Chapter 61: Catalina’s Rebellion (1)
Chapter 61: Catalina’s Rebellion (1)
“The most troublesome senators are Silanus and Cicero,” one of Catiline's supporters said.
“True. Cato has also gained significant influence recently, but Silanus and Cicero remain the biggest obstacles,” another agreed.
“If they were out of the way, the remaining senators wouldn't be able to act so arrogantly,” someone added.
“Why don’t we just eliminate all the troublemakers?” suggested another.
The conversation among Catiline’s supporters was clearly plotting rebellion. Despite the gravity of the situation, no one hesitated or showed fear. Their anger and bloodlust fueled increasingly radical ideas, including the suggestion to kill all the tribunes who had veto power.
Catiline’s chief adviser, Eustus, attempted to steer the meeting toward reason.
“Everyone, we need to stay rational at times like this. I understand the desire to eliminate anyone opposing the bill, but we don’t have the means to act on that yet.”
Catiline, irritated, bit his tongue but acknowledged Eustus’s point.
“Eustus is right. Killing those two is risky enough. Adding the tribunes to the list is too burdensome. We also need to consider the public's reaction; assassinating the tribunes could backfire,” Catiline said.
“Exactly. We must focus on eliminating Silanus and Cicero first. The method of their assassination needs to be carefully planned to avoid detection,” Manlius, experienced under Sulla, said, calming the group.
“Yes, we must ensure we can’t be traced. If we’re caught, the effort will be wasted,” another supporter agreed.
Catiline closed his eyes and considered the plan. After a moment, he proposed a strategy.
“Politicians, including consuls, typically receive many visitors in the morning. We could send assassins during that time. Some would create a diversion, while others would carry out the killings.”
Eustus began outlining the plan on a sheet of paper.
“This operation must be flawless. We need to detail every aspect: the routes for the assassins, the method of assassination based on the targets' behavior and location, escape routes, and responses to unexpected situations. We must also prepare for the worst-case scenario: if the assassination fails and we are caught.”
“Agreed. Let’s select individuals who are hard to trace back to us. It will take at least three or four days to prepare,” another supporter said.
“Then we should observe how Silanus and Cicero receive their visitors in the morning over the next few days. Creating a detailed diagram of their routines will improve our chances of success,” Eustus advised.
“Good. I look forward to finally getting rid of that annoying newcomer,” Catiline said, ending the discussion.
The plan for assassination was set into motion, despite the unthinkable nature of targeting a sitting consul and a former consul. Catiline’s position as consul protected him from direct action, but the Senate’s attempts to address him were hampered by his constant presence with guards and supporters.
He had stopped receiving visitors in the morning a long time ago.
This was the aftermath of a chaotic conversation where no one could predict the next developments.
※※※※
After three days of careful observation, Catiline’s party finalized their assassination plan.
During this time, Catiline continued his usual Senate routine, drawing attention to himself. The senators condemned his shamelessness but remained unaware of his plot. They were perplexed by his persistent proposal of the debt cancellation bill, despite knowing it would never pass. Few suspected he was planning a full-scale overthrow.
As Catiline continued his routine, his supporters completed their preparations. Confident in their plan to eliminate Silanus and Cicero, the assassins concealed daggers and poison beneath their togas and made their way to the mansions of their targets. They were prepared to take poison themselves if the assassination failed.
However, an unexpected complication arose. The gates of Silanus and Cicero’s homes, previously open, were now tightly shut. The assassins, who had planned to blend in with the morning visitors, were now unable to enter the mansions.
With no way to execute their plan, the assassins were forced to retreat in failure. Catiline, caught off guard by the plan’s failure, was thrown into disarray. To make matters worse, Silanus and Cicero seemed to have sensed something amiss and promptly convened a Senate meeting.
Catiline attended the meeting with his usual façade of innocence, trying to avoid suspicion. This time, however, he couldn’t simply pretend to be unaware.
Silanus and Cicero, visibly enraged, showed no effort to conceal their anger. Silanus confronted Catiline directly.
“Catiline, I received reports of suspicious individuals lurking outside my house yesterday. I understand Cicero had a similar experience. Do you have any explanation for this?”
Catiline shrugged nonchalantly.
“How would I know? It’s only natural for people to flock to the houses of high-ranking officials. They must have come to see you and left empty-handed.”
Silanus glared at Catiline, unimpressed by his response.
“No. Cicero and I had already notified our clients that we would stop receiving visitors as of yesterday. We also discreetly informed the other senators. Everyone except you should have known about this.”
“Heh, is that so? So what? What are you trying to say?”
“Are you still denying it? Those suspicious individuals must have been sent by you.”
Catiline’s eyes twitched slightly, showing his unease at the implication that there might be some evidence against him.
Cicero rose from his seat and supported Silanus’s accusation.
