Catón el joven y Salustio

Abstract

In this paper we will explore the relationship of friendship and, at the sametime, enmity between Cato the younger and Sallust. Both of them belonged to the samepost-Sila generation. Both of them had a similar cursus honorum: philosophical studies,early writings, Tribunate of the plebs. But Cato obtained the Praetura (not the Consulate)and Sallust was expelled from the Senate probri gratia and had to begin again his politicalcareer, becoming governor of the new province of Africa Nova. In life they were enemies,but Sallust was always in high consideration to Cato (not the other way). In this paper,we will examine such relationship to conclude in the Sallustian vindication of Cato andhis ideas and even attitudes, a visible claim in his works de Coniuratione Catilina, somefragments of the Historiae and Letters to Caesar (which we consider truly Sallustian).