Etruria, moreover, had all been excited to revolt, as well as a
great part of Gaul within the Alps. But Rome itself was in the
most dangerous inclination to change on account of the unequal
distribution of wealth and property, those of highest rank and
greatest spirit having impoverished themselves by shows,
entertainments, running for office, and sumptuous buildings, and
the riches of the city had thus fallen into the hands of mean and
low-born persons. So that it required but a slight impetus to set
all in motion, it being in the power of any daring man to overturn
a sickly commonwealth.
Catiline, however, being desirous of procuring a strong position
to carry out his designs, stood for the consulship, and had great
hopes of success, thinking he should be appointed, with Caius
Antonius as his colleague, who was a man fit to lead neither in a
good cause nor in a bad one, but might be a valuable accession to
another's power. The greater part of the good and honest citizens
apprehending these things, put Cicero upon standing for the
consulship; whom the people readily receiving, Catiline was put
by, so that he and Caius Antonius were chosen, although amongst
the competitors he was the only man descended from the father of
the equestrian, and not of the senatorial, order.
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