The Power of Dialogism in Sallust’s Bellum Catilinae

H E King

doi:10.22158/sll.v4n4p105

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to highlight and analyze cases of dialogism between Sallust and Younger Cato in the Bellum Catilinae. Through close reading and linguistic analysis, prominent dialogue and its historical implications were examined. Afterwards, I used existing literature on dialogism and speeches in Ancient Historiography to speculate on Sallust’s motivation for incorporating dialogism into the Bellum Catilinae. I posit that Sallust uses dialogism as a tool to inspire introspection in the reader.

Highlights

Standing before the Senate, Cato begins to deliver a speech aimed at the very core of Roman society
In earlier chapters Sallust hints at similar issues with the moral situation in Rome, declaring that avarice subverted honesty, integrity, and other honorable principles: namque avaritia fidem probitatem ceterasque artis bonas subvortit (Sallust, Bellum Catilinae 10)
For Bakhtin, monological language is a corruption of an underlying dialogism, and language always has an dialogical aim

Summary

Introduction

Standing before the Senate, Cato begins to deliver a speech aimed at the very core of Roman society. Concerning Roman affairs both domestic and abroad, he exposes the decay of morality into materialism, laziness, and a loss of linguistic accuracy. He states that Romans praise riches and practice laziness, and do not distinguish between morally strong and deficient citizens. Since Cato’s speech in Chapter 52 draws parallels to Sallust’s earlier remarks, and the accuracy of Sallust’s account far from certain, an important question emerges: If these thoughts were not Cato’s true feelings, why did Sallust adapt Cato’s thoughts to echo his own agenda? Given the observation of echoes between Sallust and Cato, this paper aims to document the instances where such dialogue occurs and reflect on its significance and purpose

Result

Discussion