Overview
Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (c. 30 BC – 33 AD) was a patrician Roman senator, politician and general, praised by the historian Tacitus.
Origin and early career
Lepidus was the son of Cornelia and Paullus Aemilius Lepidus (who served as a censor) and brother-in-law to Augustus' granddaughter Julia the Younger, who was married to his brother Lucius Aemilius Paullus, consul in 1 AD. Thus, he was a member of one of the oldest patrician families, the Aemilii.
He became consul in 6 AD. He then distinguished himself as legate in charge of an army during the Illyrian War (6 – 9 AD) under the command of Tiberius, the later emperor. After the end of the war he served as governor either of Dalmatia (modern day Croatia and Bosnia) or Pannonia (modern day Hungary).
At the time of Augustus' death, in 14 AD, he was governor of Northern Spain in charge of an army of three legions. While there were serious riots in the armies in Germany and Pannonia after Augustus' death, Lepidus' army gave no trouble.
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