Catiline

[ kat-l-ahyn ]

noun

1. Lucius Sergius Catilina, 108?–62 b.c., Roman politician and conspirator.

Catiline

/ ˈkætɪˌlaɪn; ˌkætɪlɪˈnɛərɪən /

noun

1. Catiline?108 bc62 bcMRomanPOLITICS: politicianPOLITICS: conspirator Latin name Lucius Sergius Catilina. ?108–62 bc , Roman politician: organized an unsuccessful conspiracy against Cicero (63–62)

Derived Forms

• Catilinarian, adjective

Example Sentences

“As to Burr there is nothing in his favour,” Hamilton observed, then went on: “His private character is not defended by his most partial friends. He is bankrupt beyond redemption except by the plunder of his country. His public principles have no other spring or aim than his own aggrandizement....If he can he will certainly disturb our institutions to secure himself permanent power and with it wealth. He is truly the Catiline of America.”

From Literature

This mention of Catiline is worth a momentary pause, in part because the reference is so unfamiliar to modern ears as to seem meaningless, and also because it was so familiar to the leaders of the revolutionary generation as to require no further explanation.

From Literature

By accusing Burr of being Catiline, Hamilton was making the ultimate accusation, for Catiline was the treacherous and degenerate character whose scheming nearly destroyed the Roman Republic and whose licentious ways inspired, by their very profligacy, Cicero’s eloquent oration on virtue, which was subsequently memorized by generations of American schoolboys.

From Literature

No one in the political leadership of the early American republic needed to be reminded who Catiline was.

From Literature

If each member of the revolutionary generation harbored secret thoughts about being the modern incarnation of a classical Greek or Roman hero—Washington was Cato or Cincinnatus, Adams was Solon or Cicero—no one aspired to be Catiline.

From Literature