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Lines 1.50-1.53
Greek and Roman Historians, The Conspiracy of Catiline 1.50-53
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Finally, Marcus Porcius Cato, tribune-elect for 62 B. C., rose and with his powerful oratory brought home to his audience the dangers of Caesar's suggestion. His personal authority and the force of his logic won the day, and he sat down to general applause. Cicero put Cato's motion proposing the punishment of death to the vote and it was carried by a large majority.
There was no delay in putting the decision into effect. Fearful that attempts might be made to rescue the condemned men, Cicero personally conducted Lentulus to the Tullianum while the praetors escorted Gabinius. With them was Ceparius who had been caught shortly after the others. There they wee all strangled and the waiting crowd heard the consul's announcement that the conspirator's lives were over.
Praise and honors were now heaped upon Cicero. Catulus and Cato hailed him as "Pater Patriae", and the former censor Lucius Gellius moved that he be granted the "civic crown" for saving the lives of citizens. On his journey home through the Forum after the executions the people hailed him as the savior and second founder of the State, and that night lights shone at every door.
This praise was not to last long. On the 10th of December Quintus Caecilius Metellus Nepos entered the office of tribune and declared at a public meeting that a man who had executed citizens without trial should not be allowed to speak. On the 31st of December Cicero was about to make the customary speech to the people at the end of his consulship, he was compelled by Nepos to confine himself to the oath that he had faithfully performed the duties of his office. Cicero, however, was able on this occasion to turn the tables upon his opponent and swore that he alone had saved the State. His oath was greeted by the people with thunderous applause and he was again escorted home by the loyal citizens of Rome. Three days later, on the 3rd of January, Nepos attacked him in the House, but the Senate passed a resolution indemnifying all who had acted against the conspirators.