M. Tullius Cicero, In Catilinam, ed. Albert Curtis Clark, 4.21

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[21] sit Scipio clarus ille cuius consilio atque virtute Hannibal in Africam redire atque Italia¹ decedere coactus est, ornetur alter eximia laude Africanus qui duas urbis huic imperio infestissimas Karthaginem Numantiamque delevit, habeatur vir egregius Paulus ille cuius currum rex potentissimus quondam et nobilissimus Perses honestavit, sit aeterna gloria Marius qui bis Italiam obsidione et metu servitutis liberavit, anteponatur omnibus Pompeius cuius res gestae atque virtutes isdem quibus solis cursus regionibus ac terminis continentur: erit profecto inter horum laudes aliquid loci nostrae gloriae, nisi forte maius est patefacere nobis provincias quo exire possimus quam curare ut etiam illi qui absunt habeant quo victores revertantur.

In Catilinam. M. Tullius Cicero. ed. Albert Curtis Clark. Oxford. 1908.

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Current edition Perseus

In L. Catilinam (Latin) (Cicero. M. Tulli Ciceronis Orationes, Volume 1. Clark, Albert Curtis, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1908.)

Translations (1)

Against L. Catiline Perseus (Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, Volume 2. Yonge, Charles Duke, translator. London: Bell, 1856.) — 4.21 focus

[21]
Let Scipio be thought illustrious, he by whose wisdom and valour Hannibal was compelled to return into Africa, and to depart from Italy. Let the second Africanus be extolled with conspicuous praise, who destroyed two cities most hostile to this empire, Carthage and Numantia. Let Lucius Paullus be thought a great man, he whose triumphal car was graced by Perses, previously a most powerful and noble monarch. Let Marius be held in eternal honour, who twice delivered Italy from siege, and from the fear of slavery. Let Pompey be preferred to them all—Pompey, whose exploits and whose virtues are bounded by the same districts and limits as the course of the sun. There will be, forsooth, among the praises of these men, some room for my glory, unless haply it be a greater deed to open to us provinces whither we may fly, than to take care that those who are at a distance may, when conquerors; have a home to return to.

Notes on the current edition

In Catilinam

1. ex Italia αβ

Commentary

Commentary on Fourth Oration against Catiline (Select Orations of Cicero (Allen and Greenough's Edition). Greenough, James Bradstreet; Kittredge, George Lyman, editors. Boston, London: Ginn & Company, 1897.) focus

Scipio : the elder Africanus, who brought the Second Punic War to a triumphant close by the battle of Zama, B.C. 202. By "carrying the war into Africa," he forced Hannibal to retire from Italy.

alter Africanus : the younger, surnamed Aemilianus. He was the son of L. Aemilius Paulus (mentioned below), and adopted by the son of the elder Africanus. He captured Carthage, B.C. 146, and Numantia, in Spain, B.C. 133.

Paulus : father of the younger Africanus, and, like his son, the most eminent and upright man of his generation. He brought the Third Macedonian War to a close by the battle of Pydna, B.C. 168, and led King Perseus captive in his triumphal procession.

currum [ triumphalem]: the captives did not go with or behind the triumphal chariot, but preceded it in the procession.

bis liberavit : by the victories over the German invaders, —over the Teutones at Aquae Sextiae ( B.C. 102), and the Cimbri at Vercellae ( B.C. 101).

Pompeius : it should be remembered that Pompey was now in the East, in the midst of his career of conquest, and that his return was looked for with expectancy by all parties. Cicero took every means to win the confidence of the great general, and gain him over to his views in public affairs; but to no purpose. After some wavering, Pompey associated himself with Caesar, thus giving the Senate a blow from which it never recovered, and preparing the way for his own downfall.

aliquid loci : § 346 , a, 3 (216, a, 3); B. 202, 2; G. 369; H. 442 (397, 3); H.-B. 346.

M. Tullius Cicero In Catilinam 4.21

ed. Albert Curtis Clark

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