Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/244

230 ultimum) to maintain the public peace. By his watchfulness he prevented the conspirators from accomplishing anything on October 28; but soon the report came that Manlius had raised his standard, as directed, and that he demanded, in particular, relief for the debtors. In Capua and Apulia, moreover, the slaves were turbulent. The senate then decreed extensive precautionary measures; Catiline himself was arraigned on the charge of sedition (de vi), but remained as haughty and insolent as ever. Nevertheless, being thwarted everywhere by Cicero, he concluded to leave Rome and bring matters to a speedy issue. When he had assigned the work of murder and incendiarism to the conspirators that were to remain, and another attempt to assassinate Cicero had failed, he left early in November for Faesulae. Somewhat later it was reported that he had assumed the fasces and other insignia of supreme power. The senate thereupon declared him and Manlius public enemies.

Execution of Five Conspirators. — The open revolt was confined to Etruria, and its success depended on the conspirators in the city. Their plan was to assert that Cicero was responsible for the war, to set fire to the city in twelve places, to murder Cicero and a great number of others, and then to rush out and unite with Catiline, who in the meantime was to approach the city. But the leader, Lentulus, — precedence of rank was observed even by the conspirators, — was incompetent and slow, and the late date of December 19 was set for the massacre. Though informed of the plot, Cicero did not venture to take any decisive step until he had tangible evidence. The imprudent Lentulus, Cethegus, and Statilius furnished this by giving letters to ambassadors of the Allobroges, and Lentulus gave also a letter to T. Volturcius — all of which Cicero secured on December 3. These three, together, with Gabinius and Caeparius, were then arrested and their guilt was proven. Cicero was extolled