Appian wrote that there was a conflict between the two consuls and their two factions (the Sullans and the Marians), and that the senate was afraid of both factions. It got them to swear that they would not let their differences escalate to the point of war. Lepidus realised that in the following year his oath not to make war on the Sullans would no longer be valid because it was considered that it was binding only during the term of office (which lasted only one year). Lepidus was allotted the military command of the province of Gallia Transalpina.