Gaius Sallustius Crispus, commonly known as "Sallust", was a Roman politician and historian. He was born in 86 B.C.E. (before the common era) into a wealthy family of the business class. In the early part of his career he studied politics. When he was in his thirties, he served in different positions in Rome, until his political enemies forced him from the senate. However, Julius Caesar reinstated him and because of this Sallust became a big supporter of Caesar.

Sallust's political career greatly benefited from the expansion of the empire. In 46 B.C.E. he became governor of the province of Africa. But while he served there he accumulated a very large fortune and was accused of collecting his wealth by force. So he had to return to Rome and face charges for his crime, but with Caesar's help he was never convicted. Still, the scandal was serious enough for Sallust to retire from politics.

Sallust then turned to writing and became a noted historian. In his writings he used different methods to narrate various historical events. Sallust's writing style greatly influenced other Roman historians but unfortunately most of his writings have been lost. In his writings Sallust pad tribute to Rome's military achievements but later on in his life he regretted that expansion had helped cause greed in the aristocracy, which had brought corruption to the country. Sallust died in 35 B.C.E.