In 82 Sulla came back from the East, defeated the younger Marius (in alliance with the revolted Samnites), at the Colline Gate, and was created 'dictator reipublicae constituendae.' As such he issued a proscription list, ordering the execution of most of the democratic leaders. Having reformed the constitution in the interest of the optimates, he resigned his power.
After his death M. Lepidus (consul 78) tried to reverse his acts, but was expelled by his colleague Q. Catulus. He raised an army and tried, like Cinna, to effect his return by force, but was defeated by Catulus at the Mulvian Bridge, b.c. 77; he escaped to Sardinia, where he died.
vidistis, because they had all taken place within the last twenty-five years.
custodem huius urbis, he had saved Rome by defeating the Teutones and Cimbri (102, 101 b.c.)
redundavit only suits 'sanguine,' but is applied (by zeugma) to 'acervis corporum' as well, '(was choked) with heaps of corpses and flooded with blood.'
clarissimis viris. Among these were L. Caesar (consul 90, and one of the enfranchisers of the Italians) and Q. Catulus (consul 102) the colleague of Marius in the war against the Cimbri.
ne dici quidem, etc. The victims of the Sullan proscriptions numbered from four to five thousand.
Q. Catulo, son of the Catulus mentioned above.
non tam ipsius, i.e. it was not the fate of Lepidus himself which excited sympathy, but of those who were involved in it.