Final answer:
Cicero defended himself with his intellectual abilities and powerful rhetoric against Catiline.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 62 BCE, Cicero defended a Greek poet, Aulus Licinius Archias, who was falsely accused of claiming Roman citizenship. Cicero and Archias were friends, and Cicero believed that Archias was a citizen based on the evidence in his favor.
When facing his enemies, such as Catiline, Cicero did not physically protect himself with any specific object or weapon. Instead, Cicero relied on his intellectual abilities and powerful rhetoric to defend himself and attack his opponents. In the speech against Catiline, Cicero criticized Catiline's supporters, referring to them as soldiers who have deserted the army.
Throughout history, Cicero was known for his skill in speechwriting and oratory. He used persuasive language and logical arguments to defend his clients and advance his own political career.