unsatisfactory
settlement. But there were some that endeavored to alter and subvert the
whole present state of affairs, not from any good motives, but for their
own private gain; and Pompey being at this time employed in the wars
with the kings of Pontus and Armenia, there was no sufficient force
at Rome to suppress any attempts at a revolution. These people had
for their head a man of bold, daring, and restless character, Lucius
Catiline, who was accused, besides other great offences, of killing his
own brother; and fearing to be prosecuted at law, he persuaded Sylla to
set his brother down, as though he were yet alive, amongst those
that were to be put to death by proscription. This man the profligate
citizens choosing for their captain, gave faith to one another, amongst
other pledges, by sacrificing a man and eating of his flesh; and a great
part of the young men of the city were corrupted by him, he providing
for every one pleasures and drink, and profusely supplying the expense
of their debauches. Etruria, moreover, had all been excited to revolt,
as well as a great part of Gaul within the Alps. But Rome itself was
in the most dangerous inclination to change on account of the unequal
distribution of wealth and property, those of highest rank and greatest
spirit having impoverished themselves by shows, entertainments, running
for office, and sumptuous buildings, and the riches of the city had thus
fallen into the hands of mean and low-born persons. So that it required
but a slight impetus to set all in motion, it being in the power of any
daring man to overturn a sickly commonwealth.

Catiline, however, being desirous of procuring a strong position to
carry out his designs, stood for the consulship, and had great hopes
of success, thinking he should be appointed, with Caius Antonius as his
colleague, who was a man fit to lead neither in a good cause nor in
a bad one, but might be a valuable accession to another's power. The
greater part of the good and honest citizens apprehending these things,
put Cicero upon standing for the consulship; whom the people readily
receiving, Catiline was put by, so that he and Caius Antonius were
chosen, although amongst the competitors he was the only man descended
from the father of the equestrian, and not of the senatorial, order.

Though the designs of Catiline were not yet publicly known, yet
considerable trouble immediately followed Cicero's entrance upon the
consulship. For,