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Sallust: The Conspiracy Of Catiline And The War Of Jugurtha
This new and original translation of Sallust’s “Conspiracy of Catiline” and “War of Jugurtha” uses a fresh, modern English idiom that preserves the flavor of the historian’s famous epigrammatic style. Fully outfitted for comprehension and efficient referencing, this special edition contains the following 1. Almost 300 detailed, scholarly footnotes 2. Extended introduction describing the political and military systems of the Roman republic 3. Maps, diagrams, and photographs 4. Topical organization charts 5. Chronological tables 6. Textual commentary 7. Detailed index Considered the first of the great Roman historians, Sallust has been read for centuries for his penetrating character studies, timeless moral insights, and matchless rhetoric. His profiles of flawed men led inexorably to ruin by excessive ambition or character defects resonate with us today more powerfully than ever. Intrigue…murder…the lust for power…and the fatal hubris that leads men to their dooms. These are some of the historian’s gripping themes. Deeply concerned with the moral decay and corruption he saw around him, Sallust’s pragmatic views of historical forces, personalities, and the psychology of power were aided by his own direct participation in the highest levels of Roman politics. “The Conspiracy of Catiline” tells the dramatic story of renegade senator Lucius Catiline’s attempt to seize power in Rome during the waning days of the republic. “The War of Jugurtha” recounts the rise and ultimate destruction of the headstrong Numidian king Jugurtha, who waged an insurgent war against Rome from 112 to 106 B.C. And as the fates of men play themselves out on the stage of history, strength of character and the will of Fortune will be the ultimate arbiters of human destiny. Quintus Curtius can be found at qcurtius.com
- GenresHistory
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2017
9 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Sallust
792 books82 followersGaius Sallustius Crispus (86 BC-34 BC), better known as 'Sallust' was a Roman politician and historian who supported Populares party of Julius Caesar.
His historical works included romanticized views of events, which served as polemics against his moral opponents, including Cicero. It was a style which set him apart from the dry historians who proceeded him.
Sallust joined Caesar in the African wars, and after their victory, was placed as governor of Roman Africa. He eventually retired to private life, when he composed his histories and funded an extensive personal garden.
His historical works included romanticized views of events, which served as polemics against his moral opponents, including Cicero. It was a style which set him apart from the dry historians who proceeded him.
Sallust joined Caesar in the African wars, and after their victory, was placed as governor of Roman Africa. He eventually retired to private life, when he composed his histories and funded an extensive personal garden.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 2, 2019
A very interesting primary history written by the Roman historian Sallust. Two major events are covered here. The conspiracy of Catiline of which Caesar may have secretly supported, attempted a coup of the Republic which Caesar later accomplished through civil war.
The war with Jugurtha was in North Africa. This actually occurred before Catiline’s attempted power grab and features two famous Romans Marius and Sulla both of who end up holding absolute power. Their example laid the groundwork for the toppling of the Republic by Caesar. Marius was the Trump of his day.
Jugurtha himself was an interesting character. The king of Numidia (a Roman client state) he used his guile and bribery to expand his power in Africa and famously played the Romans for fools for a time.
The war with Jugurtha was in North Africa. This actually occurred before Catiline’s attempted power grab and features two famous Romans Marius and Sulla both of who end up holding absolute power. Their example laid the groundwork for the toppling of the Republic by Caesar. Marius was the Trump of his day.
Jugurtha himself was an interesting character. The king of Numidia (a Roman client state) he used his guile and bribery to expand his power in Africa and famously played the Romans for fools for a time.
November 3, 2017
Quintus Curtius is one of my favorite writers. Part of this has to do with who he is as a person. He is one of the last, true Rennaissance Men of modern day. A former marine officer, who then became a lawyer who is also a painter, writer and translator, Quintus Curtius shares his views on discipline, honor, art, politics, philosophy and society on his blog Fortress of the Mind.
What is most compelling about Curtius is his ability to blend the intellectual with the everyday. When he offered to send me an advance copy of Sallust, I was thrilled. This translation of “Conspiracy of Catiline” and “War of Jugurtha” is an extremely impressive achievement. Every page shows the labor of the translator. The language is clear, clean, and precise. But it’s the extras that really make this worth buying and having in your library: the notes, tables, maps, and explanations.
