In The Conspiracy of Catiline, the author, Sallust stated his opinion that the zeal for personal and communal growth is a trait that separates humans from animals (Sallust 2–6). He believed that given the transient nature of human life, the prowess of the mind is a far more superior means of achieving recognition than that of the body (Sallust 2–6). In this context, the technological developments in the world today would probably enthrall Sallust. The discovery of television, personal computer, and the Internet; reaching the moon; conquering complex diseases; and breaking barriers in physics, geology, and medicine are some examples of development that reflects humankind’s mental agility. As his words indicate, “authority is always transferred from the less to the more deserving,” Sallust was definitely supportive of a democratic form of government (Sallust 6). Thus, he is likely to be pleased, as most of the modern world is a democratic society (Gould). However, the current spate of terrorism would meet his disapproval, for terrorism is a kind of war, and Sallust was against war (Sallust 6). He believed that people should lean more toward self and communal development and less toward self gratification (Sallust 7). He might thus be skeptical of the fact that entertainment is one of the most thriving industries in today’s world (Morss). However, the fact that stress is the reason for most health disorders today justifies the need for relaxation. Sallust must understand this before he criticizes the entertainment humans seek in the contemporary society. Contrastingly, he despised Catiline in spite of the latter’s personal developments, because the latter used his abilities for nefarious deeds (Sallust 10). This means that Sallust would despise the corruption that seems to be rampant nowadays. This is reflected in the democratic index that shows that although there are several democracies in the world, the rate of democratization has significantly reduced is the past few years (Direct Democracy) (Sunnak & Wheeler). The very fact that the book The Conspiracy of Catiline, is almost entirely concerned with the importance of maintaining law and order and that the senate is shown to be involved in meting out justice shows that Sallust believed in a fair law and order system. Although, it cannot be said conclusively that the justice system in today’s world is fair and proficient, it is a fact that the complexity of human nature and life will always make meting out justice a difficult process. However, we can certainly say that progress has been made in terms of efforts in the study of law, and perhaps Sallust would appreciate this fact. Sallust would also be more willing to understand the growing-up issues of the youth, as he has expressed in the book that he himself went through the trial and tribulation of growing up (Sallust 7).
The U.S. is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and affluent countries in the world today (The Top Ten Lists). The fact that it is a staunch supporter of democracy would certain meet Sallust’s approval (Direct Democracy). However, there is great inequality and stratification in the U.S society (Rose 1). This inequality is majorly in the form variances in medical facilities, education, income distribution depending on race and gender, and occupation (Rose 1) (Class Matters). Sallust, I think, would be pained to see this. He would blame people of having the same tendencies as Catiline’s. He would perhaps applaud the fact that the U.S. citizens have been astute and competitive in improving their development than those in many other countries, for instance, the third world countries. Moreover, as Sallust mentions Rome’s valor in defending itself in a positive light, he would also perhaps appreciate the U.S.’s defense power. However, the U.S. can be seen by him as a country with belligerent tendencies because of fact that it has initiated and participated in several wars such as the Iraq and Vietnam wars. The abolishment of slavery in the U.S. would also be favored by Sallust as this would be in accordance of his advocacy of democracy.
I believe that we can easily conclude that Sallust would be likely to compare Rome and the U.S., as both the nations have been among the most affluent and developed ones in their respective eras. The problems faced by the nations might be different, but the difference would only stem from the fact that the times in which the nations have existed were different. Human nature and human’s reactions to their surroundings have remained the same. The fact that people such as Catiline and Sylla are mentioned as those with ambitions and the importance of democracy, development, and living with moderation is mentioned in his book clarifies this fact (1, 2, 6, and 10). The U.S. has also seen its share of seditious people or people committing seditious acts, such as President Nixon in the Watergate Scandal (The Washington Post). We can conclude that Sallust would see a great deal of Rome in the U.S. Thus, Sallust would probably have mixed reactions to the situation in the U.S. and the rest of the world today, as humankind is still struggling with several problems that seem to exist in spite of the progress made by it.
Works Cited
“Class Matters: An Overview.” The New York Times (September 2011). 26 November 2011
Direct Democracy. “Democracy Index 2010.” (14 December 2010). 26 December 2011
Morss, Elliott. “The Economics of the Global Entertainment Industry.” Morss Global Finance (October 2010).
Gould, J.J. “New at the Atlantic: The Democracy Report.” The Atlantic February 28 2011. Print.
Rose, Stephen J. Social Stratification in the United States: The American Profile Poster Front Cover. New York: New Press, 2007. Print.
Sallust. Catilinarian Conspiracy. Ed. Watson, Rev. John Selby. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1884. Print.
Sunnak, Ravi; Wheeler, Josh “Democracy in Retreat.” (3 December 2010). 26 November 2011
The Top Ten Lists. “Top 10 Richest Countries in the World.” (January 2 2011). November 26 2011
The Washington Post. “The Watergate Story.” (2011). 26 November 2011
