The Roman Revolution

The Second Triumvirate

Octavian went to Antony and persuaded him to join forces rather than fight. Lepidus, a wealthy and powerful man in his own right, served as a third, and the Second Triumvirate was created. The critical relationship, though, was between Octavian and Antony, and this was sealed by a marriage: Marc Antony married Octavian's sister, Octavia.

The three men then turned to the Senate and forced the passage of a law granting all three of them consular power for five years. Lepidus received Spain as his area of command, Antony received Gaul, and Octavian received Africa and Sicily, but none of them were required to reside in their provinces. In effect, the three of them now shared supreme power in Rome.

With the Second Triumvirate, Republican government was thrown permanently out of gear. The triumvirs appointed magistrates at will. They again packed the Senate with their own men. They had full control of armies and treasury, and followed their own foreign policy. Octavian instituted another round of proscriptions, and about 2,300 died or were exiled.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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