Conspiracy of Catiline (Sallust)

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	Conspiracy of Catiline Author: Sallust	Translator: John Selby Watson
1	Omnis homines , qui sese student praestare ceteris animalibus , summa ope niti decet , ne vitam silentio transeant veluti pecora , quae natura prona atque ventri oboedientia finxit . Sed nostra omnis vis in animo et corpore sita est : animi imperio , corporis servitio magis utimur ; alterum nobis cum dis , alterum cum beluis commune est . Quo mihi rectius videtur ingeni quam virium opibus gloriam quaerere et , quoniam vita ipsa , qua fruimur , brevis est , memoriam nostri quam maxume longam efficere . Nam divitiarum et formae gloria fluxa atque fragilis est , virtus clara aeternaque habetur . Sed diu magnum inter mortalis certamen fuit , vine corporis an virtute animi res militaris magis procederet . Nam et , prius quam incipias , consulto et , ubi consulueris , mature facto opus est . Ita utrumque per se indigens alterum alterius auxilio eget .	IT becomes all men, who desire to excel other animals, to strive, to the utmost of their power, not to pass through life in obscurity, like the beasts of the field, which nature has formed groveling and subservient to appetite. All our power is situate in the mind and in the body. Of the mind we rather employ the government; of the body, the service. The one is common to us with the gods; the other with the brutes. It appears to me, therefore, more reasonable to pursue glory by means of the intellect than of bodily strength, and, since the life which we enjoy is short, to make the remembrance of us as lasting as possible. For the glory of wealth and beauty is fleeting and perishable; that of intellectual power is illustrious and immortal.
2	Igitur initio reges ( nam in terris nomen imperi id primum fuit ) divorsi pars ingenium , alii corpus exercebant : etiam tum vita hominum sine cupiditate agitabatur ; sua cuique satis placebant . Postea vero , quam in Asia Cyrus , in Graecia Lacedaemonii et Athenienses coepere urbis atque nationes subigere , lubidinem dominandi causam belli habere , maxumam gloriam in maxumo imperio putare , tum demum periculo atque negotiis compertum est in bello plurumum ingenium posse . Quod si regum atque imperatorum animi virtus in pace ita ut in bello valeret , aequabilius atque constantius sese res humanae haberent neque aliud alio ferri neque mutari ac misceri omnia cerneres . Nam imperium facile iis artibus retinetur , quibus initio partum est . Verum ubi pro labore desidia , pro continentia et aequitate lubido atque superbia invasere , fortuna simul cum moribus inmutatur . Ita imperium semper ad optumum quemque a minus bono transferetur . Quae homines arant , navigant , aedificant , virtuti omnia parent . Sed multi mortales , dediti ventri atque somno , indocti incultique vitam sicuti peregrinantes transiere ; quibus profecto contra naturam corpus voluptati , anima oneri fuit . Eorum ego vitam mortemque iuxta aestumo , quoniam de utraque siletur . Verum enim vero is demum mihi vivere atque frui anima videtur , qui aliquo negotio intentus praeclari facinoris aut artis bonae famam quaerit . Sed in magna copia rerum aliud alii natura iter ostendit .	In early times, accordingly, kings (for that was the first title of sovereignty in the world) applied themselves in different ways; some exercised the mind, others the body. At that period, however, the life of man was passed without covetousness every one was satisfied with his own. But after Cyrus in Asia and the Lacedæmonians and Athenians in Greece, began to subjugate cities and nations, to deem the lust of dominion a reason for war, and to imagine the greatest glory to be in the most extensive empire, it was then at length discovered, by proof and experience, that mental power has the greatest effect in military operations. And, indeed, if the intellectual ability of kings and magistrates were exerted to the same degree in peace as in war, human affairs would be more orderly and settled, and you would not see governments shifted from hand to hand, and things universally changed and confused. For dominion is easily secured by those qualities by which it was at first obtained. But when sloth has introduced itself in the place of industry, and covetousness and pride in that of moderation and equity, the fortune of a state is altered together with its morals; and thus authority is always transferred from the less to the more deserving. Even in agriculture, in navigation, and in architecture, whatever man performs owns the dominion of intellect. Yet many human beings, resigned to sensuality and indolence, uninstructed and unimproved, have passed through life like travelers in a strange country; to whom, certainly, contrary to the intention of nature, the body was a gratification, and the mind a burden. Of these I hold the life and death in equal estimation; for silence is maintained concerning both. But he only, indeed, seems to me to live, and to enjoy life, who, intent upon some employment, seeks reputation from some ennobling enterprise, or honorable pursuit. But in the great abundance of occupations, nature points out different paths to different individuals.
