Marcus Junius Pera

Who is Marcus Junius Pera?

Marcus Junius Pera was a Roman politician during the Second Punic War. He was consul in 230 BC and censor with Gaius Claudius Centho in 225 BC. He was appointed dictator in 216 BC, rei gerundae causa, for the purpose of repelling the Carthaginian forces under Hannibal from Italy. In order to raise soldiers he armed not only slaves, but even criminals. He was the only dictator to serve a term simultaneously with another dictator, M. Fabius Buteo being appointed later that year to deal with constitutional matters in Rome.