What was Sallust's central thesis about Rome's decline?
My central thesis is that the decline of Roman virtue was the primary cause of the Republic's decay. Initially, poverty and a strong sense of civic duty compelled Romans to act with moderation and restraint. However, as Rome grew wealthy and powerful, a corrosive greed for wealth and an insatiable lust for power took hold. This unchecked ambition led to corruption, factionalism, and ultimately, a breakdown of the social and political order that had made Rome great. The private interest supplanted the public good.