3	Pulchrum est bene facere rei publicae , etiam bene dicere haud absurdum est ; vel pace vel bello clarum fieri licet ; et qui fecere et qui facta aliorum scripsere , multi laudantur . Ac mihi quidem , tametsi haudquaquam par gloria sequitur scriptorem et auctorem rerum , tamen in primis arduom videtur res gestas scribere : primum , quod facta dictis exaequanda sunt ; dehinc , quia plerique , quae delicta reprehenderis , malevolentia et invidia dicta putant , ubi de magna virtute atque gloria bonorum memores , quae sibi quisque facilia factu putat , aequo animo accipit , supra ea veluti ficta pro falsis ducit . Sed ego adulescentulus initio , sicuti plerique , studio ad rem publicam latus sum ibique mihi multa advorsa fuere . Nam pro pudore , pro abstinentia , pro virtute audacia , largitio , avaritia vigebant . Quae tametsi animus aspernabatur insolens malarum artium , tamen inter tanta vitia imbecilla aetas ambitione corrupta tenebatur ; ac me , cum ab reliquorum malis moribus dissentirem , nihilo minus honoris cupido eadem , qua ceteros , fama atque invidia vexabat .	To act well for the Commonwealth is noble, and even to speak well for it is not without merit. Both in peace and in war it is possible to obtain celebrity; many who have acted, and many who have recorded the actions of others, receive their tribute of praise. And to me, assuredly, though by no means equal glory attends the narrator and the performer of illustrious deeds, it yet seems in the highest degeee difficult to write the history of great transactions; first, because deeds must be adequately represented by words; and next, because most readers consider that whatever errors you mention with censure, are mentioned through malevolence and envy; while, when you speak of the great virtue and glory of eminent men, every one hears with acquiescence only that which he himself thinks easy to be performed; all beyond his own conception he regards as fictitious and incredible. I myself, however, when a young man, was at first led by inclination, like most others, to engage in political affairs; but in that pursuit many circumstances were unfavorable to me; for, instead of modesty, temperance, and integrity, there prevailed shamelessness, corruption, and rapacity. And although my mind, inexperienced in dishonest practices, detested these vices, yet, in the midst of so great corruption, my tender age was insnared and infected by ambition; and, though I shrunk from the vicious principles of those around me, yet the same eagerness for honors, the same obloquy and jealousy, which disquieted others, disquieted myself.
4	Igitur ubi animus ex multis miseriis atque periculis requievit et mihi reliquam aetatem a re publica procul habendam decrevi , non fuit consilium socordia atque desidia bonum otium conterere neque vero agrum colundo aut venando , servilibus officiis , intentum aetatem agere ; sed , a quo incepto studioque me ambitio mala detinuerat , eodem regressus statui res gestas populi Romani carptim , ut quaeque memoria digna videbantur , perscribere , eo magis , quod mihi a spe , metu , partibus rei publicae animus liber erat . Igitur de Catilinae coniuratione , quam verissume potero , paucis absolvam ; nam id facinus in primis ego memorabile existumo sceleris atque periculi novitate . De cuius hominis moribus pauca prius explananda sunt , quam initium narrandi faciam .	When, therefore, my mind had rest from its numerous troubles and trials, and I had determined to pass the remainder of my days unconnected with public life, it was not my intention to waste my valuable leisure in indolence and inactivity, or, engaging in servile occupations, to spend my time in agriculture or hunting ; but, returning to those studies from which, at their commencement, a corrupt ambition had allured me, I determined to write, in detatched portions, the transactions of the Roman people, as any occurrence should seem worthy of mention; an undertaking to which I was the rather inclined, as my mind was uninfluenced by hope, fear, or political partisanship. I shall accordingly give a brief account, with as much truth as I can, of the Conspiracy of Catiline; for I think it an enterprise eminently deserving of record, from the unusual nature both of its guilt and of its perils. But before I enter upon my narrative, I must give a short description of the character of the man.
