Lepidus, Marcus Aemilius

(died 13/12 BC) Roman consul (46, 42 BC) and triumvir (43–36). After the death of Julius Caesar, Lepidus controlled parts of Gaul, Spain, and Africa and wielded great influence. He and Mark Antony opposed the republican conspirators and in 43 formed the Second Triumvirate with Octavian (later Augustus). He acquired a second Spanish province but lost Spain and Gaul to Antony and Octavian, keeping only Africa. After helping defeat Sextus Pompeius (36), he challenged Octavian, but his soldiers defected and he was forced to retire.

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