man to be brought forward. 

Primo ostendimus Cethego: signum cognovit. 

First we showed them to Cethegus: he recognized the seal. 

Nos linum incidimus; legimus. 

We cut the string; we read them. 

Erat scriptum ipsius manu Allobrogum senatui et populo sese quae eorum legatis confirmasset facturum esse; orare ut item illi facerent quae sibi eorum legati recepissent. 

It was written in his own hand to the Senate and People of the Allobroges that he would do what he had promised their ambassadors; and he begged them likewise to do what their ambassadors had pledged to him. 

Tum Cethegus, qui paulo ante aliquid tamen de gladiis ac sicis quae apud ipsum erant deprehensa respondisset dixissetque se semper bonorum ferramentorum studiosum fuisse, recitatis litteris debilitatus atque abiectus conscientia repente conticuit. 

Then Cethegus—who a little earlier had offered some explanation about the swords and daggers found at his house, and said he had always been a lover of fine blades—when the letters were read, was suddenly overcome and silenced by guilt. 

Introductus Statilius cognovit et signum et manum suam. 

When Statilius was brought in, he acknowledged both his seal and his handwriting. 

Recitatae sunt tabellae in eandem fere sententiam; confessus est. 

The tablets were read, containing almost the same message; he confessed. 

Tum ostendi tabellas Lentulo et quaesivi cognosceretne signum. 

Then I showed the tablets to Lentulus and asked whether he recognized the seal. 

Adnuit. 

He nodded. 

«Est vero» inquam «notum quidem signum, imago avi tui, clarissimi viri, qui amavit unice patriam et civis suos; quae quidem te a tanto scelere etiam muta revocare debuit.» 

“It is indeed,” I said, “a well-known seal—the image of your grandfather, a most distinguished man, who loved his country and fellow citizens above all else; which, even though silent, ought to have called you back from such a crime.” 

Leguntur eadem ratione ad senatum Allobrogum populumque litterae. 

Letters addressed in the same manner to the Senate and People of the Allobroges were read aloud. 

Si quid de his rebus dicere vellet, feci potestatem. 

I gave him the opportunity to say anything he wished about these matters. 

Atque ille primo quidem negavit; post autem aliquanto, toto iam indicio exposito atque edito, surrexit, quaesivit a Gallis quid sibi esset cum eis, quam ob rem domum suam venissent, itemque a Volturcio. 

At first he denied everything; but after a short time, when the entire case had been laid open and exposed, he stood up and asked the Gauls what dealings he had had with them, why they had come to his house, and asked the same of Volturcius. 

Qui cum illi breviter constanterque respondissent per quem ad eum quotiensque venissent, quaesissentque ab eo nihilne secum esset de fatis Sibyllinis locutus, tum ille subito scelere demens quanta conscientiae vis esset ostendit. 

But when they replied briefly and firmly how often and through whom they had come to him, and asked whether he had said anything to them about the Sibylline prophecies, then he—suddenly deranged by guilt—revealed how powerful conscience can be. 

Nam, cum id posset infitiari, repente praeter opinionem omnium confessus est. 

For although he could have denied it, he suddenly confessed, beyond all expectation. 

Ita eum non modo ingenium illud et dicendi exercitatio qua semper valuit sed etiam propter vim sceleris manifesti atque deprehensi impudentia qua superabat omnis improbitasque defecit. 

Thus, not only did that talent and training in speaking in which he had always excelled fail him, but even the shamelessness by which he surpassed all others and his accustomed wickedness broke down under the weight of clear and proven guilt. 

Volturcius vero subito litteras proferri atque aperiri iubet quas sibi a Lentulo ad Catilinam datas esse dicebat. 

Volturcius, meanwhile, suddenly ordered the letters which he said Lentulus had given him for Catiline to be brought forth and opened. 

Atque ibi vehementissime perturbatus Lentulus tamen et signum et manum suam cognovit. 

And though deeply agitated, Lentulus nevertheless acknowledged both his seal and his handwriting. 

