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Literary
October 14, 1799
Jenks's Portland Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
Translation from Sallust describing Sempronia, a talented Roman lady and Catiline conspirator, who despite her beauty, education in languages, music, and poetry, abandoned honor and chastity, committing crimes like betrayal and assassination through passion and luxury.
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Full Text
From the Farmer's Museum.
Translation of Sallust's Character of Sempronia, a
Roman Lady.
One of the accomplices of Catiline was
Sempronia, who, with manly boldness, had
been guilty of numerous crimes. This lady
was blest with birth, beauty, a husband and
children. She was skilled in the Greek and
Latin languages. She understood music,
dancing, and other dissipating accomplishments
too accurately for a modest matron. But her
honour and her chastity were the least of her
care ; and it was problematical if she were most
lavish of her fortune or her favours. Such was
the ardour of her passions, that she solicited
gallants oftener than they solicited her. She
had frequently betrayed confidence, had abjured
her honor, had been privy to an assassination,
and by luxury and want had been on the verge
of ruin. Still she possessed in no inferior degree,
the gifts of mind. She was a poetess ; skilful
in raillery, and of colloquial powers so various
that she could converse, with modesty, lascivi-
ously, or with impudency blended with the
greatest wit and humour.
Translation of Sallust's Character of Sempronia, a
Roman Lady.
One of the accomplices of Catiline was
Sempronia, who, with manly boldness, had
been guilty of numerous crimes. This lady
was blest with birth, beauty, a husband and
children. She was skilled in the Greek and
Latin languages. She understood music,
dancing, and other dissipating accomplishments
too accurately for a modest matron. But her
honour and her chastity were the least of her
care ; and it was problematical if she were most
lavish of her fortune or her favours. Such was
the ardour of her passions, that she solicited
gallants oftener than they solicited her. She
had frequently betrayed confidence, had abjured
her honor, had been privy to an assassination,
and by luxury and want had been on the verge
of ruin. Still she possessed in no inferior degree,
the gifts of mind. She was a poetess ; skilful
in raillery, and of colloquial powers so various
that she could converse, with modesty, lascivi-
ously, or with impudency blended with the
greatest wit and humour.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Political
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Sempronia
Catiline
Roman Lady
Moral Decay
Accomplishments
Crimes
Satire
What entities or persons were involved?
Sallust (Translated)
Literary Details
Title
Translation Of Sallust's Character Of Sempronia, A Roman Lady
Author
Sallust (Translated)
Subject
Character Of Sempronia, Accomplice Of Catiline
Key Lines
One Of The Accomplices Of Catiline Was Sempronia, Who, With Manly Boldness, Had Been Guilty Of Numerous Crimes.
She Was Skilled In The Greek And Latin Languages. She Understood Music, Dancing, And Other Dissipating Accomplishments Too Accurately For A Modest Matron.
But Her Honour And Her Chastity Were The Least Of Her Care ; And It Was Problematical If She Were Most Lavish Of Her Fortune Or Her Favours.
She Had Frequently Betrayed Confidence, Had Abjured Her Honor, Had Been Privy To An Assassination, And By Luxury And Want Had Been On The Verge Of Ruin.
She Was A Poetess ; Skilful In Raillery, And Of Colloquial Powers So Various That She Could Converse, With Modesty, Lasciviously, Or With Impudency Blended With The Greatest Wit And Humour.