Campaign for Consulship
Quintus' Advice
Quintus, Cicero' brother, made suggestions to Cicero for ways in which to campaign for consulsip. He suggested that Cicero:
- show off that he has many and varied friends.
- tell the 'nobiles' and conulars that Cicero had always supported the Optimates and only spoke in a 'popularis' manner in order to win support from Pompey.
- consider the significance of the people by promising favours, encouraging future prospects or share points of view.
- create a veneer of prestige; followers, popularity and impressions.
- canvass public support by remembering peoples' names (normally a slave would inform senators of who they were meeting), staying in the public eye and by portraying generosity.
- show off that he has many and varied friends.
- tell the 'nobiles' and conulars that Cicero had always supported the Optimates and only spoke in a 'popularis' manner in order to win support from Pompey.
- consider the significance of the people by promising favours, encouraging future prospects or share points of view.
- create a veneer of prestige; followers, popularity and impressions.
- canvass public support by remembering peoples' names (normally a slave would inform senators of who they were meeting), staying in the public eye and by portraying generosity.
Cicero's Opposition
Cicero had six political opponents. Two were patricians, Publius Sulpicius Galba and Lucius Sergius Catilina, whilst six were plebeians, Marcus Antonius, Lucius Cassius Longinus, Quintus Cornificius and Gaius Licinius Sacerdos. In relaity, Cciero only had competition from Lucius Catilina and Marcus Antonius.
The Opposition of Marcus Antonius
Marcus Antonius was considered 'a drunken fool, corrupt and often insolvbent' and had been expelled from the senate. However, to the optimates, he was acceptable as he had strong Optimates views.
The Oppositon of Lucius Catilina
Catilina was a more viable threat that Antonius was; he was a Populares whi had rebelled against his family discipline (who were Optimates in heritage) and now desperately needed money. He had been brought to trial for adultery with Fabia (Terentia's cousin) in 73 BC but was acquitted. He had also been acccused of murdering his own son as his wife did not want to share his home with a child that was not her own.
Catilina had intended to run for consulship in 66 BC but was discouraged as he was put on notice of trial for extortion in Africa. There were rumours reported that, at this point in time, Catlina had considered slaughtering most of the senators and then apponting Crassus as dictator and a young Julius Caesar as his Master of the Horse.
Sallust claimed that Catilina had "surrounded himself with the occupants of brothels, taverns and gambling dens". He appealed to the supoort of the youth. As part of his campaign, he promised that he would abolish all debts - however, in reality, he planned to simply shift the bankruptcy along the chain to the equites and senators.
Catilina had intended to run for consulship in 66 BC but was discouraged as he was put on notice of trial for extortion in Africa. There were rumours reported that, at this point in time, Catlina had considered slaughtering most of the senators and then apponting Crassus as dictator and a young Julius Caesar as his Master of the Horse.
Sallust claimed that Catilina had "surrounded himself with the occupants of brothels, taverns and gambling dens". He appealed to the supoort of the youth. As part of his campaign, he promised that he would abolish all debts - however, in reality, he planned to simply shift the bankruptcy along the chain to the equites and senators.
Optimates Backing
The Optimates were fearful of the consequences of Catilina beocming consul so they realised that they would have to back Cicero as they belived that his leadership wouldn't have been as bad. To help Cicero, they increased the rules on corruption. This was designed to help as Cicero was competing agaisnt Antonius and Catlilina who were being bankrolled by Crassus; Catilina in particular ha dbough himself numerous acquittals.
In Toga Candida
Cicero, much like the Optimates, was so fearful of Catilina that he considered defending him against extortion charges in exhange for support. However, Cicero decided against this and instead chose to rely on his own skills. Cicero used his rhetoric and public speaking skills to 'blacken' his opposition as he believed that this was safer than offering policies that may alienate potential votes so he produced 'in tiga candida' ('in the white gown'). This was an attack on Cicero by presenting how immoral Catilina had become and by comparing Cicero's own acheivements, such as being elected first preator whereas Catlina was the last praetor, in order to portray himself as better than Catilina.