[1] Its radical criticism of ultra-revolutionary fervor and repression in France during the Reign of Terror contributed significantly to the downfall and execution of the moderate Dantonists.

This friendship lasted up until both Desmoulins and Danton (among fifteen other revolutionists), were put on trial in early April 1794 for their alleged royalist tendencies, their executions exemplified the reign of terror tumbling down.

Desmoulins sought to ally his journal's arguments with the less extreme politics of the earlier, "old" Cordeliers, while simultaneously repudiating the violent, anti-religious Hébertists.

In this goal, Desmoulins was supported by Robespierre, who viewed the Vieux Cordelier's attacks on the Hébertists as an effective means of reducing the faction's power and popularity.

The third number of the Vieux Cordelier, appearing 25 Frimaire (15 December 1793), changed tone, purported to quote without comment passages from the Annals of the Roman historian Tacitus concerning the oppressive reign of the emperor Tiberius.

While more likely drawn from the Discourses on Tacitus published in 1737 by Thomas Gordon,[4] these terse portraits - describing a civilization turned sick by fear and brutality - were effective in drawing a powerful parallel between Rome under Tiberius and France during the Terror.

Robespierre, hoping to present his friend "as an unthinking child who had fallen into bad company," recommended that the offending numbers of the journal be publicly burnt as an alternative to expelling Desmoulins from the Jacobins.

[10] The sixth number, though dated 10 Nivôse (30 December 1793), was further delayed due to the political concerns of its publisher Desenne,[2] and did not appear until 15 Pluviôse (3 February 1794).

The Seventh Number, penned mid-March, even before the arrest of his Hébertist enemies, never saw the light during Desmoulins' lifetime, largely due to apprehension about its political stance.