Catilinarian 1:
1. Summarize the first speech? What is Cicero trying to impart to the Senators throughout
his speech? What sort of language does he use? Did you find his argument convincing?
2. How does Cicero begin this speech [1]? What sort of questions does he ask and who is he
asking?
3. What is Cicero trying to persuade her hearers to feel or to do?
4. What problems stand in the way of achieving Cicero’s persuasive goals?
Catilinarian 2
1. Summarize the second speech? What is Cicero trying to impart to the common people
throughout his speech? Did you find his argument convincing?
2. What are the six types of people Cicero believed were acting as participants with Catiline
[18-22]?
3. Cicero lists attributes held by both sides, the conspirators and the citizens. What are these
and what rhetorical purpose does this serve Cicero?
4. What does Cicero insist must happen to the conspirators remaining in the city.
Did you notice anything different between the language of the first and second speech? What
might that tell us about the audience?
Caesar’s Speech:
1. What is Caesar calling for in this debate [51.1-5]?
2. What point is Caesar trying to make at 51.15?
3. Without reading D. Silanus’ speech, what penalty is it clear he suggested and what is
Caesar’s alternative to it [51.16-24]?
4. Caesar is aware of the president this case could set. What is he most worried about
[51.25-31]?
5. What does Caesar ultimately think should be done with the conspirators [51.37-43]?
Cato’s Speech:
1. Cato also seems to be concerned with precedent, but differently than Caesar. What is
Cato’s concern [52.2-6]?
2. Cato is the prototypical old man “back in my day” type. What does he seem to think
about his present day in the Republic [52.19-23]?
3. What does Cato think they should do with the conspirators (52.24-29]?
4. At 52.30, Cato give the example of Antonius Manlius Torquatus, who had his own son
strangled for disobeying an order. He then goes on as to why he gives this example. Why
use this example?
5. What is Cato’s recommendation? Who’s argument wins the day?