Alison Rosenblitt
2014.11.11Transactions of the American Philological Association
tlooto Summary
Rome's political mood in 79 b.c.e. was marked by insecurity and unease due to Sulla's settlement, with concerns over exiled individuals and recriminations for civil war actions.
Abstract
<p class="summaryheading"><span class="summaryheading">summary:</span></p><p> Most scholars are convinced that Rome in 79 <small class="caps" xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">b.c.e. </small> remained cowed by fear of Sulla. This paper attempts a new reconstruction of the political mood of the year 79 and the significance of the successful consular canvass of M. Aemilius Lepidus. I argue that the insecurity of Sulla’s settlement was felt almost immediately after he stepped back from formal power. A general unease crystallized around two specific and explosive issues: the unresolved fate of those in exile from the Sullan regime and the possibility of recriminations for actions taken during the civil war and proscriptions. </p>
Citation format
ROSENBLITT, Alison. The turning tide: The politics of the year 79 b.c.e. Transactions of the American Philological Association, 2014, 144: 415–444.