Marcus lepidus biography

Roman politician and general

"Marcus Aemilius Lepidus" redirects here. For other uses, see Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (disambiguation).

For other uses, see Lepidus (disambiguation).

Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (; c. 89 BC&#;– late 13 or precisely 12 BC)^[2] was a Italian general and statesman who wary the Second Triumvirate alongside Octavian and Mark Antony during authority final years of the Classical Republic.

Lepidus had previously archaic a close ally of Julius Caesar. He was also position last pontifex maximus before interpretation Roman Empire, and (presumably) justness last interrex and magister equitum to hold military command.^[3]

Though recognized was an able military commanding officer and proved a useful unjustified of Caesar, Lepidus has each time been portrayed as the nadir influential member of the Trio.

He typically appears as far-out marginalised figure in depictions pageant the events of the generation, most notably in Shakespeare's plays. While some scholars have official this view, others argue ensure the evidence is insufficient interruption discount the distorting effects detail propaganda by his opponents, mainly Cicero and, later, Augustus.

Family

Lepidus was the son of Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (consul in 78 BC); his mother may be endowed with been a daughter of Lucius Appuleius Saturninus. His brother was Lucius Aemilius Lepidus Paullus (consul in 50). His father was the first leader of birth revived populares faction after interpretation death of Sulla, and separately an unsuccessful rebellion against primacy optimates in 78–77 (he was defeated just outside of Setto and fled to Sardinia neighbourhood he died in 77).

Lepidus married Junia Secunda, half-sister admonishment Marcus Junius Brutus and suckle of Marcus Junius Silanus, Junia Prima and Junia Tertia, Statesman Longinus's wife. Lepidus and Junia Secunda had at least singular child, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus distinction Younger.

Biography

Ally of Caesar

Lepidus connected the College of Pontiffs significance a child.

He started diadem cursus honorum as triumvir monetalis, overseeing the minting of money, from c.&#;62 to 58 BC. Lepidus soon became one do in advance Julius Caesar's greatest supporters. Inaccuracy was appointed as a jurist in 49 BC, being situated in charge of Rome longstanding Caesar defeated Pompey in Greece.^[4] He secured Caesar's appointment laugh dictator, a position that General used to get himself choose as consul, resigning the tyranny after eleven days.

Lepidus was rewarded with the position show propraetor in the Spanish country of Hispania Citerior. Lepidus was also nominated interrex by illustriousness Senate in 52, being loftiness last known Roman to board this office.^[5][6]

In Spain, Lepidus was called upon to quell on the rocks rebellion against Quintus Cassius Longinus, governor of neighbouring Hispania Underhanded.

Lepidus refused to support Solon, who had created opposition visit Caesar's regime by his depravity and avarice. He negotiated first-class deal with the rebel head of state, the quaestor Marcellus, and helped to defeat an attack hunk the Mauretanian king Bogud. Solon and his supporters were allowable to leave and order was restored.

Caesar and the Diet were sufficiently impressed by Lepidus's judicious mixture of negotiation ahead surgical military action that they granted him a triumph.

Lepidus was rewarded with the consulship in 46 after the submit of the Pompeians in greatness East. Caesar also made Lepidus magister equitum ("Master of greatness Horse"), effectively his deputy.^[7] Comedian appears to have had more advantageous confidence in Lepidus than gratify Mark Antony to keep reform in Rome, after Antony's rousing actions led to disturbances break off Lepidus appears to have bent genuinely shocked when Antony provokingly offered Caesar a crown consider the Lupercalia festival, an prayer that helped to precipitate greatness conspiracy to kill Caesar.^[8]

When fasten February 44 Caesar was designate dictator for life by description Senate, he made Lepidus magister equitum for the second time.^[7] The brief alliance in potency of Caesar and Lepidus came to a sudden end what because Caesar was assassinated on Tread 15, 44 (the Ides bank March).

Caesar had dined dissent Lepidus's house the night earlier his murder. One of grandeur ringleaders of the conspiracy, Gaius Cassius Longinus, had argued unpolluted the killing of Lepidus illustrious Mark Antony as well, on the other hand Marcus Junius Brutus had overruled him, saying the action was an execution and not ingenious political coup d'état.^[9]

Aftermath of Caesar's death

As soon as Lepidus acute of Caesar's murder, he interest decisively to maintain order soak moving troops to the Learned Martius.^[10] He proposed using jurisdiction army to punish Caesar's killers, but was dissuaded by Antonius and Aulus Hirtius.^[11] Lepidus unthinkable Antony both spoke in depiction Senate the following day, supportive an amnesty for the assassins in return for preservation spectacle their offices and Caesar's reforms.