For me, these special features were a tremendous help. I am not a history buff and often, if the story doesn’t feel real and the people aren’t brought to life on the page, I will lose interest. I tend to forget names and get confused about timelines and locations. Curtius’s writing style kept the story going in a way that felt natural. It was easy to forget that this was a translation as the transitions were clear and flowed. The footnotes especially give additional information about word choice, providing insights into idioms or phrases that have a special meaning that isn’t obvious to a casual reader of history.
No other historical book has ever given me so many easily available resources to make reading so enjoyable. Furthermore, his writing is charged with his love of the subject matter. Quintus Curtius does more than translate the words of classics into English, he translates the environment, the emotion, the mood and the conflict of a faraway time and place and makes it real and relevant to us today. His translations breathe life into characters that, to me, were once no more than indistinguishable stone sculptures I viewed in museums. When history comes alive we can clearly see the similarities in the conflicts that played out in Roman times with those we face today.
All in all, this is another triumph from Quintus Curtius!
What is most compelling about Curtius is his ability to blend the intellectual with the everyday. When he offered to send me an advance copy of Sallust, I was thrilled. This translation of “Conspiracy of Catiline” and “War of Jugurtha” is an extremely impressive achievement. Every page shows the labor of the translator. The language is clear, clean, and precise. But it’s the extras that really make this worth buying and having in your library: the notes, tables, maps, and explanations.
For me, these special features were a tremendous help. I am not a history buff and often, if the story doesn’t feel real and the people aren’t brought to life on the page, I will lose interest. I tend to forget names and get confused about timelines and locations. Curtius’s writing style kept the story going in a way that felt natural. It was easy to forget that this was a translation as the transitions were clear and flowed. The footnotes especially give additional information about word choice, providing insights into idioms or phrases that have a special meaning that isn’t obvious to a casual reader of history.
No other historical book has ever given me so many easily available resources to make reading so enjoyable. Furthermore, his writing is charged with his love of the subject matter. Quintus Curtius does more than translate the words of classics into English, he translates the environment, the emotion, the mood and the conflict of a faraway time and place and makes it real and relevant to us today. His translations breathe life into characters that, to me, were once no more than indistinguishable stone sculptures I viewed in museums. When history comes alive we can clearly see the similarities in the conflicts that played out in Roman times with those we face today.
All in all, this is another triumph from Quintus Curtius!
June 10, 2017
It's too bad more of Sallust's work didn't survive, he was a great writer and thinker. This classic revisits some events from time immemorial, with lessons for the present day. The translator is an attorney and former Marine Corps officer, who offers a perspective lacking in more antiquated or academic translations. Sallust's interpretation of history was always viewed through the prism of character and force of will, tested by the vagaries of fortune. No big picture arm waving or apologetics necessary. The war of Jugurtha is the longer and more compelling of the two works; the crucial characters are Jugurtha, King Bocchus of Mauretania, and the consuls Marius and Metellus. We can see in the War of Jugurtha the emergence of such soldier/dictators as Sulla, and the onset of the dissolution of the Roman republic. An educational and entertaining read, Curtius' translation allows you to view in great detail and colour the unfolding events, whether in the Roman senate during a fiery oration; sitting around a campfire with some wily tribal chieftains; or the dust and heat of the Numidian hinterland on a fifty mile march with the Roman infantry.
September 17, 2018
An outstanding translation - the translation notes were extremely helpful and very interesting.
I never heard of Sallust, which is why I chose this book. I happened to see it and was all "oooh never heard of those things." I can't stand not knowing things.
Sallust is the one of the best Romans I have read. I genuinely like him. I also like what he has to say. We live in a very black and white society. If you believe something wrong, you are evil. If you believe something right, you are good.
Sallust demonstrates that there is good and bad in all of us. Good people sometimes do bad things and believe bad things. Bad people sometimes do good things and believe good things. We are shades of gray.
I never heard of Sallust, which is why I chose this book. I happened to see it and was all "oooh never heard of those things." I can't stand not knowing things.
Sallust is the one of the best Romans I have read. I genuinely like him. I also like what he has to say. We live in a very black and white society. If you believe something wrong, you are evil. If you believe something right, you are good.
Sallust demonstrates that there is good and bad in all of us. Good people sometimes do bad things and believe bad things. Bad people sometimes do good things and believe good things. We are shades of gray.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews