Cicero's Against Catilina Sparknotes

Cicero’s Against Catilina orations tells the reader more about Cicero himself than what the role of consul in the Roman Republic consists of. That’s not to say that Cicero’s orations don’t tell the reader anything about the role of Roman consulship, it’s just that they more insight about Cicero in the long run. Written works often tell one more about the author than they could ever tell you about the subject. From this speech alone, one can infer Cicero’s morals and values. He values reputation very highly. He also has a certain set of standards and morals that he holds himself to as well as everyone else. He doesn’t neglect those morals and he doesn’t expect others to either.

The prosecution of Catilina was a really big deal for Cicero. Cicero believed that this was the thing could potentially prove his worth. Cicero came from a poorer family, outside of Rome. He was a citizen of Italy, but not of Rome. Most of the men in the Senate came from really old and really rich families within Rome. Their family names held power and meaning, simply because of the age and wealth that accompanied them. Cicero’s family held no weight and power, because his linage stemmed from outside of Rome. Everything Cicero was was self made. He had to build up his own reputation and make himself known. He won his consulship by complete chance. No one

They are supposed to be selfless, and always put Rome and the people above themselves. They speak on behalf of the Roman people. They speak for them and are always supposed to do what is right by them. Cicero mentions his selflessness often throughout the speeches. One such example is “I am perfectly prepared to endure this storm of unjustified, undeserved hatred if only the menace of a horrifying and iniquitous war can be averted from all of you.” (Cicero 101) Consuls have to be willing to put themselves on the line in order to make sure Rome