5	L . Catilina , nobili genere natus , fuit magna vi et animi et corporis , sed ingenio malo pravoque . Huic ab adulescentia bella intestina , caedes , rapinae , discordia civilis grata fuere ibique iuventutem suam exercuit . Corpus patiens inediae , algoris , vigiliae supra quam quoiquam credibile est . Animus audax , subdolus , varius , quoius rei lubet simulator ac dissimulator , alieni appetens , sui profusus , ardens in cupiditatibus ; satis eloquentiae , sapientiae parum . Vastus animus immoderata , incredibilia , nimis alta semper cupiebat . Hunc post dominationem L . Sullae lubido maxuma invaserat rei publicae capiundae ; neque id quibus modis adsequeretur , dum sibi regnum pararet , quicquam pensi habebat . Agitabatur magis magisque in dies animus ferox inopia rei familiaris et conscientia scelerum , quae utraque iis artibus auxerat , quas supra memoravi . Incitabant praeterea corrupti civitatis mores , quos pessuma ac divorsa inter se mala , luxuria atque avaritia , vexabant . Res ipsa hortari videtur , quoniam de moribus civitatis tempus admonuit , supra repetere ac paucis instituta maiorum domi militiaeque , quo modo rem publicam habuerint quantamque reliquerint , ut paulatim immutata ex pulcherruma atque optuma pessuma ac flagitiosissuma facta sit , disserere .	LUCIUS CATILINE was a man of noble birth, and of eminent mental and personal endowments; but of a vicious and depraved disposition. His delight, from his youth, had been in civil commotions, bloodshed, robbery, and sedition; and in such scenes he had spent his early years. His constitution could endure hunger, want of sleep, and cold, to a degree surpassing belief. His mind was daring, subtle, and versatile, capable of pretending or dissembling whatever he wished. He was covetous of other men's property, and prodigal of his own. He had abundance of eloquence, though but little wisdom. His insatiable ambition was always pursuing objects extravagant, romantic, and unattainable. Since the time of Sylla's dictatorship, a strong desire of seizing the government possessed him, nor did he at all care, provided that he secured power for himself, by what means he might arrive at it. His violent spirit was daily more and more hurried on by the diminution of his patrimony, and by his consciousness of guilt; both which evils he had increased by those practices which I have mentioned above. The corrupt morals of the state, too, which extravagance and selfishness, pernicious and contending vices, rendered thoroughly depraved, furnished him with additional incentives to action. Since the occasion has thus brought public morals under my notice, the subject itself seems to call upon me to look back, and briefly to describe the conduct of our ancestors in peace and war; how they managed the state, and how powerful they left it; and how, by gradual alteration, it became, from being the most virtuous, the most vicious and depraved.
6	Urbem Romam , sicuti ego accepi , condidere atque habuere initio Troiani , qui Aenea duce profugi sedibus incertis vagabantur , cumque iis Aborigines , genus hominum agreste , sine legibus , sine imperio , liberum atque solutum . Hi postquam in una moenia convenere , dispari genere , dissimili lingua , alii alio more viventes , incredibile memoratu est , quam facile coaluerint : ita brevi multitudo dispersa atque vaga concordia civitas facta erat . Sed postquam res eorum civibus , moribus , agris aucta , satis prospera satisque pollens videbatur , sicuti pleraque mortalium habentur , invidia ex opulentia orta est . Igitur reges populique finitumi bello temptare , pauci ex amicis auxilio esse ; nam ceteri metu perculsi a periculis aberant . At Romani domi militiaeque intenti festinare , parare , alius alium hortari , hostibus obviam ire , libertatem , patriam , parentisque armis tegere . Post , ubi pericula virtute propulerant , sociis atque amicis auxilia portabant magisque dandis quam accipiundis beneficiis amicitias parabant . Imperium legitumum , nomen imperi regium habebant . Delecti , quibus corpus annis infirmum , ingenium sapientia validum erat , rei publicae consultabant ; hi vel aetate vel curae similitudine patres appellabantur . Post , ubi regium imperium , quod initio conservandae libertatis atque augendae rei publicae fuerat , in superbiam dominationemque se convortit , inmutato more annua imperia binosque imperatores sibi fecere : eo modo minume posse putabant per licentiam insolescere animum humanum .	Of the city of Rome, as I understand, the founders and earliest inhabitants were the Trojans, who, under the conduct of Æneas, were wandering about as exiles from their country, without any settled abode; and with these were joined the Aborigines, a savage race of men, without laws or government, free, and owning no control. How easily these two tribes, though of different origin, dissimilar language, and opposite habits of life, formed a union when they met within the same walls, is almost incredible. But when their state, from an accession of population and territory, and an improved condition of morals, showed itself tolerably flourishing and powerful, envy, as is generally the case in human affairs, was the consequence of its prosperity. The neighboring kings and people, accordingly, began to assail them in war, while a few only of their friends came to their support; for the rest, struck with alarm, shrunk from sharing their dangers. But the Romans, active at home and in the field, prepared with alacrity for their defense. They encouraged one another, and hurried to meet the enemy. They protected, with their arms, their liberty, their country, and their homes. And when they had at length repelled danger by valor, they lent assistance to their allies and supporters, and procured friendships rather by bestowing favors than by receiving them. They had a government regulated by laws. The denomination of their government was monarchy. Chosen men, whose bodies might be enfeebled by years, but whose minds were vigorous in understanding, formed the council of the state; and these, whether from their age, or from the similarity of their duty, were called FATHERS. But afterward, when the monarchical power, which had been originally established for the protection of liberty, and for the promotion of the public interest, had degenerated into tyranny and oppression, they changed their plan, and appointed two magistrates, with power only annual; for they conceived that, by this method, the human mind would be least likely to grow overbearing for want of control.
