Latin Quiz 1.1-1.3 and Comp Questions

(1.1) Quo usque tandem abutere, Catilina, patientia nostra?

For how long will you abuse our patience Catiline?

(1.1) Quam diu etiam furor iste tuus nos eludet?

How long will that rage of yours mock us?

(1.1) Quem ad finem sese effrenata iactabit audacia?

To what end will your unbridled audacity boast itself?

(1.1) Nihilne te, nocturnum praesidium Palati, nihil urbis vigiliar, nihil timor populi, nihil concursus bonorum omnium, nihil hic munitissimus habendi senatus locus, nihil horum ora vultusque moverunt?

Did the night watchers of the palace, the watch patrols of the city, the fear of the people, the gathering of all the good men, the location for the holding of the Senate, the faces and expressions of all these men [the senators], not move you at all?

(1.1) Patēre tua cōnsilia nōn sentīs, cōnstrictam iam hōrum omnium scientiā tenērī coniūrātiōnem tuam nōn vidēs?

Do you not understand that your plans are lying open, do you not see now that your conspiracy is held restrained in the knowledge in all of these (men/senators)?

(1.1) Quid proximā, quid superiōre nocte ēgerīs, ubi fuerīs, quōs convocāverīs, quid cōnsilī cēperīs, quem nostrum ignōrāre arbitrāris?

Do you think that any of us are ignorant of what you did both last night and the night (8) before last, where you were, who you called together, what plan you made?

(1.2) O tempora, o mores! Senatus haec intellegit, consul videt; hic tamen vivit. Vivit?

Oh the time, oh the morals. The Senate understands these things, the consul sees, this man (Catiline), however, lives. He lives?

(1.2) Immo vero etiam in senatum venit, fit publici consili particeps, notat et designat oculis ad casedem unum quemque nostrum.

Rather truly he also comes into the Senate, he becomes a participant in the common consul, and with his eyes, he points out each and every one of us to murder.

(1.2) Nos autem, fortes viri, satis facere rei publicae videmur, si istius furorem ac tela vitamus.

We however, strong men, seem to do enough for the republic, if we avoid the madness and the weapons of that man.

(1.2) Ad mortem tē, Catilīna, dūcī iussū cōnsulis iam prīdem oportēbat, in tē cōnferrī pestem quam tū in nōs omnēs iam diū māchināris.

It was fitting long before now that, you, Catiline, be led to death by the order of the consul, and that [the plague which you devise against all of us for a long time now [you brought be against you].

(1.3) An vērō vir amplissimus, P. Scīpio, pontifex maximus, Ti. Gracchum mediocriter labefactantem statum reī pūblicae prīvātus interfēcit: Catilīnam orbem terrae caede atque incendiīs vāstāre cupientem nōs cōnsulēs perferēmus?

But in truth a man most ample, P. Scipio, pontifex maximus, as a private citizen killed Tiberius Gracchum was moderately causing the republic state to slip: Will we consuls put up with Catiline, wanting to lay waste to the whole earth with slaughter and fire?

(1.3) Nam illa nimis antīqua praetereō, quod C. Servīlius Ahāla Sp. Maelium novīs rēbus studentem manū suā occīdit.

For I pass over those ancient times too much, that Gaius Servilius Ahala killed with his own hand Spurius Manlius, striving for revolution.

(1.3) Fuit, fuit ista quondam in hāc rē pūblicā virtūs ut virī fortēs ācriōribus suppliciīs cīvem perniciōsum quam acerbissimum hostem coercērent.

There was there was once in this republic, such courage that strong men restrained destructive citizens with fiercer punishments than a very fierce enemy.

(1.3) Habēmus senātūs cōnsultum in tē, Catilīna, vehemēns et grave, nōn deest reī pūblicae cōnsilium neque auctōritās huius ōrdinis: nōs, nōs, dīcō apertē, cōnsulēs dēsumus.

We have an order of the senate against you, Catiline, strong and serious, the wisdom is not lacking for this republic nor the authority of this senate: We, We, I say openly, consuls are lacking.

What happened in 63 BCE that made it so influential?

63 BCE was Rome's downfall and lowest point. They had been through a lot of defeat and hardship. Many Romans died that year in battle and it just felt like loss after loss to them. Also, 63 BCE is when Cataline was plotting the demise of Rome from within.

Who was Cicero and what was he known for?

Cicero was a Roman lawyer, writer, and orator. He is famous for his orations on politics and society, as well as serving as a high-ranking consul. He was known for exposing the conspiracy of Catiline which turned into Cicero's First Catilinarian.

What kind of background did Catiline have?

Catiline came from a family that was wealthy and had been a part of Roman politics. Catiline had advantages while running for political power since he had political ancestry. Catiline had stood for the consulship three times by 63 BC and was rejected every time by the voters. He also used to be a governor in Africa.

What was different about Catiline and Cicero's backgrounds, and how did these differences impact the election between them?

Catiline descended from a very old Roman family. It was said that one of his forefathers fought with Aeneas in his founding of Rome. Catiline also descended from a wealthy line of Roman politicians, which enabled him to hold position in the government more easily. Cicero, conversely, grew up on the outskirts of Rome, with no political lineage. He was able to join the government through the connections he had made, and his gift for speaking. Initially it was difficult for him to win the election for Consul, because of the elitist remarks, dubbing him as a 'new man,' but he won regardless.

How did Maccari's painting of Cicero's speech differ from the reality of the event?

Maccari's painting of the trial was more fantasy than reality. For starters, he painted Cicero as an older man, and Catiline as younger. This was incorrect, for Catiline was actually the elder of the two. Secondly, the amount of people in the room was vastly incorrect. In the painting, there is an abundance of open seats and very few senators in the room. In reality, there must have been 600 senators watching the speech. Lastly, the room itself was incorrect. Marble, which is depicted in the painting, had not been cultivated yet in Rome. There also should have been a statue of Jupiter in the room (the trial was held in the temple of Jupiter).

In brief, how did Cicero's handling of the Catilinarian conspiracy impact his legacy in Roman history?

Cicero's handling of the Catilinarian conspiracy had a significant impact on his political career and legacy. Initially, he was seen as a hero and given the honorary title "Pater Patriae" (Father of the Fatherland) for saving Rome from the conspiracy. However, his decision to execute the conspirators without a trial was later criticized and led to his temporary exile. Despite this, Cicero's role in the conspiracy secured his reputation as a defender of the Republic and a famous skilled orator in Roman history, and his speeches against Catiline are still studied for their rhetorical genius.

Do you think Cicero's exile was justified? Why or why not?

I have mixed opinions on this. Because of the dire circumstances, the government had given Cicero control to protect the Republic. So to punish him for his choices, no matter how bad, is not entirely fair. On the other hand, Cicero chose to execute the perpetrators without trial, which is inherently wrong. Had the government not given Cicero control to perform any actions he thought necessary, the exile was justified. However, because he was acting for the government, I do not think it was justified.