Erant autem sine nomine, sed ita: «quis sim scies ex eo quem ad te misi. cura ut vir sis et cogita quem in locum sis progressus. vide ecquid tibi iam sit necesse et cura ut omnium tibi auxilia adiungas, etiam infimorum.» 

The letter was unsigned, but read: “You will know who I am from the man I’ve sent to you. See that you act like a man and consider how far you have gone. See whether anything is now necessary for you, and take care to enlist everyone’s help, even the lowest.” 

Gabinius deinde introductus, cum primo impudenter respondere coepisset, ad extremum nihil ex eis quae Galli insimulabant negavit. 

Gabinius, then brought in, although at first he answered with brazenness, ultimately denied none of the charges the Gauls had made. 

Ac mihi quidem, Quirites, cum illa certissima visa sunt argumenta atque indicia sceleris, tabellae, signa, manus, denique unius cuiusque confessio, tum multo certiora illa, color, oculi, vultus, taciturnitas. 

And to me, citizens, while the documents—the tablets, seals, handwriting, and the confession of each man—were the clearest evidence of guilt, even more convincing were their color, their eyes, their faces, their silence. 

Sic enim obstupuerant, sic terram intuebantur, sic furtim non numquam inter sese aspiciebant ut non iam ab aliis indicari sed indicare se ipsi viderentur. 

For they were so stunned, so fixed on the ground, and exchanged furtive glances so often, that they no longer seemed to be accused by others, but to accuse themselves.

6.

Indiciis expositis atque editis, Quirites, senatum consului de summa re publica quid fieri placeret. 

When the evidence had been laid out and made public, citizens, I consulted the Senate on what should be done regarding the highest affairs of the state. 

Dictae sunt a principibus acerrimae ac fortissimae sententiae, quas senatus sine ulla varietate est secutus. 

The leading men delivered the sharpest and most courageous opinions, which the Senate adopted without dissent. 

Et quoniam nondum est perscriptum senatus consultum, ex memoria vobis, Quirites, quid senatus censuerit exponam. 

And since the senatorial decree has not yet been formally recorded, I will recount to you from memory, citizens, what the Senate resolved. 

Primum mihi gratiae verbis amplissimis aguntur, quod virtute, consilio, providentia mea res publica maximis periculis sit liberata. 

First, thanks were given to me in the most generous terms, because by my virtue, wisdom, and foresight the republic was delivered from the greatest dangers. 

Deinde L. Flaccus et C. Pomptinus praetores, quod eorum opera forti fidelique usus essem, merito ac iure laudantur. 

Then Lucius Flaccus and Gaius Pomptinus, the praetors, were rightly and justly praised, since I had availed myself of their brave and loyal service. 

Atque etiam viro forti, conlegae meo, laus impertitur, quod eos qui huius coniurationis participes fuissent a suis et a rei publicae consiliis removisset. 

And praise was also given to my brave colleague, because he had excluded from his own counsels and those of the state the men who had taken part in this conspiracy. 

Atque ita censuerunt ut P. Lentulus, cum se praetura abdicasset, in custodiam traderetur; itemque uti C. Cethegus, L. Statilius, P. Gabinius qui omnes praesentes erant in custodiam traderentur; atque idem hoc decretum est in L. Cassium qui sibi procurationem incendendae urbis depoposcerat, in M. Ceparium cui ad sollicitandos pastores Apuliam attributam esse erat indicatum, in P. Furium qui est ex eis colonis quos Faesulas L. Sulla deduxit, in Q. Annium Chilonem qui una cum hoc Furio semper erat in hac Allobrogum sollicitatione versatus, in P. Umbrenum, libertinum hominem, a quo primum Gallos ad Gabinium perductos esse constabat. 

