A Sallust Reader: Selections from Bellum Catilinae and Bellum Iugurthinum, and Historiae

by Sallust, Victoria E. Pagán (Editor)

This reader aims to introduce advanced Latin students to the works of Sallust, unique among Roman historians for several reasons. Because he uses standard vocabulary and uncomplicated syntax, Sallust is an accessible author at this level. Unlike other Roman historians whose subject matter was a distant past, Sallust writes about events that occurred in his lifetime. His roller-coaster career afforded him a unique opportunity to critique the inner mechanisms of contemporary Roman politics from the vantage of an outsider.

Complete with introduction, text, commentary, vocabulary, and bibliography, this volume contains selections (556 lines) from the Bellum Catilinae, the Bellum Iugurthinum, and the Historiae. Selections include character sketches, conspiracy and its betrayal, ethnography, a political speech, and a description of a lavish banquet. Students are prepared for an eventual reading of the monographs in their entirety and become acquainted with the fragmentary Historiae. This reader teaches the rudiments of Latin prose by reinforcing transferable skills that can be applied to other prose authors. While attention is given to Sallust's distinctive style, emphasis is placed on general structures so that students achieve comprehension and appreciation of Latin prose as a distinct-and majestic-art form in its own right.

Special Features

• Introduction to Sallust's life, work, and style
• Latin text selections (556 lines) from Sallust's Bellum Catilinae (232 lines: 3.3-4.2; 4.3-5.8, 15; 22-25; 27.2-29; 40-41; 53-54), the Bellum Iugurthinum (304 lines: 6-7; 17-19; 84-86), and Historiae (20 lines: 2.70)
• Grammatical and historical commentary printed at the back of the book

For over 30 years Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers has produced the highest quality Latin and ancient Greek books. From Dr. Seuss books in Latin to Plato's Apology, Bolchazy-Carducci's titles help readers learn about ancient Rome and Greece; the Latin and ancient Greek languages are alive and well with titles like Cicero's De Amicitia and Kaegi's Greek Grammar. We also feature a line of contemporary eastern European and WWII books.

Some of the areas we publish in include:

Selections From The Aeneid
Latin Grammar & Pronunciation
Greek Grammar & Pronunciation
Texts Supporting Wheelock's Latin
Classical author workbooks: Vergil, Ovid, Horace, Catullus, Cicero
Vocabulary Cards For AP Selections: Vergil, Ovid, Catullus, Horace
Greek Mythology
Greek Lexicon
Slovak Culture And History

Genres: History, Nonfiction

162 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2009

About the author

Gaius 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.

Reviews

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this for one of my classes this semester. I enjoyed the writing, and the notes in the back were helpful. But I don't know how many more accounts of the conspiracy of Catiline I can handle.
That being said, Sallust's characterization of Catiline is much more compelling than some of the others' (Cicero's. I'm talking about fucking Cicero). I think if I had to choose one of the ~fifty thousand (roughly) texts about the conspiracy, Sallust's would be my favorite.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for school, as part of one of my Latin classes. This was probably one of the best Latin textbooks I've used, with useful commentary and a very comprehensive vocabulary glossary. ((Two necessities in a textbook, in my opinion, which in previous textbooks I've used, have often been lacking!))