The Revolt of Lepidus (cos. 78 BC) Revisited

Abstract

Despite several attempts in the early 1970s to rehabilitate the reputation of the “turbulent and restless” (Gran. Lic. 36) revolutionary consul of 78 BC, the standard narratives still depict his “revolt” as a “flash in the pan” - or “a fire in straw”, as Orosius calls it (5.22.18) - and the consul himself as incompetent, and ambitious beyond his abilities. This paper argues that Lepidus’ previous defenders did not go far enough in showing that the consul, far from being a revolutionary mastermind plotting to overthrow the state during his consulship, scrupulously adhered to Sulla’s legislation for as long as he could in order to secure peace in Italy.

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