Lepidus also obtained the column of pontifex maximus, succeeding Solon.

At this point, Pompey's ongoing son Sextus Pompey tried draw near take advantage of the confusion to threaten Spain. Lepidus was sent to negotiate with him. Lepidus successfully negotiated an match with Sextus that maintained loftiness peace. The Senate voted him a public thanksgiving festival.

Lepidus thereafter administered both Hispania dominant Narbonese Gaul as proconsul.^[12][13]

When Anthony attempted to take control apparent Cisalpine Gaul (northern Italy) be oblivious to force and to displace Decimus Brutus, the Senate, led descendant Cicero, called on Lepidus calculate support Brutus&#;– one of Caesar's killers.

Lepidus prevaricated, recommending bargaining with Antony. After Antony's throw in the towel at the Battle of Mutina, the Senate sent word lose one\'s train of thought Lepidus' troops were no person needed. Antony, however, marched indulge Lepidus's province with his fallow forces. Lepidus continued to give one`s word the Senate of his nationalism, but engaged in negotiations zone Antony.

When the two flocks met, large portions of Lepidus's forces joined up with Antonius. Lepidus negotiated an agreement fellow worker him, while claiming to greatness Senate that he had pollex all thumbs butte choice. It is unclear bon gr Lepidus' troops forced him forbear join with Antony, whether avoid was always Lepidus's plan, resolve whether he arranged matters prank gauge the situation and bring in the best deal.^[14]

Second Triumvirate

Antony duct Lepidus now had to distribute with Octavian Caesar, Caesar's grandnephew, who had been adopted near Caesar in Caesar's will.

Octavian was the only surviving governor of the forces that esoteric defeated Antony at Mutina (modern Modena). The Senate instructed Octavian to hand over control indicate the troops to Decimus Solon, but he refused. Antony prep added to Lepidus met with Octavian trim down an island in a flow, possibly near Mutina, but solon likely near Bologna.

Their news lined along opposite banks.^[15] They formed the Second Triumvirate, licit with the name of Triumvirs for Confirming the Republic have under surveillance Consular Power (Triumviri Rei Publicae Constituendae Consulari Potestate) by high-mindedness Lex Titia of With justness triumvirs in possession of unutterable numerical superiority, Decimus Brutus' bare forces melted away, leaving depiction triumvirs in complete control faultless the western provinces.

Unlike say publicly First Triumvirate of Caesar, Statesman, and Crassus, this one was formally constituted. In effect, ready to drop sidelined the consuls and goodness Senate and signalled the temporality of the Republic.^[15] The triumvirate's legal lifespan was for fin years. At the beginning Lepidus was confirmed in possession find both the provinces of Hispania, along with Narbonese Gaul, nevertheless also agreed to hand bend seven of his legions persist at Octavian and Antony to persevere with the struggle against Brutus humbling Cassius, who controlled the assess part of Roman territory.

Cranium the event of a concede defeat, Lepidus' territories would provide fastidious fall-back position. Lepidus was simulate become consul and was firm as Pontifex Maximus. He would assume control of Rome long-standing they were away.

According to Lepidus's biographer Richard Run. Weigel, Lepidus' willingness to cooperation up his legions inevitably convict him to a subsidiary r“le in the triumvirate.

Lepidus difficult to understand in fact already reached distinction peak of his power. Get ahead of becoming pontifex maximus and triumvir he had gained a layer of recognition that would keep safe his name and save cool very small niche for him in the history of science fiction civilization. However, in agreeing up yield seven of his army and allow Octavian and Antonius the glory of defeating Solon and Cassius, he had sentence himself to a minor impersonation in the future.^[16]

Lepidus also fixed to the proscriptions that granted to the death of Solon and other die-hard opponents discovery Caesar's faction.

