CAT: Overview

Image: painting of Cicero denouncing CatilineCicero: In Catilinam Overview

Marcus Tullius Cicero was one of the most important writers, both when he was alive, and because of what was preserved of his writing. The Latin we learn now is largely based on the writings of Cicero: his style was so exact and his writings so well preserved that a solid understanding of Latin grammar and vocabulary can be extracted just from his collected works. One of Cicero's most prominent roles, and the writing that is most often referenced, involves his work as a lawyer, both in prosecuting cases and defending his fellow citizens. In this module, we will explore this role in depth. The image, painted by Hans Werner Schmidt in 1912, depicts Cicero denouncing Catiline, over his objections (note the man pointing to his chest in the background). Note the relative ages of Cicero and Catiline in the painting: Cicero looks fairly elderly, while Catiline is depicted as being a fairly young man. In reality, Catiline was two years older than Cicero! Why do you suppose the painter chose to depict the two men this way?

 Download: Study Guide

Please download the Cicero: In Catilinam Study Guide Links to an external site.. The study guide follows the module in order and should be viewed at first as a note-taking document, then later, as a review file.

Additionally, please download and begin reading the Translation of In Catilinam Links to an external site. (Cicero's arguments against Catiline). This will be our main resource in gathering basic information about the structure, form, and function of Cicero's rhetoric. Be sure to contact your instructor for any additional help with the content.

Essential Questions

  1. What is indirect speech?
  2. What is oratio obliqua?
  3. What is rhetoric?
  4. What are some of the common devices used in Latin rhetoric?
  5. Do modern speakers still employ similar devices when delivering speeches?
  6. Who was Catiline?
  7. What was Catiline's presumed crime?
  8. What kind of lawyer was Cicero?

Key Terms

  1. Indirect Speech - when a speech act (statement, question, or command) is reported rather than quoted
  2. Oratio Obliqua - indirect discourse
  3. Rhetoric - the art of speaking.
  4. Parts of a Speech:
    1. exordium - An introduction designed to gain the favorable attention of the audience
    2. narratio - A summary of the facts leading up to the point at issue
    3. partitio - An outline of the proposed treatment of the point to be proved
    4. confirmatio - The affirmative argument for the point to be proved. The speaker makes their case with details
    5. refutatio - A rebuttal refuting the opposite argument: the opposing argument would be introduced and the speaker would then strongly argue against that point
    6. peroratio - The conclusion
  5. Common devices:
    • alliteration - repeated consonant sound, used for emphasis
    • anaphora - repeated word or phrase at the start of several clauses
    • anastrophe - departure from the normal word order for emphasis
    • antithesis - emphasis through contrast or opposition
    • apostrophe - a sudden change in subject from audience to specific person/group
    • asyndeton - omitting a conjunction
    • chiasmus - criss-cross word order: ABBA (grammatical)
    • epizeuxis - repetition of words with no others in between
    • euphemism - substitution of a mild or roundabout expression to avoid bluntness ("passed away", instead of died)
    • hendiadys - connecting two words expressing a single idea with a conjunction
    • hyperbole - exaggeration
    • irony - expression of something which is contrary to the intended meaning
    • juxtaposition - putting two opposing words next to each other for effect
    • litotes - understatement
    • praeteritio - "a passing over" - a head fake omission: by saying what you are not saying, you say the thing: I won't mention that Marcus was a heavy drinker
    • tricolon - the use of sets of three - Romans found sets of three to be a powerful grouping

[CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Links to an external site.] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION - INTENDED ONLY FOR USE WITHIN LESSON.