Roman Civilization

CMS 206 /History 206

Prosecuted again in 65, after Manilius had been convicted, Cornelius was represented by Cicero. The prosecution was supported by leading conservative and anti-Pompeian senators: Metellus Pius, Hortensius, M'. Lepidus, Catulus and the Luculli. The de maiestate charge was based on Cornelius' refusal to respect another tribune's veto during the procedural skirmishes over the election reform law of 67 B.C.E. If Cicero's defense was not enough, Cornelius' acquittal was secured when the offended tribune, Servilius Globulus appeared on his behalf.

Cotta and Torquatus became consuls in 65. Crassus and Q. Catulus entered the office of censor in 65, and Caesar was aedile. His aedileship was marked by extraordinarily lavish games (paid for, it is believed, by Crassus) at which he displayed the heretofore banished Marian trophies of his family. Crassus proposed annexing Egypt to Rome and extending the franchise to the Transpadanes. Catulus blocked these moves, however. Eventually, both Crassus and Catulus resigned their office without completing the census.

Cicero, in 65, contemplated representing Catiline at trial, hoping the two could then campaign together for consul (Ad Att. 1.2), but instead Torquatus, the retiring counsel appeared for Catiline (Pro Sulla. 81). The trial prevented Catiline from running for consul in 65. Ex-consuls testified on Catiline's behalf at the trial (Pro Sulla, 81). Although this level of senatorial support explains Catiline's acquittal, Cicero later charged that it was effected by collusion between Catiline, and his prosecutor, Clodius (de Har. Resp. 42). [Gruen argues that the charge is belied by evidence that Clodius felt a personal animosity against Catiline, having prosecuted him in 73 for incestum, and having supported Cicero in the Catilinarian affair in 63. p. 271. However, it cannot be clearly demonstrated that Catiline was a defendant in the incestum prosecution. Marshall, p. 310, n. 92.19-20].