Lepidus Tells About his Part in the Roman Second Triumvirate and his Betrayl By His Friends

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My name is Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and while you may have heard more about Octavian (who became Augustus) and Mark Antony, I was the third man in the Second Triumvirate—a political alliance that ruled Rome after the assassination of Julius Caesar. I might not be remembered as the most powerful or dramatic figure, but I played a key role in one of the most important transitions in Roman history. Let me tell you my story.

I was born around 89 BC into an ancient and respected Roman family. I grew up during one of the most chaotic times in the Republic’s history—civil wars, power struggles, and the rise and fall of powerful generals. Like many young Roman nobles, I served in both politics and the military, and I eventually became a supporter of Julius Caesar. I served him faithfully during his civil war against Pompey, and in return, Caesar made me governor of Hispania (Spain) and later appointed me Pontifex Maximus, the high priest of Rome.

Then came March 15, 44 BC—the Ides of March. Caesar was assassinated by a group of senators who feared he wanted to become a king. In the chaos that followed, I joined forces with Octavian, Caesar’s adopted son and heir, and Mark Antony, one of Caesar’s top generals. Together, we formed the Second Triumvirate, a three-man dictatorship with total power over Rome. We weren’t just allies—we were co-rulers. And we wasted no time going after Caesar’s killers.

One of our darkest acts was creating proscription lists—hit lists of our political enemies. People were executed and their property seized, including the famous orator Cicero, who had spoken out against Antony. It was brutal, but we believed it was necessary to restore order and avenge Caesar.

After defeating the assassins Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, things started to shift. Antony took the East, Octavian controlled the West, and I was left with Africa. At first, I still held important titles and influence, but over time, I was pushed aside. Octavian didn’t trust me, and Antony didn’t need me. Eventually, I was stripped of my power, sent into exile, and forgotten by the same Republic I had once helped rule.

I died around 13 or 12 BC, living quietly and far from the chaos of Rome. My name doesn’t appear in many heroic stories, and historians often call me the weakest link in the Triumvirate. But I was there in those crucial moments—after Caesar’s death, during the war against the assassins, and at the birth of the Roman Empire.

If there’s one lesson I want you to take from my story, it’s this: politics can be ruthless, and even those who rise high can fall fast. But in times of crisis, teamwork and loyalty—however fragile—can shape the course of history. Thank you for listening.

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