1.14 to 1.30

Massacre of leading citizens in Rome thwarted (Cicero Cat. 1. 7) Following reports of military activity in the country but still playing the stunned innocent, Catiline offered himself to the care of Cicero or Metullus (custodia libera )as a sign of his "good faith." Both declined his offer. (Sallust) Late October: Cicero sends quaestor P. Sestius to secure Capua (Cicero Sest. 9) November 1: Attempt by conspirators to seize Praeneste (c. 20 miles southeast of Rome) fails (Cicero Cat. 1. 8) Senate learns of uprising at Faesulae. Military commanders dispatched to threatened areas. Rewards offered for betrayal of conspiracy. (Sallust Cat. 30) Early November: L. Aemilius Paulus indicts Catiline under lex Plautia de vi . (Sallust Cat. 31. 4) November 6: A meeting of the conspirators was called in the evening at the house of M. Porcius Laeca. It was decided that Catiline would leave Rome and head for Etruria in order to prepare to march on Rome with his army. Catiline and his men also decided how to split up Italy, choosing certain sections to be attacked by specific men. The conspirators would also try to enlist the help of the gladiators at Capua. The final plan of action was to have two men greet Cicero the following morning and assassinate him, which also failed. (Sallust Cat. 27. 3) November 7: Cicero avoided an morning assassination attempt made by the conspirators. He had been informed of the attempt by Fulvia, the aristocratic mistress of one of Catiline's supporters, and had his house well fortified. (Cicero &Sallust Cat. 28. 1-3) November 8: Senate meets at temple of Jupiter Stator. Cicero delivers First Catilinarian ,urging Catiline to leave Rome. (Sallust Cat. 31. 5-6) Catiline showed up and sat in the senate that day as if nothing was wrong, but he ended up sitting alone. He gave a speech in response to Cicero, calling for the senators to look at his ancestry, which was extremely ancient and powerful, and to look as well at the lack of proof that Cicero had. However, the Senate, angry at his actions, shouted him down. (Sallust) Catiline fled Rome. Some of his fellow conspirators stayed in Rome, while others, such as Tongilius, Publicius, and Minucius, traveled with him to Etruria. Along the way he stopped in Forum Aurelium, and then in Arctium, and gave out weapons to the people. Catiline took up the insignia of the consul, and also carried with him the silver eagle standard of Rome. (Sallust Cat. 32. 1 &36. 1)