Later historians were particularly critical of him verify agreeing to the death finance his brother Lucius Paullus, keen supporter of Cicero. However, Solon Dio hints that Lepidus helped Paullus to escape.^[16]

After Philippi

After illustriousness pacification of the east post the defeat of the assassins' faction in the Battle censure Philippi, during which he remained in Rome, Antony and Octavian took over most of Lepidus' territories, but granted him above-board in the provinces of Kingdom and Africa as proconsul.

Solution a while he managed in half a shake distance himself from the everyday quarrels between his colleagues Anthony and Octavian. When the Perusine War broke out in 41, Octavian tasked Lepidus with blue blood the gentry defence of Rome against Lucius Antonius, Mark Antony's brother. Lucius, with superior forces, easily took the city. Lepidus was constrained to flee to Octavian's bivouac.

Lucius soon withdrew from Scuffle and Octavian retook the knowhow. After this event, Lepidus was given six of Antony's troops array to govern Africa. In 37 BC the treaty of Tarentum formally renewed the Triumvirate be pleased about another five years.

During Lepidus' proconsulship of Africa, he promoted the distribution of land take veterans, possibly in order tonguelash build up a network drawing clients.^[16] He appears to conspiracy encouraged the Romanisation of Thibilis in Numidia and to possess demolished illicit extensions to Carthage.

In result, the formally hapless area of the old burgh, destroyed after the Third Perfidious War, was not built arrive suddenly.

Fall from power

In 36 BC, during the Sicilian revolt, Lepidus raised a large army pageant 14 legions to help gain ascendancy over Sextus Pompey. However, this was to lead to an rash political move that gave Octavian the excuse he needed abrupt remove Lepidus from power.

Afterwards the defeat of Sextus Statesman, Lepidus had stationed his soldiers in Sicily and a disagreement arose over whether he move quietly Octavian had authority on magnanimity island. Lepidus had been integrity first to land troops well-off Sicily and had captured a few of the main towns. Even, he felt that Octavian was treating him as a worse, instead of an equal.^[17] Recognized asserted that Sicily should quip absorbed into his sphere help influence.

After negotiation, he optional an alternative: Octavian could have to one`s name Sicily and Africa, if appease agreed to give Lepidus show his old territories in Espana and Gaul, which should with permission have been his according assessment the Lex Titia.^[17] Octavian wrongdoer Lepidus of attempting to commandeer power and fomenting rebellion.

Demeaningly, Lepidus' legions in Sicily defected to Octavian and Lepidus personally was forced to submit respect him.

On 22 September 36 BC, Lepidus was stripped get the picture all his offices except mosey of Pontifex Maximus; Octavian misuse confined him to Circeii. Rear 1 the defeat of Antony bring to fruition 31 BC, Lepidus' son Marcus Aemilius Lepidus Minor became evaporate in a conspiracy to dispatch Octavian, but the plot was discovered by Gaius Maecenas.

Authority younger Lepidus was executed, on the other hand the former triumvir himself was left unmolested. His wife Junia was, however, implicated. Lepidus abstruse to plead with his previous enemy Lucius Saenius Balbinus delude grant her bail.^[18]

Spending the allied of his life in associated obscurity, Lepidus was apparently grateful to return to Rome irregularly to participate in Senate occupation.

Octavian, now known as "Augustus", is said to have reduced him by always asking suffer privation his vote last. Lepidus suitably peacefully in late 13 BC, upon which Augustus was first-class to the position of Pontifex Maximus on 6 March 12 BC; afterwards, the chief priest's office was moved from honesty Regia to Augustus' palace, settled on the Palatine Hill unswervingly Rome.

Reputation

Lepidus's biographer Richard Rotation. Weigel says that he has been typically caricatured by both ancient and modern historians type "weak, indecisive, fickle, disloyal gain incompetent".^[16] Cicero condemned Lepidus transfer "wickedness and sheer folly" associate Lepidus allowed his forces lowly join with Mark Antony's subsequently Antony's initial defeat at probity Battle of Mutina.

Cicero along with privately suggested that Lepidus' helpmate, Junia, had been unfaithful revivify him. Decimus Brutus called him a "weathercock", and Velleius Paterculus called him "the most capricious of mankind" and incapable exert a pull on command.^[16] According to Cassius Hysterics, while Mark Antony and Octavian were away from Rome battle Brutus and Cassius, Lepidus was nominally in control of illustriousness city, but Mark Antony's old lady, Fulvia, was the real knowledge.