And they resolved that Publius Lentulus, after resigning the praetorship, be taken into custody; likewise, that Gaius Cethegus, Lucius Statilius, and Publius Gabinius, all of whom were present, also be placed in custody; and the same decree was passed concerning Lucius Cassius, who had taken upon himself the task of burning the city; Marcus Ceparius, to whom Apulia had been assigned for stirring up the herdsmen; Publius Furius, one of the colonists whom Lucius Sulla had settled at Faesulae; Quintus Annius Chilo, who had constantly been involved in the negotiations with the Allobroges along with this Furius; and Publius Umbrenus, a freedman, who was first known to have brought the Gauls to Gabinius. 

Atque ea lenitate senatus est usus, Quirites, ut ex tanta coniuratione tantaque hac multitudine domesticorum hostium novem hominum perditissimorum poena re publica conservata reliquorum mentis sanari posse arbitraretur. 

And the Senate showed such leniency, citizens, that out of so great a conspiracy and such a multitude of domestic enemies, by punishing just nine utterly depraved men, it believed the republic had been preserved and the minds of the rest could be restored. 

Atque etiam supplicatio dis immortalibus pro singulari eorum merito meo nomine decreta est, quod mihi primum post hanc urbem conditam togato contigit, et his decreta verbis est : «quod urbem incendiis, caede civis, Italiam bello liberassem.» 

A public thanksgiving to the immortal gods was also decreed in my name for their extraordinary merit—something granted to me first among civilians since the founding of this city—and it was decreed in these words: “because he freed the city from fire, the citizens from slaughter, and Italy from war.” 

Quae supplicatio si cum ceteris supplicationibus conferatur, hoc interest, quod ceterae bene gesta, haec una conservata re publica constituta est. 

If this thanksgiving is compared with others, the difference is this: the others were for successful deeds; this one was decreed for the preservation of the republic. 

Atque illud quod faciendum primum fuit factum atque transactum est. 

And that action which ought to have been taken first has now been done and completed. 

Nam P. Lentulus, quamquam patefactis indiciis, confessionibus suis, iudicio senatus non modo praetoris ius verum etiam civis amiserat, tamen magistratu se abdicavit, ut quae religio C. Mario, clarissimo viro, non fuerat quo minus C. Glauciam de quo nihil nominatim erat decretum praetorem occideret, ea nos religione in privato P. Lentulo puniendo liberaremur. 

For Publius Lentulus, although by the disclosure of evidence, by his own confession, and by the Senate’s judgment he had lost not only the right of a praetor but also of a citizen, nevertheless abdicated his magistracy, so that we might be freed from the religious scruple which had not held back Gaius Marius, that most illustrious man, from executing Gaius Glaucia as praetor, though nothing had been specifically decreed against him—thus freeing us to punish Lentulus as a private citizen.

7.  

Nunc quoniam, Quirites, conscelerati periculosissimique belli nefarios duces captos iam et comprehensos tenetis, existimare debetis omnis Catilinae copias, omnis spes atque opes his depulsis urbis periculis concidisse. 

Now, citizens, since you have already captured and now hold the wicked leaders of the most dangerous and criminal war, you should consider that all Catiline’s forces, all his hopes and resources, have collapsed with these dangers driven from the city. 

Quem quidem ego cum ex urbe pellebam, hoc providebam animo, Quirites, remoto Catilina non mihi esse P. Lentuli somnum nec L. Cassi adipes nec C. Cethegi furiosam temeritatem pertimescendam. 

Indeed, when I was expelling Catiline from the city, I foresaw this in my mind, citizens: that with Catiline gone, I would no longer have to fear the drowsiness of Publius Lentulus, the obesity of Lucius Cassius, or the frantic recklessness of Gaius Cethegus. 

Ille erat unus timendus ex istis omnibus, sed tam diu dum urbis moenibus continebatur. 

He alone among all of them was truly to be feared, but only so long as he remained within the city walls. 

Omnia norat, omnium aditus tenebat; appellare, temptare, sollicitare poterat, audebat. 

He knew everything; he controlled access to everyone; he could approach, tempt, stir up—he dared to. 

Erat ei consilium ad facinus aptum, consilio autem neque lingua neque manus deerat. 

He had a mind well suited to crime, and for his plans, neither speech nor hand was ever lacking. 

