Marcus Aemilius Lepidus was a Roman patrician who became a member of the Second Triumvirate and later became the Pontifex Maximus.
Lepidus was also one of Julius Caesar's greatest supporters. In 49 BC, while Caesar was in Spain defeating Pompey, Lepidus was placed in charge of Rome. And for this, he was rewarded with consulship. In 44 BC, when Caesar became dictator for life by the senate, Caesar appointed Lepidus as, "Master of the Horse", meaning he would serve as Caesar's main lieutenant. But when Caesar was assassinated on the Ide's of March. Caesar had left an heir, Gaius Octavian.
After Caesar's murder, Lepidus became allies with Marc Anthony, hoping to gain power. The three men (Octavian, Anthony, and Lepidus) all met and formed the Second Triumvirate. Unlike the First Triumvirate, the Second Triumvirate was named legal by the Triumvirs for the Organization of the People in 43 BC. The Second Triumvirate declared war on the murderers of Caeser in the Battle of Philippi (although Lepidus himself remained in Rome). After a successful defeat, Lepidus ruled over the western providences of Hispania and Africa.
But Marc Anthony and Octavian would often quarrel with one another and Lepidus made and effort to distance himself.In 36 BC Octavian was displeased with Lepidus' governing. Octavian accused Lepidus of trying to take over and gain power in Sicily. He was exiled to Circeii. He was also stripped of all his power except for Pontifex Maximus. He died a natural death in late 13 BC or early 12 BC.
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