The Virtues of Speech:
 Sammy Carey

The Character of Caesar and Cato

“For a long time at Rome there was hardly anyone great in manly virtue. Still, in my
memory there are two men of extraordinary virtue, but different character, M. Cato and C.
Caesar” (Sallust 53). In Catiline’s Conspiracy, Sallust praises these two men in the midst of
Catiline’s attack through their speeches on the necessary reaction to having traitors among their
own. Through Cato’s and Caesar’s speeches, Sallust not only portrays the virtuous tendencies of
these men - Cato having a disposition towards steadfastness in belief and Caesar towards mercy -
but he also makes a philosophical and political statement that the proper response to rebellion is
an application of existing law, the argument espoused by Caesar.

Throughout the text, Sallust recounts the history of the Roman people in an attempt to
reveal what virtues allowed Rome to flourish over time, which for him are the most valuable to
possess in the face of any trouble. Before launching into a discussion of how ambition destroyed
Roman morality, Sallust makes clear what he believes were the two factors in Roman success on
behalf of manly virtue: strict obedience during times of war and compassion during times of
peace (Sallust 9). Sallust portrays Caesar as being a man who obeys the law and is concerned
with precedent in times of trouble while also being “made famous by his compassion and mercy”
(Sallust 51 & 54). During his speech, Caesar reminds his fellow Senate members that they must
not act with rashness in the matter but that the only way to resolve issues in Rome should be
through the means and processes already established. He calls them to worry about the precedent
they will set in their decisions, believing that the crimes committed “should not have more
weight with you than your own dignity, and you should not consider your anger more important
than your reputation” (Sallust 51). His speech reveals not only his benevolence but his strict
adherence to the law which Sallust holds up as the reason for Roman success.

However, Sallust, although he does believe that Cato’s virtue is praiseworthy, this type of
character is not conducive to the longevity of the Roman Republic. Cato represents integrity and
intolerance, for he never turns aways from his beliefs causing him to be devoted to his argument
of death for the wicked. Through Cato’s speech, Sallust is able to present Cato as a man rash to
make decisions even though they align with his beliefs. Cato uses the tactic of fear-mongering to
get the Senate to execute the traitors and attack Catiline in war, by urging them to remember that
“the enemy is in the heart of Rome. We can neither make any plans nor have any discussion of
policy in secret. Therefore, speed is all the more necessary” (Sallust 52). Although the Senate
approved of his policy and they were able to defeat Catiline, the cost was great. Sallust reports
that “the army of the Roman people did not attain a joyful or bloodless victory,” but lost many of
their most energetic soldiers (Sallust 61). Sallust gives the perfect name to Cato’s policy, which
can be found in Catiline’s speech to rally his men, when he states that they must have “reckless
courage” (Sallust 58). Although Cato is a man of high virtue for his absolutism and ethical
actions, his manifestation of virtue in speech leads to the death of many.

Through the Catiline conspiracy and political speeches of Cato and Caesar, Sallust is
capable of revealing the great Roman virtues that both these men possess, while also hinting at
which character is the most conducive to success. Although reckless courage may led to
momentary victory, strict obedience to the precedent and forgiveness to those who understand
their wrongdoing are necessary to allow a society to thrive under any condition.