Francis Cairns

Lentulus’ Letter: Cicero In Catilinam 3.12; Sallust Bellum Catilinae 44.3-6

Catiline’s letter to Lentulus, as presented by Cicero and Sallust at these loci, begins with quis/qui sim. These words are usually translated as “who I am” vel. sim. This paper argues that such translations are illogical and incorrect, and proposes instead that these words should be rendered as “how I am”, i.e. “in what state I am”/“in what position I am”. The mistranslation has caused scholarly confusion over the purpose and the context of Catiline’s letter; these can now be clarified. Finally some suggestions are made about Cicero’s situation and motivations in the Senate meeting of 5 December 63 BC.

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