<Articles>Concord and Instability in the Action of M. Aemilius Lepidus (cos. 78 BC)

Abstract

After his victory in the civil war, and with the application of considerable violence and coercion, Lucius Cornelius Sulla built a new Republican system. It is well-known, however, that he then promptly retired from government, and died shortly thereafter. Marcus Aemilius Lepidus attempted to make use of these exceptional circumstances in an effort to remove the new regime, but his figure and actions are generally held in undeservedly low esteem by the majority of our sources. Indeed, this historical context is explained on the basis of a period of protracted stasis, taking place at a critical moment of the Sullan regime. This paper seeks to analyze the views held by our ancient sources concerning the figure and actions of Lepidus, with a particular focus on recurring elements in their accounts concerning concord, and its relation to transgressions and instability observed in the system of that time.