The district was named after the senator Sallustio, who was the first to construct his building in the area in the first century BC. Passed over to the Roman Imperial Family, the property became the favourite residence of many emperors. Majestic remains can be still admired in the central square of the district. In the 19th century, many noble families chose this area to build their residences, such as the Boncompagni family, who gives his surname to the district. Even Pauline Bonaparte used to live here.