7	Sed ea tempestate coepere se quisque magis extollere magisque ingenium in promptu habere . Nam regibus boni quam mali suspectiores sunt semperque iis aliena virtus formidulosa est . Sed civitas incredibile memoratu est , adepta libertate , quantum brevi creverit : tanta cupido gloriae incesserat . Iam primum iuventus , simul ac belli patiens erat , in castris per laborem usum militiae discebat magisque in decoris armis et militaribus equis quam in scortis atque conviviis lubidinem habebant . Igitur talibus viris non labor insolitus , non locus ullus asper aut arduus erat , non armatus hostis formidulosus : virtus omnia domuerat . Sed gloriae maxumum certamen inter ipsos erat : se quisque hostem ferire , murum ascendere , conspici , dum tale facinus faceret , properabat . Eas divitias , eam bonam famam magnamque nobilitatem putabant . Laudis avidi , pecuniae liberales erant , gloriam ingentem , divitias honestas volebant . Memorare possum , quibus in locis maxumas hostium copias populus Romanus parva manu fuderit , quas urbis natura munitas pugnando ceperit , ni ea res longius nos ab incepto traheret .	At this period every citizen began to seek distinction, and to display his talents with greater freedom; for, with princes, the meritorious are greater objects of suspicion than the undeserving, and to them the worth of others is a source of alarm. But when liberty was secured, it is almost incredible how much the state strengthened itself in a short space of time, so strong a passion for distinction had pervaded it. Now, for the first time, the youth, as soon as they were able to bear the toil of war, acquired military skill by actual service in the camp, and took pleasure rather in splendid arms and military steeds than in the society of mistresses and convivial indulgence. To such men no toil was unusual, no place was difficult or inaccessible, no armed enemy was formidable; their valor had overcome every thing. But among themselves the grand rivalry was for glory; each sought to be first to wound an enemy, to scale a wall, and to be noticed while performing such an exploit. Distinction such as this they regarded as wealth, honor, and true nobility. They were covetous of praise, but liberal of money; they desired competent riches but boundless glory. I could mention, but that the account would draw me too far from my subject, places in which the Roman people, with a small body of men, routed vast armies of the enemy; and cities, which, though fortified by nature, they carried by assault.
8	Sed profecto fortuna in omni re dominatur ; ea res cunctas ex lubidine magis quam ex vero celebrat obscuratque . Atheniensium res gestae , sicuti ego aestumo , satis amplae magnificaeque fuere , verum aliquanto minores tamen , quam fama feruntur . Sed quia provenere ibi scriptorum magna ingenia , per terrarum orbem Atheniensium facta pro maxumis celebrantur . Ita eorum , qui fecere , virtus tanta habetur , quantum eam verbis potuere extollere praeclara ingenia . At populo Romano numquam ea copia fuit , quia prudentissumus quisque maxume negotiosus erat : ingenium nemo sine corpore exercebat , optumus quisque facere quam dicere , sua ab aliis bene facta laudari quam ipse aliorum narrare malebat .	But, assuredly, Fortune rules in all things. She makes every thing famous or obscure rather from caprice than in conformity with truth. The exploits of the Athenians, as far as I can judge, were very great and glorious, something inferior to what fame has represented them. But because writers of great talent flourished there, the actions of the Athenians are celebrated over the world as the most splendid achievements. Thus, the merit of those who have acted is estimated at the highest point to which illustrious intellects could exalt it in their writings. But among the Romans there was never any such abundance of writers; for, with them, the most able men were the most actively employed. No one exercised the mind independently of the body: every man of ability chose to act rather than narrate, and was more desirous that his own merits should be celebrated by others, than that he himself should record theirs.