“Catiline, how long will you continue pretending ignorance? In this escalating situation of social unrest, who else but you, who orchestrates the thugs from behind the scenes, would have a motive to harm me and Silanus?”
“I knew you had a vivid imagination, but I never thought you would resort to such delusions. You’re accusing someone of being a potential murderer simply for hanging around outside your house. Do you have any proof? You only have a flimsy excuse that I wasn’t aware of your schedule.”
“What do you mean by confession? How can you, the greatest lawyer in Rome, accuse an innocent man with no evidence?”
Catiline refused to admit anything, believing Cicero and Silanus had no concrete proof. He saw no reason to confess, given the circumstances.
Cicero sighed and rubbed his forehead, frustrated by Catiline’s defiant attitude.
“Don’t deceive yourself, Catiline. I’m not bluffing when I urge you to confess. I’m trying to prevent a worst-case scenario where a consul attempts to assassinate his colleague and ends up exposed. You may not care about your honor or reputation, but we have a responsibility to lead the citizens. Confess, Catiline. End this dreadful plot now.”
“You’re still spouting nonsense. If you keep this up, I’ll use my consul authority to expel you from the meeting.”
“Then let me say this one last time. Silanus and I will accuse you in a month. If you truly believe we have no evidence, resist if you must. But if you confess, I promise you exile as your punishment. However, if your crimes are exposed in court, the penalty will be far harsher.”
“You called a meeting just to deliver this message? My answer remains unchanged. Do whatever you want in a month!”
Fuming, Catiline stormed out of the Senate hall. The remaining senators approached Cicero and Silanus, filled with concern and curiosity.
“Is it true that Catiline sent assassins to kill both of you?”
“Shouldn’t you accuse him immediately if you have solid evidence?”
The senators bombarded Cicero and Silanus with questions, filled with worry and doubt, but Cicero remained unfazed.
He wore a relaxed smile, seemingly at ease.
“Don’t worry. I definitely want to condemn Catiline as soon as possible. However, the Senate has already shown too much public conflict. What I said to Catiline was sincere. I hope to resolve this situation peacefully by encouraging him to confess.”
“But it seems like Catiline won’t listen to you.”
“If that’s the case, then we have no choice. Though it might not be ideal, we may have to depose the consul. It’s unprecedented and will cause significant chaos, but we have no other option.”
Most senators praised Cicero for his commitment to the Senate’s dignity. Even Cato agreed that it was a rational and calm decision and supported Cicero’s approach.
Amid the supportive crowd, Cicero’s attention shifted to one corner of the room. There stood Crassus, who had been quietly observing the situation throughout.
Crassus’s eyes seemed to ask, Is that enough?
Crassus smiled slightly and nodded, his inscrutable expression conveying approval.
That’s enough, his smile seemed to say.
Cicero turned his gaze back and felt a sense of relief. The fact that Crassus endorsed the plan meant that those who had devised it were confident in its success.
At that moment, Cicero's most trusted figure was not Crassus, but someone else.
On his way back from the meeting, Cicero thought more deeply about that person.
Marcus.
He could not forget the shocking conversation he had with Marcus two days earlier.
Cicero glanced up at the sky. A dim full moon was rising slowly, promising a beautiful, star-lit night.
Just like the moon that would illuminate the sky of Rome, Cicero was confident that the future of the republic would also be bright. His heart was filled with this conviction.
※※※※
After leaving the Senate hall, Catiline immediately gathered his supporters.
Despite his composed demeanor in front of the senators, he was anxious behind closed doors.
“Did they say they had evidence?”
Manlius asked incredulously.
Catiline’s voice was hoarse as he replied.
“That’s what they claimed. It might be a bluff, but they seemed too confident.”
“It’s a lie. If they had real evidence, they would have acted immediately. They’re setting a deadline to force you into a confession, trying to shake you up.”
“That… might be true. But considering Cicero’s personality, it’s understandable that he didn’t accuse me right away…”
The Senate was full of individuals who valued their honor and pride above all else. Newcomers like Cicero had to demonstrate an understanding of these values.
In that context, Cicero’s approach made sense.
Even Eustus seemed to concur with Catiline’s view.
“It’s possible. Cicero might actually have evidence.”
“What makes you think that?” Manlius asked impatiently.
If it was true that they had attempted to assassinate the current and former consuls, the situation was serious. They might need to flee the city at any moment.
Everyone in the room stared at Eustus with tense expressions.
“What I find suspicious,” Eustus began, “is that Cicero and Silanus stopped receiving visitors immediately after we finalized our assassination plan. They also secretly informed their clients about this. So, the only people who could be considered suspicious are those we sent.”
“That’s true,” Manlius agreed. “It’s too coincidental to be just a coincidence.”
