First Oration Against Catiline
Delivered in the Roman Senate in 63 BCE, Consul Marcus Tullius Cicero dramatically exposed Lucius Sergius Catilina's plot to overthrow the Roman government.
Full Transcript
When, O Catiline, do you mean to cease abusing our patience? How long is that madness of yours still to mock us? When is there to be an end of that unbridled audacity of yours, swaggering about as it does now?
Does not the nightly guard of the Palatine Hill—does not the watch kept throughout the city—does not the alarm of the people, and the union of all good men—does not the precaution taken of assembling the Senate in this most fortified place—do not the looks and countenances of this venerable body here present, have any effect upon you?
O tempora, o mores! The Senate understands these things. The Consul sees them; yet this man lives. Lives? Aye, he comes even into the Senate. He takes a part in the public deliberations; he marks out and designates with his eyes each one of us for slaughter.
Go then, Catiline; continue the war which you have begun. Purge the city of your conspirators, take your men with you, and set us free from fear.
Defining Key Excerpts
"Quousque tandem abutere, Catilina, patientia nostra? (How long, Catiline, will you abuse our patience?)"
"O tempora, o mores! (Oh the times! Oh the customs!)"
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