A certain Lucius Tarquinius was now captured, who gave information tallying with what was already published, but further incriminated Crassus.  Crassus, however, was so wealthy, and had so many of the senate in his power, that even those who believed the charge to be true, thought it politic to pronounce it a gross fabrication.  The danger of an attempted rescue of Lentulus brought on a debate as to what should be done with the prisoners.  Caesar, from whatever motive, spoke forcibly against any unconstitutional action which, however justified by the enormity of the prisoners’ guilt, might become a dangerous precedent.  In his opinion, the wise course would be to confiscate the property of the prisoners, and to place their persons in custody not in Rome, but in provincial towns.

Caesar’s humanitarian statesmanship was answered by the grave austerity of Cato.  “The question for us is not that of punishing a crime, but of preserving the state—­or of what the degenerate Roman of to-day cares for more than the state, our lives and property.  To speak of clemency and compassion is an abuse of terms only too common, when vices are habitually dignified with the names of virtues.  Let us for once act with vigour and decision, and doom these convicted traitors to the death they deserve.”  The decree of death was carried to immediate execution.  In the meantime, Catiline had raised a force numbering two legions, but not more than a quarter of them were properly armed.  He remained in the hills, refusing to give battle to Antonius.

On hearing the fate of Lentulus and the rest, he attempted to retreat to Gaul, but this movement was anticipated and intercepted by Metellus Celer, who was posted at Picenum with three legions.  With Antonius pressing on his rear, Catiline resolved to hazard all on a desperate engagement.  In exhorting his troops, he dwelt on the fact that men fighting for life and liberty were more than a match for a foe who had infinitely less at stake.

Thus brought to bay, Catiline’s soldiers met the attack of the government troops with furious valour, their leader setting a brilliant example of desperate daring, and the most vigilant and vigorous generalship.  But Petreius, on the other side, directed his force against the rebel centre, shattered it, and took the wings in flank.  Catiline’s followers stood and fought till they fell, with their wounds in front; he himself hewed his way through the foe, and was found still breathing at a distance from his own ranks.  No quarter was given or taken; and among the rebels there were no survivors.  In the triumphant army, all the stoutest soldiers were slain or wounded; mourning and grief mingled with the elation of victory.

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EDWARD GIBBON

Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire—­I