No one would venture either to disregard the sentence passed upon him because he was sure that he had had no part in the crime, or to disobey the law

No one would venture either to disregard the sentence passed upon him because he was sure that he had had no part in the crime, or to disobey the law if he knew in his heart that he was guilty of such a deed. Antiphon. On the Choreutes. Speech 6. Section 5.

During the second Catiline Conspiracy, discussions began among the senate and people to what the best actions would be in protecting the republic, and a conclusion was reached - the senates consultum ultimatum needed to be placed into effect.

Image: The Catiline Conspiracy engraving by Luigi Bartolini Baldelli at Harvard Art Museums.