In The Jugurthine War, Sallust describes the Roman military leaders that are sent to fight against the Numidian king, Jugurtha, to make a political point about the corruption and immoral nature of the roman elite. Sallust includes speeches made by Adherbal to the roman senate, Gaius Memmius to a plebian crowd and Jugurtha to the roman senate in his work the Jurgurthine war. Sallust intended for his history of the Jurgurthine War for the entire of roman society especially the middle and lower class so as to hear his history of the Jurgurthine war and how it related to current events of the roman society. Sallust was a “supporter of the populares, the anti-senatorial group of politicians among whom Caesar had been since the late sixties …show more content…
He was the first noble to be sent against Jugurtha to try and subdue him. Sallust says about Lucius Calpurnius Bestia "the consul had many good qualities of mind and body, but they were all rendered useless by his avarice” pg. 64. Sallust means by this that Lucius Calpurnius Bestia was more interested in winning praise for his battle expertise than serving the Roman Republic. Aemilius Scaurus was one of Lucius Calpurnius Bestia‘s lieutenants. Aemilius Scaurus is described by Sallust as “although he was a political intriguer with an appetite for power, advancement, and riches, had enough cunning to hide his faults" pg. …show more content…
52. This treaty created by Bestia enraged the plebeians and caused resentment in the Senate. Sallust says that "It was chiefly the power of Scaurus, who was reported to be the prompter and accomplice of Bestia that deterred them from taking the honest and patriotic course" pg. 65. Sallust's views these two nobles with disgust. Sallust then produces Memmius' speech which amplifies the idea of the evil nobles "Setting forth the many arrogant and cruel acts of the nobles, he did this utmost to inflame the people’s feelings” pg. 65. In the speech Memmius claims that “In Rome, as well as at the battle front, the Republic has been put up for sale" pg. 69. The next consul in 110 after Lucius Calpurnius Bestia is Spurius Albinus, who was given Numidia as his consular province to watch over. Sallust assumed to that he was more concerned with glory and wealth, than with the interests of the Roman Republic. He did not stay in Numidia and had to return to Rome to attend the elections. He left his brother Aulus Albinus who was his praetor. Aulus was defeated by