Conspiracy of Catiline (eBook)

Gaius Sallustius Crispus, known simply as Sallust (86–35 BC), was a renowned Roman historian and politician, whose introspective analysis of internal decline and moral decay in the late Roman Republic has imparted lasting insight into the period's political and social dynamics. Born in Amiternum, in the Sabine territory, Sallust entered public life as a quaestor and was later elected as tribune of the plebs, aligning with Julius Caesar and the Populares, which would influence his perspectives and subject matter as a historian. After a contentious career in politics fraught with allegations of corruption, Sallust devoted himself to historical writing. His 'Conspiracy of Catiline' (also known as 'Bellum Catilinae') is among his best-known works; it offers a detailed account of the notorious conspiracy led by Lucius Sergius Catilina in 63 BC and evaluates the moral and ethical decline purportedly eroding the Roman Republic's foundations. Sallust's monographs are marked by a concise and vehement style, utilizing speeches and character sketches to bring moral lessons to the forefront. His unique approach melded historiography with moral critique, embodying a Ciceronian influence albeit with a personal voice that distanced him from his predecessors. His works provide critical perspectives on power, greed, and ambition, serving as cautionary tales that resonate through subsequent literary and political thought.