Editing Lepidus (section)

===Second Triumvirate===
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 | caption2 = '''Top''': the division of Roman territory on the foundation of the Triumvirate (43 BC).<br> '''Bottom''': the division of territory after the Battle of Philippi.<br> {{col-begin}}{{col-2}} {{legend|#81EE5B|Antony}}{{legend|#C19666|Lepidus}}{{legend|#DE8DE0|Octavian}}{{legend|#FF925E|Triumvirs collectively}}{{col-2}}{{legend|#7D87FF|Sextus Pompey}}{{legend|#ED1C24|Brutus & Cassius}}{{legend|#FED250|Rome's client kingdoms}}{{legend|#FF8C8C|Ptolemaic Egypt}}{{col-end}}
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Antony and Lepidus now had to deal with [[Augustus|Octavian Caesar]], Caesar's great-nephew, who had been adopted by Caesar in Caesar's will. Octavian was the only surviving commander of the forces that had defeated Antony at Mutina (modern [[Modena]]). The Senate instructed Octavian to hand over control of the troops to Decimus Brutus, but he refused. Antony and Lepidus met with Octavian on an island in a river, possibly near Mutina, but more likely near Bologna.  Their armies lined along opposite banks.<ref name="Holland, Rubicon, 360">Holland, ''Rubicon'', 360.</ref> They formed the [[Second Triumvirate]], legalized with the name of ''Triumvirs for Confirming the Republic with Consular Power'' (Triumviri Rei Publicae Constituendae Consulari Potestate) by the ''[[Lex Titia]]'' of 43. With the triumvirs in possession of overwhelming numerical superiority, Decimus Brutus' remaining forces melted away, leaving the triumvirs in complete control of the western provinces.

Unlike the [[First Triumvirate]] of Caesar, [[Pompey]], and [[Marcus Licinius Crassus|Crassus]], this one was formally constituted. In effect, it sidelined the [[consul]]s and the Senate and signalled the death of the [[Roman Republic|Republic]].<ref name="Holland, Rubicon, 360"/> The triumvirate's legal lifespan was for five years. At the beginning Lepidus was confirmed in possession of both the provinces of Hispania, along with [[Narbonese Gaul]], but also agreed to hand over seven of his legions to Octavian and Antony to continue the struggle against Brutus and Cassius, who controlled the eastern part of Roman territory. In the event of a defeat, Lepidus' territories would provide a fall-back position. Lepidus was to become consul and was confirmed as Pontifex Maximus. He would assume control of Rome while they were away.

According to Lepidus's biographer Richard D. Weigel, Lepidus' willingness to give up his legions inevitably consigned him to a subsidiary role in the triumvirate. {{quote|Lepidus had in fact already reached the peak of his power. By becoming pontifex maximus and triumvir he had gained a level of recognition that would preserve his name and save a very small niche for him in the history of western civilization. However, in agreeing to yield seven of his legions and allow Octavian and Antony the glory of defeating Brutus and Cassius, he had consigned himself to a minor role in the future.<ref name = "lep"/>}}

Lepidus also agreed to the [[proscription]]s that led to the death of Cicero and other die-hard opponents of Caesar's faction. Later historians were particularly critical of him for agreeing to the death of his brother [[Lucius Aemilius Lepidus Paullus|Lucius Paullus]], a supporter of Cicero. However, [[Cassius Dio]] hints that Lepidus helped Paullus to escape.<ref name = "lep"/>