Ο Honos στον Σαλλούστιο : Honesta nomina, honestae spes, inhonesti homines
Part of : Παρνασσός ; Vol.ΜΗ, No.1, 2006, pages 75-86
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75-86
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Honos in Sallust : Honesta nomina, honestae spes, inhonesti homines
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Honos plays an important role in Sallust’s work. All the people in his historical texts seek honor, but they use different methods to achieve it: bonus vera via nititur, ignavos dolis atque fallaciis contendit. In both cases, however, all of them try to appear honest, although many of them have no scruples about selling out everything, honorable and dishonorable, in order to fulfill their own interests. Especially after the fall of Carthage, at which time in Rome the ideological and moral standard of the mos maiorum has largely disappeared, there is a perversion of honorable emulation for public office, honors and fame, and each faction endeavors to push its own people into positions of power. Most Romans have a higher regard for wealth than for virtue, and hypocrisy and corruption prevail in society. Sallust criticizes this state of affairs and distressingly notes that for most Romans the pursuit of honor has been reduced to a mere means of fulfilling their ambition and avarice.
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