he had consumed by evil practices, and was eager for other similar exploits.  Afranius, returning through Mesopotamia to Syria, contrary to the agreement made with the Parthian, [B.C. 65] wandered from the way and endured much evil by reason of the winter and lack of supplies.  Indeed, he would have perished, had not Carraeans, colonists of the Macedonians who dwelt somewhere in that vicinity, supported him and helped him forward.

[-31-] While they were making these preparations, information came to Cicero, first of what was occurring in the city, through some letters which did not indicate the writer but were given to Crassus and some other influential men.  On their publication a decree was passed that a state of disorder existed and that a search should be made for those responsible for it.  Next came the news from Etruria, whereupon they voted to the consuls in addition the guardianship of the city and of all its interests, as they had been accustomed to have:  for to this decree was subjoined the command that they should take care that no injury happen to the republic.  When this had been done and a garrison stationed at many points, there was no further sign of revolution in the city, insomuch that Cicero was even falsely charged with sycophancy; but messages from the Etruscans confirmed the accusation, and thereupon he prepared an indictment for violence against Catiline.

[-32-] The latter at first accepted it with entire readiness as if supported by a good conscience, and made ready for the trial, even offering to surrender himself to Cicero so that the latter could watch and see that he did not escape anywhere.  As Cicero, however, refused to take charge of him, he voluntarily took up his residence at the house of Metellus the praetor, in order that he might be as free as possible from the suspicion of promoting a revolution until he should gain some additional strength from the conspirators in that very town.  But he made no headway at all, because Antonius through fear shrank back and Lentulus was anything but an energetic sort of person.  Accordingly, he gave them notice to assemble by night in a particular house, where he met them without Metellus’s knowledge and upbraided them for their timorousness and weakness.  Next he set forth in detail how great punishments they would suffer if they were detected and how many desirable things they would obtain if successful, and by means so encouraged and incited them, that two men promised to rush into Cicero’s house at daybreak and murder him there.

[-33-] Information of this, too, was given in advance:  for Cicero, being a man of influence, had through his speeches by either conciliation or intimidation gained many followers, who reported such occurrences to him:  and the senate voted that Catiline should leave the city.  The latter was glad enough to withdraw on this excuse and went to Faesulae, where he prepared an out and out war.  He took the consular name and dress and proceeded to organize the men previously collected by Mallius, meanwhile gaining accessions first of freemen, and second of slaves.