Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (78 BC)
Roman statesman and general who rose to prominence before leading a final rebellion against the state.
Quick Facts: Who was Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (78 BC)?
- Subject:
- Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (78 BC)
- Known for:
- Roman statesman and general who rose to prominence before leading a final rebellion against the state.
- Born:
- 120 BC
- Died:
- 77 BC
- Century / Era:
- -120s Historical Era Archive
- Verified Source:
- 2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives
Origins & Early Life
Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (c. 121 – 77 BC) was a Roman statesman and general. After the death of Lucius Cornelius Sulla, he joined or instigated a rebellion against the Sullan regime, demanding a consecutive term as consul late in his year and, when refused, marching on Rome. Lepidus' forces were defeated in a battle near the Milvian Bridge and he fled to Sardinia. He was the father of the triumvir Lepidus and of the Lucius Aemilius Lepidus Paullus who was consul in 50 BC. During the Social War, Lepidus fought in northern Italy under Pompey Strabo, who was consul in 89 BC.
Career & Major Achievements
He was probably aedile while Sulla was in Greece fighting the First Mithridatic War. By 82 BC, he had joined Sulla's side in the civil war; that year, or perhaps early in the next year, he may have captured the city of Norba in Latium. Some time, during Sulla's dictatorship, he held the praetorship. T R S Broughton, in Magistrates of the Roman Republic, dates this to 81 BC, a proposition with which T Corey Brennan agreed in Praetorship in the Roman Republic. Sulla's proscriptions made Lepidus a fortune.
Enduring Legacy & Impact
After his praetorship, Lepidus became propraetorian governor of Sicily, dated 80 BC. While Cicero, in the Verrines, blackens Lepidus' reputation as governor, these orations were written after Lepidus' dishonourable death in a context where it would have been difficult to separate invective against Lepidus and flattery for his successors from the truth. Regardless, it seems that his behaviour in Sicily was sufficient to prompt a prosecution by Metellus Nepos and Metellus Celer, men then in their youth. However, that the prosecution was dropped rapidly and without consequence for Lepidus' career – he was almost immediately elected consul – indicates either that the Metelli's case was weak or that Lepidus was too popular (possibly for his ability to successfully ship Sicilian grain to Rome) to be defeated in the courts. Lepidus was elected as consul prior for 78 BC with Quintus Lutatius Catulus as his colleague.
Chronological Milestones & Life Events
Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (78 BC)
True or False: “Did Marcus Aemilius Lepidus successfully secure a consecutive consulship in 78 BC?”
Answer (FALSE ❌): He demanded it when the senate ordered him to return home, but his refusal led directly to the senatus consultum ultimum against him.
Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines
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- Gaius Gracchus — Contemporary figure (Died in -121) (-121): Pioneering Roman reformer known for land laws and plebeian tribuneships in the 2nd century BC.
- Quintus Sertorius — Contemporary figure (Born in -123) (-123): Roman general and statesman who rebelled against the Senate in Hispania.
- Huo Qubing — Contemporary figure (Died in -117) (-117): Legendary Western Han general who defeated the Xiongnu confederation.
- Ptolemy XII Auletes — Contemporary figure (Born in -117) (-117): Ptolemaic King of Egypt, known as Auletes, who ruled during periods of intense Roman influence.
- Marcus Licinius Crassus — Contemporary figure (Born in -115) (-115): Wealthy Roman general and statesman pivotal to the late Republic's transformation.
- -120 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -120
- -77 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -77
Frequently Asked Questions about Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (78 BC)
Who was Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (78 BC) and what are their primary contributions?
Roman statesman and general who rose to prominence before leading a final rebellion against the state. Origins & Early Life: Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (c. 121 – 77 BC) was a Roman statesman and general. After the death of Lucius Cornelius Sulla, he joined or instigated a rebellion against the Sullan regime, demanding a consecutive term as consul late in his year and, when refused, marching on Rome. Lepidus' forces were defeated in a battle near the Milvian Bridge and he fled to Sardinia. He was the father of the triumvir Lepidus and of the Lucius Aemilius Lepidus Paullus who was consul in 50 BC. During the Social War, Lepidus fought in northern Italy under Pompey Strabo, who was consul in 89 BC.
When was Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (78 BC) born and during which historical era did they live?
Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (78 BC) was born on -120 and passed away on -77. For complete historical world events during this era, explore the -120 Chrono-Archive.
Where can I read more verified chronological archives on Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (78 BC)?
Explore verified primary sources, interactive timelines, and contemporary figures in the 2Day Chrono-Wiki encyclopedia or review the original entry on Wikipedia.
Source: Wikipedia