9	Igitur domi militiaeque boni mores colebantur ; concordia maxuma , minuma avaritia erat ; ius bonumque apud eos non legibus magis quam natura valebat . Iurgia , discordias , simultates cum hostibus exercebant , cives cum civibus de virtute certabant . In suppliciis deorum magnifici , domi parci , in amicos fideles erant . Duabus his artibus , audacia in bello , ubi pax evenerat , aequitate , seque remque publicam curabant . Quarum rerum ego maxuma documenta haec habeo , quod in bello saepius vindicatum est in eos , qui contra imperium in hostem pugnaverant quique tardius revocati proelio excesserant , quam qui signa relinquere aut pulsi loco cedere ausi erant ; in pace vero , quod beneficiis magis quam metu imperium agitabant et accepta iniuria ignoscere quam persequi malebant .	Good morals, accordingly, were cultivated in the city and in the camp. There was the greatest possible concord, and the least possible avarice. Justice and probity prevailed among the citizens, not more from the influence of the laws than from natural inclination. They displayed animosity, enmity, and resentment only against the enemy. Citizens contended with citizens in nothing but honor. They were magnificent in their religious services, frugal in their families, and steady in their friendships. By these two virtues, intrepidity in war, and equity in peace, they maintained themselves and their state. Of their exercise of which virtues, I consider these as the greatest proofs; that, in war, punishment was oftener inflicted on those who attacked an enemy contrary to orders, and who, when commanded to retreat, retired too slowly from the contest, than on those who had dared to desert their standards, or, when pressed by the enemy, to abandon their posts; and that, in peace, they governed more by conferring benefits than by exciting terror, and, when they received an injury, chose rather to pardon than to revenge it.
10	Sed ubi labore atque iustitia res publica crevit , reges magni bello domiti , nationes ferae et populi ingentes vi subacti , Carthago , aemula imperi Romani , ab stirpe interiit , cuncta maria terraeque patebant , saevire fortuna ac miscere omnia coepit . Qui labores , pericula , dubias atque asperas res facile toleraverant , iis otium divitiaeque optanda alias , oneri miseriaeque fuere . Igitur primo pecuniae , deinde imperi cupido crevit : ea quasi materies omnium malorum fuere . Namque avaritia fidem , probitatem ceterasque artis bonas subvortit ; pro his superbiam , crudelitatem , deos neglegere , omnia venalia habere edocuit . Ambitio multos mortalis falsos fieri subegit , aliud clausum in pectore , aliud in lingua promptum habere , amicitias inimicitiasque non ex re , sed ex commodo aestumare magisque voltum quam ingenium bonum habere . Haec primo paulatim crescere , interdum vindicari ; post , ubi contagio quasi pestilentia invasit , civitas immutata , imperium ex iustissumo atque optumo crudele intolerandumque factum .	But when, by perseverance and integrity, the republic had increased its power; when mighty princes had been vanquished in war; when barbarous tribes and populous states had been reduced to subjection; when Carthage, the rival of Rome's dominion, had been utterly destroyed, and sea and land lay every where open to her sway, Fortune then began to exercise her tyranny, and to introduce universal innovation. To those who had easily endured toils, dangers, and doubtful and difficult circumstances, ease and wealth, the objects of desire to others, became a burden and a trouble. At first the love of money, and then that of power, began to prevail, and these became, as it were, the sources of every evil. For avarice subverted honesty, integrity, and other honorable principles, and, in their stead, inculcated pride, inhumanity, contempt of religion, and general venality. Ambition prompted many to become deceitful; to keep one thing concealed in the breast, and another ready on the tongue; to estimate friendships and enmities, not by their worth, but according to interest; and to carry rather a specious countenance than an honest heart. These vices at first advanced but slowly, and were sometimes restrained by correction; but afterward, when their infection had spread like a pestilence, the state was entirely changed, and the government, from being the most equitable and praiseworthy, became rapacious and insupportable.