The Jugurthine War I-XII Summary and Analysis

Sallust talks about man's intellectual ability. He claims that too many men allow fate to control their lives and states the reason is that man is too obsessed with material items. Sallust states if man pursued worthy goals, he would govern his own fate. From this perspective, Sallust states that positions in public office that require intellectual ability are not desired because people are reaching powerful positions through unlawful means, rather than through merit. He continues to say a dictatorship could bring about the change needed in Roman society, but previous attempts have only brought bloodshed. After stating his concerns about the running of his country, he returns to the subject of the Jugurthine war.

Sallust states he is writing this book because of the great effect Jurgurtha, King of the Numbians, had on the...