Marcus Perperna Vento

Quick Facts: Who was Marcus Perperna Vento?

Subject:

Marcus Perperna Vento

Known for:

Roman aristocrat, statesman, and general who conspired against Quintus Sertorius.

Born:

200 BC

Died:

72 BC

Century / Era:

-200s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Marcus Perperna (or Perpenna) Veiento (also, incorrectly, Vento; died 72 BC) was a Roman aristocrat, statesman and general. He fought in Sulla's civil war, Lepidus' failed rebellion of 77 BC and from 76 to 72 BC in the Sertorian War. He conspired against and assassinated Quintus Sertorius, and was defeated and executed by Pompey the Great. The names Perperna and Perpenna are attested for this nomen gentilicium (of Etruscan origin), but Perperna is more frequent and the form used in the most reliable inscriptions, followed by the prosopographical scholarship (e.g. Broughton). Not much is known about Perperna before the civil wars against Sulla.

Career & Major Achievements

Perperna was a member of the Cinna-Marius faction during their war against the Sullan faction. He governed the island of Sicily as propraetor during the second civil war. After Sulla defeated the populares faction in Italy he sent his new stepson-in-law Pompey (Pompey had married Aemilia, Sulla's stepdaughter) to recover Sicily and Africa. Perperna abandoned the island upon hearing of the size and nature of the force sent against him. After Sulla became Dictator of Rome, Perperna was proscripted and went into exile.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After Sulla's death he was recalled by Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, the consul of 78 BC, whom he joined in rebellion against the Sullan faction. Lepidus marched his army on Rome but was defeated by Quintus Lutatius Catulus in a brisk military action just outside of the city while Lepidus' legate Marcus Junius Brutus was defeated by Pompey at Mutina. Perperna and Lepidus pulled their forces back through Etruria to the island of Sardinia. Lepidus died while on Sardinia - by some accounts of a broken heart - brought on not by his failed bit for power but by the accidental discovery that his wife had been unfaithful to him. In 76 BC Perperna took their army - a substantial affair of several legions - to Liguria and continued the rebellion.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 200 BC: Birth of Marcus Perperna Vento — Roman aristocrat, statesman, and general who conspired against Quintus Sertorius.
2. 72 BC: Passing & Historical Legacy — Marcus Perperna Vento passed away on -72, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Marcus Perperna Vento

True or False: “Marcus Perperna was executed by Pompey the Great immediately after his initial defeat in Sulla's civil war.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Perperna was proscripted and went into exile after Sulla became Dictator; he was ultimately defeated and executed later during the Sertorian War period.

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