1.52 to 1.63

December 15: Massive desertions in Catiline's army following news of conspirators' execution in Rome. (Sallust Cat. 57. 1) December 25: Q. Metellus Celer blocks Catiline's attempt to break out of Etruria into Cisalpine Gaul. (Sallust Cat. 57. 1-3) December 29: Cicero is prevented by tribunes Bestia and Metellus Nepos from addressing People when laying down office on grounds that he had executed Roman citizens without trial. January 3, 62 B. C.: Tribune Q. Metellus Nepos proposes law recalling Pompey to put down Catiline. The proposal is vetoed and rioting follows. The Senate passes the senatus consultum ultimum and Nepos leaves Rome to join Pompey in the East. (Dio 37. 43; Cicero Fam. 5. 2. 8) Early January 62: Catiline tried to move his troops through the Apennines but was met there by Metellus Celer, with Antonius and his army coming from the rear. Catiline arrives near Pistoria (with about 3,000 men -Dio 37. 40. 1) and is crushed by Antonius' army under command of legate M. Petreius. (Sallust Cat. 57. 5-61) After the death of Catiline on the battlefield, Cicero left his office at the peak of his political power and popularity. He was honored with the title pater patriae for having saved the country from ruin with his oratory and swift action. (Cicero) Based on Anatomy of a Conspiracy with many additions.