[B.C. 62 (a.u. 692)]

[-39-] For that he incurred all the greater hatred.  Catiline met his doom at the very opening of the year in which Junius Silanus and Lucius Licinius held office.  For a while, although he had no small force, he watched the movements of Lentulus and delayed, in the hope that if Cicero and his adherents should be slain in good season he could easily execute his remaining designs.  But when he ascertained that Lentulus had perished and that many of his followers had deserted for that reason, he was compelled to risk the uttermost, especially as Antonius and Metellus Celer, who were besieging Faesulae, did not allow him to advance in any direction.  He proceeded, therefore, against Antonius—­the two were separately encamped—­although the latter had greater renown than Metellus and was invested with greater power.  The reason was that Catiline had hopes of his letting himself be beaten in order to fulfill the demands of his oath.

[-40-] The latter, who suspected this, no longer felt kindly toward Catiline, because he was weak; for most men form both friendships and enmities with reference to persons’ influence and to individual advantage.  Furthermore, being afraid that the arch-conspirator, when he saw them fighting earnestly, might utter some reproach and bring to light things that should not be mentioned, he pretended to be sick and confided the conduct of the battle to Marcus Petreius.  This commander joined battle with them and not without bloodshed cut down Catiline and three thousand others while fighting most valiantly.  No one of them fled, but every man fell at his post.  Even the victors mourned their common loss, inasmuch as they had destroyed (no matter how justly) so many and such brave men, who were citizens and allies.  His head Antonius sent to the city in order that its inhabitants might believe in his death and have no further fear.  He himself was named imperator for the victory, although the number of the slaughtered was smaller than usual.  Sacrifices of oxen were also voted, and the people changed their raiment to signify their deliverance from all dangers.

[-41-] Nevertheless, the allies who had shared the undertaking with Catiline and still survived after that did not remain quiet, but through fear of punishment created disturbances.  Against each division of them praetors were sent, overcame them in season, while still in a way scattered, and punished them.  Others that were avoiding observation were convicted and condemned on information from Lucius Vettius, a knight, who had taken part in the conspiracy but now on promise of immunity revealed them.  This went on until, after having impeached some men and written their names on a tablet, he desired the privilege of writing in others.  The senators suspected that he was not dealing fair and would not give him the document again for fear he should erase some names, but had him mention orally all he had omitted.  Then in shame and fear he made known only a few others.