Editing Lepidus (section)

===Aftermath of Caesar's death===
[[File:Map Gallia Tribes Towns.png|thumb|left|Narbonese Gaul ("Narbonensis") and Cisalpine Gaul ("Gallia Cisalpina"). After Munda, Antony retreated towards Lepidus's territory to join up with him.]]

As soon as Lepidus learned of Caesar's murder, he acted decisively to maintain order by moving troops to the [[Campus Martius]].<ref>Weigel ''Lepidus: The Tarnished Triumvir'' p.43</ref> He proposed using his army to punish Caesar's killers, but was dissuaded by Antony and [[Aulus Hirtius]].<ref>John Hazel, ''Who's Who in the Roman World'', Routledge, London, 2001, p.165.</ref> Lepidus and Antony both spoke in the senate the following day, accepting an amnesty for the assassins in return for preservation of their offices and Caesar's reforms. Lepidus also obtained the post of ''[[pontifex maximus]]'', succeeding Caesar.

At this point, Pompey's surviving son [[Sextus Pompey]] tried to take advantage of the turmoil to threaten Spain. Lepidus was sent to negotiate with him. Lepidus successfully negotiated an agreement with Sextus that maintained the peace. The Senate voted him a public thanksgiving festival. Lepidus thereafter administered both [[Hispania]] and [[Narbonese Gaul]] as [[proconsul]].<ref>Weigel ''Lepidus: The Tarnished Triumvir'' p.50</ref><ref> {{Cite journal |last=Weigel |first=Richard D. |date=1974 |title=Lepidus Reconsidered |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24591370 |journal=Acta Classica |volume=17 |pages=67–73 |issn=0065-1141}}</ref>

When Antony attempted to take control of [[Cisalpine Gaul]] (northern Italy) by force and to displace [[Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus|Decimus Brutus]], the Senate, led by [[Cicero]], called on Lepidus to support Brutus&nbsp;– one of Caesar's killers. Lepidus prevaricated, recommending negotiation with Antony. After Antony's defeat at the [[Battle of Mutina]], the Senate sent word that Lepidus' troops were no longer needed. Antony, however, marched towards Lepidus's province with his remaining forces. Lepidus continued to assure the Senate of his loyalty, but engaged in negotiations with Antony. When the two armies met, large portions of Lepidus's forces joined up with Antony. Lepidus negotiated an agreement with him, while claiming to the Senate that he had no choice. It is unclear whether Lepidus' troops forced him to join with Antony, whether that was always Lepidus's plan, or whether he arranged matters to gauge the situation and make the best deal.<ref>Weigel ''Lepidus: The Tarnished Triumvir'' pp.&nbsp;59–62.</ref>