The leader of the military faction was Catiline, who had been one of the
ablest and most ferocious of Sulla’s officers. He had a large following
of debauched young patricians and ruined military men, who thought they
would better their fortunes by making Catiline consul. Cicero was his
rival, and, receiving the support of the senators, was elected. Enraged
at his defeat, Catiline formed a conspiracy of which the murder of
Cicero and the burning of Rome were parts. A woman betrayed the plot to
Cicero, who denounced Catiline with such fiery eloquence that he had to
flee from Rome. With a band of confederates he attempted to reach Gaul;
but he was overtaken in Etruria and slain, 62 B. C.