The War with Jugurtha [SALLUST]

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Gaius Sallustius Crispus, commonly known as Sallust (86 BCE – 35 BCE), was a Roman historian and politician of the late Republic. Born in Amiternum in the Sabine region, he pursued a political career and became a tribune of the plebs in 52 BCE. However, he was expelled from the Senate due to allegations of immorality. Despite this setback, he gained favor with Julius Caesar and was appointed governor of Africa Nova (modern-day Tunisia). Accusations of corruption marred his tenure, but he managed to retire with significant wealth.

Turning to literature, Sallust became one of the earliest Roman historians whose works have survived. His historical style, influenced by the Greek historian Thucydides, emphasized moral decay and political corruption. He authored two major works: "The Conspiracy of Catiline" and "The War with Jugurtha," both of which served as cautionary tales about Rome's internal weaknesses. His fragmented work, "Histories," chronicled the period following Sulla's dictatorship.

"The War with Jugurtha" (Bellum Iugurthinum) details Rome’s conflict with Jugurtha, the ambitious and cunning King of Numidia, occurring between 112 and 105 BCE. After eliminating his rivals, Jugurtha sought to dominate Numidia through bribery and military action. His ability to exploit Rome’s internal corruption prolonged the war, as Roman officials often accepted bribes to delay decisive intervention.
Sallust’s account criticizes the moral decline of Rome’s elite, portraying Jugurtha’s success as a symptom of a decaying republic. The narrative highlights key figures such as Gaius Marius, the reformist general who ultimately defeated Jugurtha, and Lucius Cornelius Sulla, whose role in securing Jugurtha’s capture foreshadowed his later prominence in Roman history.

John C. Rolfe (1859–1943), a classical scholar and Latinist, provided one of the most widely used English translations of "The War with Jugurtha" as part of the Loeb Classical Library series. First published in the early 20th century, Rolfe’s translation balances readability with scholarly precision. His work preserves Sallust’s rhetorical style—marked by brevity, archaism, and pointed moralizing—while remaining accessible to modern audiences.

The Loeb edition, featuring Latin and English on facing pages, remains a standard reference for students and scholars. While Rolfe’s translation is generally praised for its clarity, some critics argue that his formal English occasionally smooths over Sallust’s more abrupt and forceful expressions.
Like many ancient texts, "The War with Jugurtha" has survived through a complex manuscript tradition. The primary medieval manuscripts preserving Sallust’s works include:

- Codex Parisinus (10th century): One of the most reliable witnesses in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France.
- Codex Vaticanus (9th–10th century): Preserved in the Vatican Library, this manuscript contains "The Conspiracy of Catiline" and "The War with Jugurtha."
- Codex Palatinus (10th century): This manuscript, housed in Heidelberg, provides additional textual insights.

Sallust’s works were copied extensively during the Carolingian Renaissance, ensuring their preservation through the Middle Ages. In the Renaissance, humanist scholars like Poggio Bracciolini and Coluccio Salutati revived interest in Sallust, leading to early printed editions in the 15th century. The Aldine Press in Venice and subsequent 16th-century editions helped standardize the text, which continues to be refined through philological studies today.

"The War with Jugurtha" is more than just a historical account; it serves as a political commentary on Rome’s decline, reflecting Sallust’s concerns about corruption and virtue. Rolfe’s translation has facilitated a broader audience for this significant work, while the textual tradition underscores the enduring interest in Sallust’s sharp critique of power and politics. The survival of "Bellum Iugurthinum" through manuscript transmission and scholarly editions ensures its lessons remain relevant for future generations.

DESCRIPTION
Octavo, 212 pages, set in ITC Bodoni and printed on Century Laid cotton paper. Limited edition of 25 copies. Quarter-bound in leather with marbled boards, gilt titles and decoration on the spine, marbled endpapers, and marbled edges.

CONDITION
Brand new copy in a fine binding.

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