“Do you think our plan was leaked beforehand? If so, you know what that implies.”
Everyone in the room swallowed nervously.
If their carefully planned assassination plot had been leaked, it meant only one thing:
There was a traitor among them.
Supporters exchanged worried glances. If they left this unchecked, their trust in one another could be severely damaged.
Eustus spoke up quickly.
“It’s possible that some part of the plan leaked out, but I don’t believe anyone here betrayed us. If the details had been leaked, the assassins would have been caught on the spot. Perhaps only a portion of the plan was revealed during execution.”
“That makes sense,” said Manlius.
“But if there is any evidence tying us to this plot, it will be a major problem,” Eustus added.
Hearing this, Manlius slammed his fist on the table.
“We can’t afford to waste time. Catiline, you need to make a decision.”
Everyone understood what Manlius meant by “make a decision” — it implied starting an armed uprising.
Catiline muttered in resignation, “Is there no other way…”
Manlius nodded vigorously, and the other key figures also voiced their agreement.
“Given the situation, there’s a high chance that Cicero’s warning is not a bluff. We can’t just sit idle.”
“Fortunately, they’ve given us a month’s grace. That should be enough time to gather our forces, don’t you think?”
Catiline turned to Eustus with a determined look, seeking his input.
“Is it possible?” Catiline asked.
“Yes,” Eustus replied. “But are you really going to do it?”
“If I confess, I’ll be ruined anyway. So I have to choose the option with the highest chance of success,” Catiline said resolutely.
“I see. Then I have a plan I’ve been considering. Do you want to hear it?” Eustus asked.
“Oh, you already have something in mind?” Catiline leaned forward eagerly, showing his lack of scheming talent.
Manlius, who was skilled only in military matters, also focused intently on Eustus’s words.
“No matter what anyone says, Catiline is still the consul of Rome. We need to leverage this as much as possible if we’re going to start a rebellion.”
Everyone listened attentively to Eustus.
He surveyed the room and spoke with confidence.
“A month is enough time to gather our supporters in Tuscany. But this time, we must be more secretive, as it would be disastrous if our plan were leaked. If Catiline writes me a letter of authorization, I’ll handle the arrangements.”
“I’d be grateful if you did that. I’ll gladly write it for you. So, once we secretly bring our supporters to Rome, what’s the next step?” Catiline asked.
“First, we need to eliminate all our major opponents, such as Cicero, Silanus, and Cato. Then, we must secure the loyalty of the remaining senators and convene the Senate. At that point, we’ll appoint Catiline as dictator and restore order in Rome. Since Catiline is the consul, he can easily become dictator if the Senate agrees.”
The plan was reminiscent of what Sulla and Marius had done before. The difference was whether they would invade Rome with an army or start an armed uprising from within.
Catiline, impressed by the plan, asked eagerly, “Is it possible to secure the loyalty of the senators?”
“It’s not feasible to capture all the senators at once, but it’s possible if we move as discreetly as we can. Moreover, the consul has the power to command the army. If we eliminate Silanus and capture some influential senators, we can grant imperium to Catiline. Then the remaining senators will be less likely to rebel.”
“A clear-cut method,” Manlius said, applauding the plan.
Catiline and his other supporters showed no objections. The plan was decided, and now they needed to work out the details.
They began discussing which individuals to kill and which to capture. Silanus, Cicero, and Cato were unanimously chosen for elimination.
Catiline also proposed targeting Caesar for assassination. No one objected, as they resented him for his debts and lack of cooperation.
Names continued to be mentioned, with those senators known for their wealth being discussed most frequently.
During the discussion, Manlius brought up a critical point.
“What about Crassus?”
Catiline hesitated. He owed Crassus a favor, but Crassus was an outsider in their faction. Furthermore, killing him and seizing his wealth would be advantageous for future governance.
Yet, Catiline was unsure if it was a practical move.
Eustus noticed Catiline’s hesitation and offered his perspective.
“It’s better not to involve the Crassus family. His mansion is heavily guarded, almost like a fortress. Moreover, Crassus’s eldest son is protected by Spartacus. We would need to commit most of our forces just to breach his defenses. Is it worth the risk just to take down Crassus?”
“That makes sense,” Catiline said.
“Eustus is right. Let’s pressure Crassus with an army. If he agrees to give up half of his wealth, we’ll spare him,” Manlius proposed.
“Then let’s leave Crassus alone for now,” Catiline agreed.
With that decision, the list of those to be eliminated was finalized. They didn’t just note the names of those who needed to die but also detailed the methods for each assassination.
Catiline stood up from his seat, his resolve firm.
The plan was set to execute three days before Cicero announced his accusations. Catiline would personally lead the rebels, assuming the role of dictator and taking control of Rome.
The grand revolution promised to fulfill Catiline’s ambitious dreams of power.