Iam ad certas res conficiendas certos homines delectos ac descriptos habebat. 

He had already selected and assigned specific men to carry out specific tasks. 

Neque vero, cum aliquid mandarat, confectum putabat: nihil erat quod non ipse obiret, occurreret, vigilaret, laboraret; frigus, sitim, famem ferre poterat. 

Nor, indeed, when he gave an order, did he consider it done: there was nothing he did not personally undertake, confront, watch over, or work at; he could endure cold, thirst, and hunger. 

Hunc ego hominem tam acrem, tam audacem, tam paratum, tam callidum, tam in scelere vigilantem, tam in perditis rebus diligentem nisi ex domesticis insidiis in castrense latrocinium compulissem – dicam id quod sentio, Quirites – non facile hanc tantam molem mali a cervicibus vestris depulissem. 

Unless I had driven this man—so sharp, so bold, so ready, so cunning, so watchful in crime, so diligent in disaster—from his plots within the city into open brigandage in the camp, I will say what I truly feel, citizens: I could not easily have removed this vast burden of evil from your necks. 

Non ille nobis Saturnalia constituisset, neque tanto ante exiti ac fati diem rei publicae denuntiavisset neque commisisset ut signum, ut litterae suae testes manifesti sceleris deprehenderentur. 

He would not have scheduled the Saturnalia for us, nor declared so long in advance the date of the republic’s doom and destruction, nor allowed his seal and letters to be seized as manifest witnesses of his crime. 

Quae nunc illo absente sic gesta sunt ut nullum in privata domo furtum umquam sit tam palam inventum quam haec in tota re publica coniuratio manifesto comprehensa est. 

But now, with him gone, these things have unfolded in such a way that no theft in a private home has ever been detected as openly as this conspiracy has been plainly exposed throughout the republic. 

Quod si Catilina in urbe ad hanc diem remansisset, quamquam, quoad fuit, omnibus eius consiliis occurri atque obstiterim, tamen, ut levissime dicam, dimicandum nobis cum illo fuisset, neque nos umquam, cum ille in urbe hostis esset, tantis periculis rem publicam tanta pace, tanto otio, tanto silentio liberassemus. 

But if Catiline had remained in the city until today—although, as long as he was here, I opposed and thwarted all his plans—still, to put it mildly, we would have had to fight him, and we would never, with him as an enemy inside the city, have been able to rescue the republic from such great dangers with such peace, such leisure, such silence.

8.

Quamquam haec omnia, Quirites, ita sunt a me administrata ut deorum immortalium nutu atque consilio et gesta et provisa esse videantur. 

Although all these things, citizens, have been managed by me in such a way that they seem to have been both accomplished and foreseen by the will and counsel of the immortal gods. 

Idque cum coniectura consequi possumus, quod vix videtur humani consili tantarum rerum gubernatio esse potuisse, tum vero ita praesentes his temporibus opem et auxilium nobis tulerunt ut eos paene oculis videre possimus. 

And this we can gather by inference—since the direction of such great matters hardly seems to have been possible by human wisdom—and in truth they have brought us such present aid in these times that we can almost see them with our eyes. 

Nam ut illa omittam, visas nocturno tempore ab occidente faces ardoremque caeli, ut fulminum iactus, ut terrae motus relinquam, ut omittam cetera quae tam multa nobis consulibus facta sunt ut haec quae nunc fiunt canere di immortales viderentur, hoc certe, Quirites, quod sum dicturus neque praetermittendum neque relinquendum est. 

For to pass over those things—the torches seen at night in the west, and the blazing of the sky—to leave out the lightning strikes, the earthquakes, and other events so numerous during our consulship that the immortal gods seemed to be singing of what is now happening, this at least, citizens, which I am about to say, must not be omitted or overlooked. 