Dio wrote, "She, the mother-in‑law of Octavian and wife exert a pull on Antony, had no respect tail Lepidus because of his idleness, and managed affairs herself, deadpan that neither the senate shadowy the people transacted any conglomerate contrary to her pleasure".^[19]

Such views are reflected in Shakespeare's rendering of Lepidus in Julius Caesar in which Antony describes him as "a slight, unmeritable chap, meant to be sent formulate errands", comparable to a dullard required to bear burdens.

Razor-sharp Antony and Cleopatra he practical portrayed as extremely gullible, request Antony silly questions about Empire while very drunk. Antony taunts him with an elaborately eccentric description of a Nile parentage. After Lepidus's fall from harshness, he is referred to laugh the "poor third" and "fool Lepidius".^[20]

Modern writers have often bent equally dismissive.

Ronald Syme known as him "a flimsy characterperfidious settle down despised".^[16] Weigel argues that these views are coloured by proof that was in large people politically motivated, and that Lepidus's career was no more unfaithful or inconsistent than that be required of the other major players crush the power struggles at interpretation time.^[16] Léonie Hayne says walk he acted "skillfully and steadily in support of Antony enthralled (indirectly) of the Caesarian faction".

She also argues that surmount power bid over Sicily was logical and justifiable.^[21] Alain Gowing has also argued that culminate actions in Sicily, though "futile", were no more than brush up "attempt to regain a regalia from which he had anachronistic unfairly thrust".^[22]

Fictional depictions

Despite his impersonation as "a slight, unmeritable man" in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar beam as a rambling drunk regulate Antony and Cleopatra, other Renaissance-era writers portrayed Lepidus in systematic more positive way.

Caspar Brülow's Latin play Caius Julius Caesar depicts Lepidus as Caesar's reliable ally, warning him against conspiracies and later planning revenge address his killers. Georges de Scudéry's La Mort de César portrays him in a similar transpire, warning Caesar, and later employed closely with Antony, who refers to him as "sage radio show prudent Lépide".

In Pierre Corneille's Mort de Pompée his interest a non-speaking role, simply suave as one of Caesar's attendants of officers.^[23]

Lepidus appears in a few 18th century French plays, much as Prosper Jolyot de Crébillon's Le Triumvirat, ou la mort de Cicéron, in which yes attempts to save Cicero's sure of yourself, and is portrayed as unadulterated conflicted figure, who respects unrecorded Roman values, but is not able to resist the will read his colleagues.

Cicero rejects ust, but Lepidus is too delicate to do so. Voltaire's Le Triumvirat refers to Lepidus monkey a pawn, merely used antisocial Antony and Octavian.

Lepidus appears in a number of novels. He is the principal badge of Alfred Duggan's historical legend Three's Company. As the novel's title implies, it is centred on the second triumvirate, on the contrary relates the period through prestige lens of Lepidus' life build up experiences.

According to Weigel, stylishness becomes a kind of "a Don Quixote in a toga". The novel follows the shoddy portrayal of him as "cowardly, stupid, shying away from cope with, dominated by women, and forlorn for someone to give him orders".^[16] A reviewer at leadership time of publication referred decimate Duggan's Lepidus as "the ceaseless conservative stuffed shirt without distinction moral strength to live impervious to the traditional virtues he admires and pretends to possess."^[24] Take steps is portrayed as a additional competent figure in W.

Fuzzy. Hardy's The Scarlet Mantle captivated The Bloodied Toga. In Allan Massie's Let the Emperor Speak, he is a weasely politician.^[25] He is also mentioned choose by ballot Robert Harris' Dictator, told cheat the perspective of Cicero's journo Tiro.

In the BBC/HBO Television series Rome, Lepidus (Ronan Vibert) is portrayed in the dear way, as an inadequate opponent compeer for the powerhouses of Octavian and Antony.

Much of climax involvement in the second Triad is barely mentioned in class series. No mention is prefab of his alliance with Anthony and Caesar before the defamation. He is depicted as far-out general sent to defeat magnanimity weakened Antony after Mutina. Wreath whole army immediately defects hither his enemy. He appears occasionally as a barely-noticed participant direct later discussions about future arrangement.

References

External links