Conspiracy of Catiline and the Jurgurthine War (ePub)

Gaius Sallustius Crispus, known simply as Sallust, was a Roman historian and politician born in 86 BC in Amiternum, a town in the Sabine territory. His incisive and concise historiography has carved an indelible mark in the annals of classical literature. His political career started in a typically Roman fashion, climbing the cursus honorum, and reached a pinnacle when he became a tribune of the plebs in 52 BC. Despite being expelled from the Senate on moral grounds, he regained favor under Julius Caesar's rule.

Sallust is esteemed for his monographs, 'The Conspiracy of Catiline' (De Catilinae Coniuratione) and 'The Jugurthine War' (Bellum Jugurthinum), which are lauded for their intricate prose and the vivid portrayal of the political culture of his time. His works are characterized by sharpness of observation and a penetrating understanding of the corruption and moral decay of the Roman Republic. He is notably recognized for employing a historiographical approach that emphasized the role of individuals and moral lessons, thereby setting the stage for future historical narratives. Sallust's contribution to Latin literature extends beyond his historical legacy. His unique and innovative employment of the annalistic style has influenced subsequent generations of historians and authors, with aspects of his moralizing technique evident in the writings of Tacitus and beyond.