Catiline

This book is typical of works in several series for college students and educated lay readers that narrate exciting events from ancient history. L. Sergius Catilina, Catiline, failed as a candidate for the consulship against his political rival, the orator M. Tullius Cicero. Catiline thereupon was alleged to have conspired with disaffected peasants, ruined veterans, and ambitious young nobles to overthrow the Roman Republic in 63 BCE. This Catilinarian Conspiracy was uncovered and denounced by Cicero in his most famous orations. Levick (Oxford) concentrates on the specifics of the conspiracy known from Cicero's orations and the moralizing monograph of Sallust, a partisan of Julius Caesar. The author sums up well the scholarly opinion on Cicero's role, and whether Cicero exaggerated or even created the conspiracy for his own political ends. Cicero's call for the execution of Catiline's co-conspirators without trial forestalled a rebellion, but Cicero later paid politically for this decision. Levick offers far less analysis on how the events in 63 BCE led to the First Triumvirate, a turning point for the Republic. Her discussion on later perceptions of Catiline in the literary tradition is well done and should engage most readers. The bibliography is good. Students should read this in tandem with the works of Cicero and Sallust. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. * CHOICE * [A] thoroughly approachable book, recommended whether you know something or nothing already, about a fascinating and important episode of Roman history. * Classics For All Reviews * The addition of Catiline to [Ancients in Action's] already impressive list of characters ... will be a welcome one for all who are interested in the historical and political milieu of the Roman Republic on the brink of its collapse. Distinguished ancient historian, Barbara Levick, writes the account in a lively, engaging style, marked often by bold assertions and sometimes speculative theories, all of which draw her audience in, at times almost as bystanders to the action. * The Classical Outlook * Students will find the book accessible and easy to read. It is short, the text is widely-spaced, and every chapter is divided into sub-sections of a page or two with informative headings. The narrative and analysis are clear and well-judged. The political context is explained briefly but well ... Through [the book], all may enjoy a taste of Dr Levick's inspirational teaching. * Classics Ireland * Catiline is a fast moving synthesis of the ancient sources mixed with a modern revisionist take against Cicero's narrative ... Well-written and easily read. * Classical Journal * The book is, as is to be expected from Levick, a solid piece of work. She bases her narrative on thorough knowledge of the sources and in general rather recent scholarship. She is not afraid to take a stance and is aware of the many pitfalls. * Bryn Mawr Classical Review * Barbara Levick's account of Catiline offers a wonderfully lucid and detailed account of this most elusive of figures. The narrative seamlessly integrates analysis of the ancient sources with discussion of broader issues in late Republican economy and society, and students will find it an invaluable guide to a complex and challenging period of Roman history.