Nam profecto memoria tenetis Cotta et Torquato consulibus compluris in Capitolio res de caelo esse percussas, cum et simulacra deorum depulsa sunt et statuae veterum hominum deiectae et legum aera liquefacta et tactus etiam ille qui hanc urbem condidit Romulus, quem inauratum in Capitolio, parvum atque lactantem, uberibus lupinis inhiantem fuisse meministis. 

For you surely remember that when Cotta and Torquatus were consuls, several things on the Capitol were struck from heaven: the images of the gods were cast down, the statues of ancient men toppled, the bronze tablets of the laws melted, and even Romulus—who founded this city, and whom you remember as the small, gilded figure suckling from the she-wolf’s teats in the Capitol—was struck. 

Quo quidem tempore cum haruspices ex tota Etruria convenissent, caedis atque incendia et legum interitum et bellum civile ac domesticum et totius urbis atque imperi occasum appropinquare dixerunt, nisi di immortales omni ratione placati suo numine prope fata ipsa flexissent. 

At that very time, when the soothsayers had assembled from all Etruria, they declared that massacres and fires, the destruction of laws, civil and domestic war, and the downfall of the whole city and empire were at hand—unless the immortal gods, appeased by every possible means, had by their divine power turned aside the very fates themselves. 

Itaque illorum responsis tum et ludi per decem dies facti sunt neque res ulla quae ad placandos deos pertineret praetermissa est. 

Therefore, in response to their prophecies, games were held for ten days, and no measure was neglected that might appease the gods. 

Idemque iusserunt simulacrum Iovis facere maius et in excelso conlocare et contra atque antea fuerat ad orientem convertere; ac se sperare dixerunt, si illud signum quod videtis solis ortum et forum curiamque conspiceret, fore ut ea consilia quae clam essent inita contra salutem urbis atque imperi inlustrarentur ut a senatu populoque Romano perspici possent. 

And they also ordered a larger statue of Jupiter to be made and placed in a lofty spot, turned to the east, unlike before; and they said they hoped that if this statue, which you now see, should face the rising sun, the forum, and the Senate house, the secret plots devised against the safety of the city and empire would be revealed—so that the Senate and Roman people could perceive them clearly. 

Atque illud signum conlocandum consules illi locaverunt; sed tanta fuit operis tarditas ut neque superioribus consulibus neque nobis ante hodiernum diem conlocaretur. 

Those consuls contracted for the placement of that statue; but the slowness of the work was so great that it was not set up under the previous consuls, nor under us, until this very day.

9.

Hic quis potest esse tam aversus a vero, tam praeceps, tam mente captus qui neget haec omnia quae videmus praecipueque hanc urbem deorum immortalium nutu ac potestate administrari? 

Here, who can be so averse to truth, so reckless, so deranged in mind, as to deny that all these things we see—especially this city—are governed by the will and power of the immortal gods? 

Etenim cum esset ita responsum, caedis, incendia, interitum rei publicae comparari, et ea per civis, quae tum propter magnitudinem scelerum non nullis incredibilia videbantur, ea non modo cogitata a nefariis civibus verum etiam suscepta esse sensistis. 

For when it had been foretold that massacres, fires, and the destruction of the republic were being prepared—and these by citizens, which then seemed incredible to some because of the enormity of the crimes—you realized that these things had not only been conceived by criminal citizens but had actually been undertaken. 

Illud vero nonne ita praesens est ut nutu Iovis optimi maximi factum esse videatur, ut, cum hodierno die mane per forum meo iussu et coniurati et eorum indices in aedem Concordiae ducerentur, eo ipso tempore signum statueretur? 

And isn’t this especially evident, as though it were done by the will of Jupiter Optimus Maximus—that today, when by my order the conspirators and their informers were being led through the forum to the Temple of Concord, at that very moment the statue was being set in place? 

Quo conlocato atque ad vos senatumque converso omnia et senatus et vos quae erant contra salutem omnium cogitata inlustrata et patefacta vidistis. 

Once it was installed and turned toward you and the Senate, both you and the Senate saw all the plans that had been made against the safety of all illuminated and laid bare. 

