PREFATORY NOTE THIS edition differs from the earlier edition in the following respects: long quantities are marked throughout the text; the notes have been entirely rewritten; and a vocabulary has been added. The text follows that of Jordan (Berlin, 1876) with a few slight changes to secure a consistent orthography. In the illness of Professor Greenough, Professor F. H. Howard of Hamilton, N. Y., has read the proof sheets and has made valuable suggestions, for which Professor Greenough wishes personally to express his obligation. INTRODUCTION NOTE. This introduction, written by the brothers Allen, is retained here without change as a memorial of two excellent scholars and in itself a very fine piece of historical and critical writing. J. B. GREENOUGH. LUCIUS SERGIUS CATILINA was an old soldier and partisan of Sulla, a man of profligate character, broken fortunes, and headstrong ambition. About twelve years after Sulla's death, he formed a scheme to better his estate by political adventure. His confederates were, some of them, men of good family and high official standing; the larger number, probably, needy and reckless fortune hunters. His plan was to get himself into power in the ordinary way of popular elections; then, by the spoils and chances of office, to secure his own predominance, and reward the service of his adherents. Probably his plans did not differ much from those of most political soldiers of fortune. They seem to have been ripened as early as B.C. 66. Two years later, he was defeated in a close race for the consulship by Cicero and Caius Antonius. Renewing his attempt at the next elections, he was again defeated, and, when driven from the city by the invective of Cicero, he raised the standard of open insurrection. His confederates in the city were seized and put to death, and in the following January, a month later, he was beaten in battle, and his armed force completely annihilated./ The Conspiracy of Catiline, so called, was the principal political event in Rome from the dictatorship of Sulla |