SALLUSTStatesman, Historian

Early Life

Born Gauis Sallustis Crispus in the small Italian town of Amiternum in Central Italy in 86 B.C.

The nomen Sallustii belonged to a noble clan of the equestrian class

Due to being born of such privilege, Sallust received an excellent education in his early years

Climbing the ranks

Sallust may have first held the rank of Quaestor in 55 B.C. It is certain that he became Tribune of the Plebs in 52 B.C. In 52 B.C., Titus Annius Milo killed Publius Clodius Pulcher

in a street-fight near Bovillae on the Appian Way Sallust supported the prosecution of Milo, becoming an

opponent of Cicero

An ally of Caesar

From the beginning of his political career, Sallust was an ardent supporter of Caesar

In 50 B.C., the censor Appius Claudius Pulcher removed him from the Senate on grounds of “gross immorality” (likely because of his intense dislike for Cicero)

The follow year, rather mysteriously, Sallust was reinstated. Many believe Caesar was involved in his return

In 46 B.C., he was elected to the rank of Praetor and accompanied Caesar on his African campaign which culminated in the decisive defeat of Pompey’s remaining forces at Thapsus

Great wealth

As a reward for his services in the African campaign, Sallust was rewarded governorship of Africa Nova (Numidia)

He acquired incredible amounts of wealth while governor

While governor, he extorted and oppressed the people of his province so much that only Caesar prevented him from being brought to trial

Retirement

Upon his return to Rome, he spent much of his wealth building the Gardens of Sallust (Horti Sallustiani) on the Quirinal hill

The Gardens of Sallust were immense gardens that were maintained for over 400 years, eventually being owned by the Emperor

Temples and beautiful sculptures were scattered through out the gardens

In his retirement, Sallust devoted himself to historical literature

Sallust the historian

Sallust is known for writing an account of the Cataline conspiracy (De conjuratione Catilinae), the Jugurthine War (Bellum Jugurthinum), and a history of Rome from 78-67 B.C. (Historiae)

Sallust’s style

As compared to Caesar’s style, which is quite regular and controlled in flow, Sallust’s style is strong and abrupt– “volcanic” in nature.

He places great emphasis on the individuality of the characters and is known for possessing an incredible eye for detail

His writings were incredibly popular due to their intense nature, being widely read into the 2nd century

De conjuratione Catilinae Sallust’s first published work, it details Cataline’s conspiracy in 63 B.C. Cataline is portrayed as a foe of law, order, and morality The historical account is known as a drastic departure from the past styles of

Roman historians, Sallust injects his own opinions and values to give it flavor The writings reflect his deep concern for the moral decline of Rome Sallust particularly shows off his rhetoric at the expensive of the old Roman

aristocracy, whose degeneracy he speaks of in the darkest manner Despite depicting Cataline as a villain for most of the story, Sallust praises some of

the values that allowed Cataline to become a member of Senate The work was likely written between 44 and 40 B.C. Some believe that Sallust wrote it to clear Caesar’s name of any involvement with

Cataline

Bellum Jugurthinum A brief account of the war against Jugurtha in Numidia (112 B.C. to 105

B.C.) For much of the story, he dwells on the feebleness of Senate and the

aristocracy The work itself is unimpressive, mostly consisting of notes collected

during his time as governor of Numidia It is lacking in geographical and chronological details and is considered

too full of Sallust’s own personal opinion It is valued, however, in detailing the introduction of Marius and Sulla to

the Roman political scene and the beginning of their rivalry

Historiae

Little remains of Sallust’s third work Fragments show that Sallust used much of it to harshly criticize

Sulla’s policies and describe the destruction of his ideals following his death

It takes place between 78-67 B.C.: The death of Sulla to the praetorship of Cicero

It is thought to specifically chronicle the war against Sertorius, the campaigns of Lucullus against Mithridates VI of Pontus, and Pompey’s victories in the East (that war gained Pompey the agnomen “Magnus”)

Later life

According to many historians, Sallust married Cicero’s ex-wife Terentia

He died in 35 B.C., leaving his house and gardens to his nephew

The Gardens of Sallust would eventually come into ownership of the Emperors

Legacy

The historians that followed Sallust spoke very highly of him

Tacitus speaks very highly of him in Annals and Quintilian declares that he is a greater historian than Livy and on the same level as Thucydides, someone Sallust greatly admired

Friedrich Nietzsche greatly admired him, praising his writing style as “compact, severe, with as much substance as possible, a cold sarcasm against 'beautiful words' and 'beautiful sentiments.’”

Famous Quotes

“Do as much as possible, and talk of yourself as little as possible.”

“Harmony makes small things grow, lack of it makes great things decay.”

“By union the smallest states thrive. By discord the greatest are destroyed.”

“Ambition breaks the ties of blood, and forgets the obligations of gratitude.”

“Think like a man of action , and act like a man of thought.”

Works cited

Biography Base. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2012. <http://www.biographybase.com/biography/Sallust.html>.

“Sallust.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Web. 20 Oct. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sallust>.

Scudder, Jared W. “Gaius Sallustius Crispus.” The Society for Ancient Languages. Society for Ancient Languages, n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2012. <http://www.uah.edu/society/texts/bios/gscrispus.html>.