Sallust (Gaius Sallustius Crispus, 86 - c. 35 BC) has been one of the most popular and admired of all historians. Here is a bilingual edition of his account of the Catilinarian conspiracy (63 BC), the crisis that "made" Cicero's career and almost destroyed the Roman Republic.
This monograph is one of the richest and most gripping pieces of ancient writing. It portrays the corruption of Roman society and the desperate fight to preserve the Republic against the devious devices of Catiline, a disaffected member of the aristocracy who aimed to use terror, intrigue, and foreign alliances to overturn the entire Roman establishment. Brilliant speeches by Caesar and Cato; wonderfully pointed character delineation; a quick-moving plot; crisp language and sharp reflections all engage the reader. This work is a "must-read" for anyone interested in the history of Rome or in the development of the art of historical writing, offering many insights into politics, society, and human nature. Sallust was one of the first to speak of the decline of Rome; he also gives here his own well-considered answer to what made Rome great.
The text is above all for students of Latin and for those who wish to refresh their knowledge of the language. The contents are presented bilingually in pari passu format, that is, bit by bit, with an English translation given along the way to help scholars practice and accelerate their comprehension.
This second edition has been thoroughly revised and corrected. For classroom purposes, it also includes straight Latin and English texts separately.