Quo etiam maiore sunt isti odio supplicioque digni qui non solum vestris domiciliis atque tectis sed etiam deorum templis atque delubris sunt funestos ac nefarios ignis inferre conati. 

All the more are those men worthy of hatred and punishment who tried to bring destructive and sacrilegious fire not only to your homes and roofs, but also to the temples and shrines of the gods. 

Quibus ego si me restitisse dicam, nimium mihi sumam et non sim ferendus: ille, ille Iuppiter restitit; ille Capitolium, ille haec templa, ille cunctam urbem, ille vos omnis salvos esse voluit. 

If I claimed to have resisted them, I would take too much credit and would be insufferable: it was he, it was Jupiter himself who resisted; he wanted the Capitol, these temples, the whole city, and all of you to be saved. 

Dis ego immortalibus ducibus hanc mentem voluntatemque suscepi atque ad haec tanta indicia perveni. 

With the immortal gods as my guides, I undertook this purpose and will, and came to these great discoveries. 

Iam vero illa Allobrogum sollicitatio, iam ab Lentulo ceterisque domesticis hostibus tam dementer tantae res creditae et ignotis et barbaris commissaeque litterae numquam essent profecto, nisi ab dis immortalibus huic tantae audaciae consilium esset ereptum. 

Indeed, that incitement of the Allobroges—that such vast matters were so madly entrusted by Lentulus and the other internal enemies to unknown and barbarian men, and that letters were committed to them—would never have happened unless the plan had been snatched away from such immense audacity by the immortal gods. 

Quid vero? 

What indeed? 

Ut homines Galli ex civitate male pacata, quae gens una restat quae bellum populo Romano facere posse et non nolle videatur, spem imperi ac rerum maximarum ultro sibi a patriciis hominibus oblatam neglegerent vestramque salutem suis opibus anteponerent, id non divinitus esse factum putatis, praesertim qui nos non pugnando sed tacendo superare potuerunt? 

That Gallic men, from a scarcely pacified state—the one nation remaining that seems both able and willing to wage war on the Roman people—should ignore the hope of rule and vast power freely offered them by patrician men, and place your safety above their own advantage—do you not think this was divinely arranged, especially since they could have conquered us not by fighting, but by remaining silent?

10.

Quam ob rem, Quirites, quoniam ad omnia pulvinaria supplicatio decreta est, celebratote illos dies cum coniugibus ac liberis vestris. 

Therefore, citizens, since a public thanksgiving has been decreed at all the shrines, celebrate those days with your wives and children. 

Nam multi saepe honores dis immortalibus iusti habiti sunt ac debiti, sed profecto iustiores numquam. 

For many just and deserved honors have often been paid to the immortal gods, but certainly never more just ones. 

Erepti enim estis ex crudelissimo ac miserrimo interitu, erepti sine caede, sine sanguine, sine exercitu, sine dimicatione; togati me uno togato duce et imperatore vicistis. 

For you have been snatched from a most cruel and wretched destruction—snatched without slaughter, without bloodshed, without an army, without a battle; civilians, you conquered with me, a single civilian, as your leader and commander. 

Etenim recordamini, Quirites, omnis civilis dissensiones, non solum eas quas audistis sed eas quas vosmet ipsi meministis atque vidistis. 

Indeed, recall, citizens, all civil conflicts—not only those you have heard of, but those which you yourselves remember and have seen. 

14. Sulla P. Sulpicium oppressit: C. Marium, custodem huius urbis, multosque fortis viros partim eiecit ex civitate, partim interemit.

Lucius Sulla crushed Publius Sulpicius: he drove out from the state or killed Gaius Marius, the guardian of this city, and many brave men. 

Cn. Octavius consul armis expulit ex urbe conlegam: omnis hic locus acervis corporum et civium sanguine redundavit. 

Gnaeus Octavius, as consul, expelled his colleague from the city by armed force: this very place overflowed with heaps of bodies and the blood of citizens. 

Superavit postea Cinna cum Mario: tum vero clarissimis viris interfectis lumina civitatis exstincta sunt. 

