THE SECOND TRIUMVIRATE

Emilio Lepido   On November 27th, 43 BC the so-called "Lex Titia" legalized the Second Triumvirate of Octavian, Mark Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus; with this, the Triumvirate was officially given the power to make or annul laws without the need for approval from the Senate or the people. The passing of the Lex Titia thus marked the formal end of the Roman Republic. The law, originally intended to last for a total of five years, was renewed in 38 BC; after the fall and exile of Lepidus in 36 BC, however, the wars between Octavian and Mark Antony led to the expiration of the Lex Titia in 33 BC and the subsequent Civil War. Later, while narrating the meeting between the Triumvirs near Bononia (now Bologna) preceding the approval of the Lex Titia, Suetonius will write:
«When the forces of the triumvirs were assembled at Bononia, an eagle that had perched upon his tent made a dash at two ravens, which attacked it on either side, and struck them to the ground. From this the whole army inferred that there would one day be discord among the colleagues, as actually came to pass, and divined its result.»
(Suetonius, Augustus, 96.) English translation is by J. C. Rolfe   The miniature above depicts Aemilius, no more than a young boy, going into battle and saving the life of a Roman citizen.   "Aemilius Lepidus", illumination from the manuscript "Les Fais et les Dis des Romains et de autres gens", ms. Harley 4374, f. 161r, between 1473 and c. 1480, British Library, London.
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