Chapter 4, In Catilinam I Summary and Analysis

Cicero was elected consul of Rome in 64 B.C. In 63 B.C. a coup was attempted by Lucius Sergius Catilina (Catiline, in English). Catiline's followers attempted a coup in order to take control of Rome. The Catilinarians (the following four letters) were a series of condemnatory orations Cicero gave against Catiline and his followers given at various stages of the conspiracy. The First Catilinarian was a speech that Cicero gave in the Senate after a spy uncovered Catiline's plot to assassinate him. Catiline was in the senate for this, but he sat alone.

Cicero begins the speech with a direct attack on Catiline. He complains that Catiline is losing the patience of the Senate with his 'recklessness'. Catiline's plans have been exposed, and it is an outrage that he remains alive. Catiline should have been...