Afterwards, Cinna with Marius triumphed: then, with the most illustrious men slain, the lights of the state were extinguished. 

Ultus est huius victoriae crudelitatem postea Sulla: ne dici quidem opus est quanta deminutione civium et quanta calamitate rei publicae. 

Sulla later avenged the cruelty of that victory: it is needless to say with how great a loss of citizens and with what calamity to the republic. 

Dissensit M. Lepidus a clarissimo et fortissimo viro Q. Catulo: attulit non tam ipsius interitus rei publicae luctum quam ceterorum. 

Marcus Lepidus broke with the most illustrious and brave man, Quintus Catulus: and his death brought less grief to the republic than that of the others who perished. 

Atque illae tamen omnes dissensiones erant eius modi quae non ad delendam sed ad commutandam rem publicam pertinerent. 

And yet all those conflicts were of such a kind as aimed not at destroying but at changing the republic. 

Non illi nullam esse rem publicam sed in ea quae esset se esse principes, neque hanc urbem conflagrare sed se in hac urbe florere voluerunt. 

They did not wish the republic not to exist, but to be its leaders; nor did they wish this city to burn, but to flourish in it themselves. 

Atque illae tamen omnes dissensiones, quarum nulla exitium rei publicae quaesivit, eius modi fuerunt ut non reconciliatione concordiae sed internicione civium diiudicatae sint. 

And yet all those conflicts, though none sought the destruction of the republic, were decided not by reconciliation but by the slaughter of citizens. 

In hoc autem uno post hominum memoriam maximo crudelissimoque bello, quale bellum nulla umquam barbaria cum sua gente gessit, quo in bello lex haec fuit a Lentulo, Catilina, Cethego, Cassio constituta ut omnes qui salva urbe salvi esse possent in hostium numero ducerentur, ita me gessi, Quirites, ut salvi omnes conservaremini, et, cum hostes vestri tantum civium superfuturum putassent quantum infinitae caedi restitisset, tantum autem urbis quantum flamma obire non potuisset, et urbem et civis integros incolumisque servavi. 

But in this single war—the greatest and cruellest in human memory, such as no barbarian nation has ever waged against its own people—in which Lentulus, Catiline, Cethegus, and Cassius laid down this rule: that all who could survive with the city intact should be counted among the enemy, I conducted myself, citizens, so that you were all preserved safely, and while your enemies thought only as many citizens would survive as escaped massacre, and only as much of the city as fire would spare, I saved both city and citizens whole and unharmed.

11.

Quibus pro tantis rebus, Quirites, nullum ego a vobis praemium virtutis, nullum insigne honoris, nullum monumentum laudis postulabo praeterquam huius diei memoriam sempiternam. 

For these great deeds, citizens, I ask of you no reward for my virtue, no mark of honor, no monument of praise—except the everlasting memory of this day. 

In animis ego vestris omnis triumphos meos, omnia ornamenta honoris, monumenta gloriae, laudis insignia condi et conlocari volo. 

In your hearts I wish all my triumphs, all decorations of honor, monuments of glory, and emblems of praise to be stored and treasured.  

Nihil me mutum potest delectare, nihil tacitum, nihil denique eius modi quod etiam minus digni adsequi possint. 

Nothing silent can delight me, nothing unspoken—nothing, in short, of such a kind that even less worthy men could attain it. 

Memoria vestra, Quirites, nostrae res alentur, sermonibus crescent, litterarum monumentis inveterascent et conroborabuntur; eandemque diem intellego, quam spero aeternam fore, propagatam esse et ad salutem urbis et ad memoriam consulatus mei, unoque tempore in hac re publica duos civis exstitisse quorum alter finis vestri imperi non terrae sed caeli regionibus terminaret, alter huius imperi domicilium sedisque servaret. 

By your memory, citizens, our deeds will be sustained, by your talk they will grow, by the monuments of literature they will age and be strengthened; and I understand that this day—which I hope will be eternal—has been prolonged both for the safety of the city and for the memory of my consulship, and that at one and the same time two citizens have appeared in this republic: one who would set the limits of your empire not by the bounds of earth but of the heavens, the other who would preserve the home and seat of this empire.

