Roman Historiography: An Overview of Key Authors and Styles
Roman Historiography
Historiography, the study and narrative of past events, is arguably the oldest literary genre. Memories of the past have always been transmitted orally, giving rise to epic poetry and eventually, historiography. Roman historiography, however, differed significantly from its Greek counterpart. It was less rigorous and more moralistic, often judging and interpreting events from a Roman perspective rather than presenting them objectively.
Sources of Roman Historiography
Understanding Roman historiography requires examining the sources used by historians. These sources can be broadly categorized as:
Public Texts:
- Sacerdotal Records: Priests meticulously recorded significant events like prodigies, favorable days, and calamities.
- Official Documents: Treaties, laws, and census records provided valuable insights into Roman society and governance.
Private Texts:
- Family Archives: Patrician families maintained archives documenting the achievements and military exploits of their members.
- Funeral Orations (Laudatio Funebres): Eulogies delivered at funerals were often preserved, offering glimpses into the lives of prominent individuals.
Key Figures in Roman Historiography
Caesar
Julius Caesar, arguably the most captivating figure of his time, embodied the Roman ideal. He was intelligent, politically astute, and a brilliant military strategist. Caesar’s physical presence was also striking, and he proved himself a courageous and resilient general who could match his soldiers in battle. He was a devoted son, husband, and father, but his ambition was his greatest flaw. Caesar resorted to demagoguery and corruption to achieve his goals. His intelligence was remarkable, and he was a skilled writer.
Born into a noble patrician family, Caesar led a tumultuous life. He initiated a new type of one-man rule, implementing monarchical reforms. His literary works ranged from grammar to treaties, but his most significant contributions are his historical texts: The Gallic Wars and The Civil War. These autobiographical accounts narrate his exploits and justify his actions. His purpose in writing was political. In The Gallic Wars, he sought to prolong his powers and legitimize a military campaign he initiated without authorization. In The Civil War, he aimed to absolve himself of responsibility for the conflict.
Caesar was a master propagandist. He achieved his objectives through a narrative that appeared simple and objective. He used the third person to refer to himself, presented events in a logically connected sequence, prefaced his narratives with explanations of his perspective, and omitted details that might have cast him in an unfavorable light.
Sallust
Sallust, a contemporary of Caesar, pursued a political career under Caesar’s influence. His career was marked by both successes and setbacks. He completed the cursus honorum but was accused of extortion. Sallust adopted a moralistic stance in his writings, criticizing the society of his time while offering self-justifications. He chose seemingly insignificant events like the Jugurthine War and the Catiline Conspiracy as subjects for his historical works.
Sallust’s writing style is clear, concise, and occasionally dry. He employed a slightly archaic language and demonstrated remarkable psychological insight, particularly in his character portraits. His notable works include The Conspiracy of Catiline, The Jugurthine War, and Histories.