In Plutarch's account, Lepidus was opposed by his fellow consul, Quintus Lutatius Catulus, who was supported by the Roman senate (in the civil wars Sulla had been a supporter of the senatorial aristocracy against the Marians who espoused the cause of the common people). He wrote that Catulus was more suited to "political than military leadership" and, thus, Pompey (Lepidus old benefactor) had to make a decision about who he would support. He sided with the aristocracy and was appointed as a commander of an army to confront Lepidus. Lepidus had mobilised support in a large part of Italy and sent Marcus Junius Brutus to hold Gallia Cisalpina with an army.