Sallust
Who was Sallust?
Roman historian and politician (86 BC - c. 35 BC)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Sallust (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Gaius Sallustius Crispus, known as Sallust, was a Roman historian and politician born around 86 BC in Amiternum, in the Sabine area northeast of Rome. He came from a plebeian family and rose to prominence during the chaotic final years of the Roman Republic. His early political career followed the traditional cursus honorum, but was marked by scandal and controversy that later influenced his historical writings.
Sallust's political fortunes improved significantly when he aligned himself with Julius Caesar in the 50s BC. This partnership boosted his career and led to his appointment as governor of Africa Nova after Caesar's consulship. During his time as governor, Sallust gained a lot of wealth through methods that, according to contemporary sources, were corrupt and exploitative. His accumulation of wealth from provincial administration was infamous, even by the standards of late Republican Rome where such practices were common.
After retiring from active politics, Sallust focused on historical writing, becoming the earliest known Roman historian whose works have survived in significant form. His main works included 'The Conspiracy of Catiline,' about Lucius Sergius Catilina's failed coup attempt in 63 BC, and 'The Jugurthine War,' which detailed Rome's conflict with the Numidian king Jugurtha from 112 to 106 BC. He also began a larger work titled 'Histories,' covering events from 78 to 67 BC, but only fragments remain.
Sallust was influenced by the Greek historian Thucydides, especially in his analytical approach to political events and human motivations. His writing style featured archaic vocabulary, moral commentary, and a focus on the corruption and decline he saw in Roman society. He married Terentia, previously wed to the orator Cicero, which placed him within Rome's elite social circles. Sallust died around 35 BC in Rome, leaving behind historical works that shaped Latin prose style and historical writing for a long time.
Before Fame
Born in Amiternum in the Sabine hills, Sallust grew up in a plebeian family looking to climb the social ladder in Roman society during a time of great political change. The late Roman Republic offered chances for ambitious individuals from the provinces to rise through political and military roles, though this often required support from established Roman families and engaging in the intense political battles of the time.
Sallust started gaining prominence by entering Roman politics, first serving as quaestor and later as tribune of the plebs in 52 BC. His early career faced a scandal when he was expelled from the Senate in 50 BC on charges of immorality. However, this setback was short-lived, as the backing of Julius Caesar helped restore his political standing and led to his appointment to profitable provincial commands.
Key Achievements
- Authored 'The Conspiracy of Catiline,' a detailed account of the failed coup attempt in 63 BC
- Wrote 'The Jugurthine War,' chronicling Rome's conflict with the Numidian king Jugurtha
- Became the first Roman historian whose substantial works survive in Latin literature
- Served as governor of Africa Nova under Julius Caesar's appointment
- Developed a distinctive historical writing style that influenced later Latin prose
Did You Know?
- 01.He was expelled from the Roman Senate in 50 BC for alleged immoral conduct, only to be readmitted through Julius Caesar's influence
- 02.His marriage to Terentia made him the stepfather of Cicero's former wife, creating an awkward social dynamic with the famous orator
- 03.Sallust's wealth from his African governorship was so notorious that he built luxurious gardens in Rome that became known as the Horti Sallustiani
- 04.He deliberately used archaic Latin vocabulary in his historical works to evoke the style of earlier Roman writers like Cato the Elder
- 05.Despite condemning corruption in his histories, Sallust himself faced prosecution for extortion during his governorship, though he escaped conviction