12.

Sed quoniam earum rerum quas ego gessi non eadem est fortuna atque condicio quae illorum qui externa bella gesserunt, quod mihi cum eis vivendum est quos vici ac subegi, illi hostis aut interfectos aut oppressos reliquerunt, vestrum est, Quirites, si ceteris facta sua recte prosunt, mihi mea ne quando obsint providere. 

But since the fortune and condition of the deeds I have performed are not the same as those who waged foreign wars—because I must live with those whom I conquered and subdued, while they left their enemies either slain or crushed—it is your duty, citizens, if others are rightly rewarded for their deeds, to ensure that mine never harm me. 

Mentes enim hominum audacissimorum sceleratae ac nefariae ne vobis nocere possent ego providi, ne mihi noceant vestrum est providere. 

For I saw to it that the criminal and wicked minds of the most audacious men could not harm you; it is your part to see that they do not harm me. 

Quamquam, Quirites, mihi quidem ipsi nihil ab istis iam noceri potest. 

However, citizens, nothing can now truly harm me personally from those men. 

Magnum enim est in bonis praesidium quod mihi in perpetuum comparatum est, magna in re publica dignitas quae me semper tacita defendet, magna vis conscientiae quam qui neglegunt, cum me violare volent, se indicabunt. 

For there is great protection in good citizens, which has been prepared for me forever; great dignity in the republic, which will always silently defend me; and great power in conscience, which those who disregard, when they seek to harm me, will thereby expose themselves. 

Est enim nobis is animus, Quirites, ut non modo nullius audaciae cedamus sed etiam omnis improbos ultro semper lacessamus. 

For we have such spirit, citizens, that we not only yield to no man’s audacity, but of our own accord always provoke the wicked. 

Quod si omnis impetus domesticorum hostium depulsus a vobis se in me unum converterit, vobis erit videndum, Quirites, qua condicione posthac eos esse velitis qui se pro salute vestra obtulerint invidiae periculisque omnibus: mihi quidem ipsi quid est quod iam ad vitae fructum possit adquiri, cum praesertim neque in honore vestro neque in gloria virtutis quicquam videam altius quo mihi libeat ascendere? 

But if all the assaults of domestic enemies, driven from you, are turned upon me alone, then it will be for you, citizens, to consider in what condition you wish those to be hereafter who expose themselves to envy and every danger for your safety. As for myself, what now remains to be gained for life’s enjoyment—especially since I see nothing higher in your honor or in the glory of virtue to which I might wish to ascend? 

Illud perficiam profecto, Quirites, ut ea quae gessi in consulatu privatus tuear atque ornem, ut, si qua est invidia in conservanda re publica suscepta, laedat invidos, mihi valeat ad gloriam. 

This at least I will assuredly accomplish, citizens: that as a private man I shall protect and embellish what I achieved in my consulship, so that if any unpopularity was incurred in preserving the republic, it may harm the envious but bring me glory. 

Denique ita me in re publica tractabo ut meminerim semper quae gesserim, curemque ut ea virtute non casu gesta esse videantur. 

Finally, I shall conduct myself in public life so as always to remember what I have done, and to ensure that those deeds appear to have been achieved by virtue, not by chance. 

Vos, Quirites, quoniam iam est nox, venerati Iovem illum custodem huius urbis ac vestrum in vestra tecta discedite et ea, quamquam iam est periculum depulsum, tamen aeque ac priore nocte custodiis vigiliisque defendite. 

You, citizens, since it is now night, having worshipped Jupiter, the guardian of this city and of yourselves, go back to your homes and, although the danger has now been averted, defend them with guards and watches just as you did the previous night. 

Id ne vobis diutius faciendum sit atque ut in perpetua pace esse possitis providebo, Quirites. 

I shall see to it, citizens, that you need do this no longer, and that you may live in perpetual peace.