What were the Key events of Cicero’s Consulship?

1.     The Rabirius Affair: Titus Labeinus, Tribune of the Plebs and associate of Julius Caesar, accuses the extremely elderly (I believe he was roughly 100 years old) Gaius Rabirius of murdering or participating in the murder of Lucius Appuleius Saturninus, which had happened nearly 40 years earlier. The motives here were by no means honest – Caesar was likely behind the accusation and its intent was to scare the enemies of the Populist faction in the senate. Cicero defended Rabirius, but the proceedings were cut short when the flag on the Janiculum hill was lowered – the traditional signal that Rome was under attack and that all political activity must immediately cease.2.     The Rullen Land Law: Servilius Rullus put forward a bill that would create a new office; ten commissioners who would serve for five years and would be able to reallocate land for veteran soldiers. Cicero saw this as an attempt by Caesar and Crassus, who he thought were behind the bill, to gain power. He argued vehemently against the bill and his speeches saw that the bill was not passed.3.     The Catalinarian Conspiracy: Cataline, a bankrupt politician, attempts to stage a coup and take control of Rome. Cicero catches wind of this plan before it begins to be set in motion, but has to attempt to prove to the senate that Cataline is indeed trying to overthrow the republic. He produces his famous Catalinarian Orations where he condemns Cataline and provide evidence against him. Cataline flees the city to the army that he had been gathering in the north of Italy. The senate passes the Senatus Consultum Ultimum which allows Cicero to execute the remaining conspirators without trial, while an army is sent north to destroy the army of Cataline. Cicero actions here were one of the high points of his life, and would have great repercussions for his future career.