Catiline Conspiracy

Lucius Sergius Catilina (108-62 BCE), also known as Catiline, attempted to overthrow the Roman Republic by a Coup d’Etat, and planned to assassinate the leading Senators including Cicero.
When he was denounced by Cicero, Catiline fled Rome and raised an army in Etruria, but he was defeated and killed in battle.

Between 90-88 BCE, he fought in the Social War under Strabo, with Cicero.
Between 84-81 BCE, he supported Sulla.
In 73 BCE, he was put on Trial for Adultery with one of the Vestal Virgins who was related to Cicero. He was aquitted.
In 71 BCE, he was accused of murdering his Wife and Son, in order to remarry the Consul‘s daughter.
In 68 BCE, he was elected Praetor
Between 68-66 BCE, he was elected Governor of Africa.
He rallied the Poor to his political cause by promising a Plan for Relief from Debt.
In 66 BCE, he stood for election as Consul, but was disbarred after a delegation from Africa revealed his corrupt Rule in the Province.
In 65 BCE, he was put on Trial for his corruption in Africa, but was acquitted.
In 64 BCE, Cato the Younger put on Trial everyone involved in the Proscription under Sulla. Catiline was accused of murdering his brother-in-law and carrying his head through the streets of Rome. He was acquitted.

In 63 BCE, Catiline devised a Plot to assassinate Cicero on November 7th. Cicero was warned, however, and foiled the attempt.
The next day, Cicero gave the first of his Catiline Orations before the Roman Senate, where he denounced Catiline. Catiline fled to Etruria where he had raised an Army.
A Delegation to Rome from the Allobriges from Vienne in Gallia Transalpina, was promised independence from their Governor by the Conspirators. They received letters from the Conspirators confirming their support.
December 63 BCE. These letters were intercepted and seized as they left Rome. Cicero then read the letters out to the Roman Senate as proof of the Conspiracy. The Conspirators were executed the same day in the Mamertine Prison.
Catiline’s Army of 10,000 men evaporated on hearing the news.
Finally, in 62 BCE, the remnants of his Army were met by 3 Legions under Quintus Caecilius Metellus Celer, and defeated with Catiline being killed in the Battle.

Catiline’s failed attempt to overthrow the Roman Republic in a coup d’etat intrigued the Romans for centuries afterwards.
Catiline was vilified by all subsequent Roman Historians.

O Tempora O Mores ‘Oh what times! Oh what customs!’
Cicero was criticising the lax attitudes and backward times, that permitted Catiline to remain alive. Catiline was accused of Treason, but had not been executed.