The War with Catiline. The War with Jugurtha

Sallust, Gaius Sallustius Crispus (86-35 BCE), a Sabine from Amiternum, acted against Cicero and Milo as tribune in 52, joined Caesar after being expelled from the Senate in 50. He was restored to the Senate by Caesar and took part in his African campaign as praetor in 46, later appointed governor of New Africa (Numidia). Upon his return to Rome, he narrowly escaped conviction for malfeasance in office, retired from public life, and took up historiography.

Sallust's two extant monographs focus on the moral and political decline of Rome. One centres on the conspiracy of Catiline, and the other addresses the war with Jugurtha.

Although Sallust is decidedly unsubtle and partisan in analysing people and events, his works are important and have significantly influenced later historians, notably Tacitus. Taking Thucydides as his model but building on Roman stylistic and rhetorical traditions, Sallust achieved a distinctive style that is concentrated and arresting. His works contain lively characterisations, especially in the speeches, and he skilfully uses particular episodes to illustrate large general themes.

For this edition, Rolfe's text and translation of The War with Catiline and The War with Jugurtha have been thoroughly revised in line with the most recent scholarship.