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Marcus Aemilius Lepidus was born around 90 B. C. into one of the most prominent Roman families at that time. His father attained the consulship in 78 BC, but died in the following year because he rebelled against the state in an attempt to abolish Sulla's laws.

This might have made the start of Lepidus' political career harder, but he managed to become pontifex, moneyer, aedil and interrex on his own. The higher offices weren't that easy, and he needed Caesar's help to reach those. In return, he proclaimed Caesar dictator when he himself held the office of praetor in 49 BC. A proconsulate in Hispania citerior in 48-47 BC was his reward, before he finally reached the highest office of consul in 46 BC. He was magister equitum in 45-44 BC.

After Caesar's assasination on the ides of March 44 BC, he attached himself to Caesar's most prominent follower Marcus Antonius, who helped Lepidus become pontifex maximus (highest priest). In turn, Lepidus helped Antonius when the latter needed troops. This alliance paid off, and Lepidus became part of the second Triumvirate, the alliance of the three most powerful men in Rome, together with Antonius and Caesar's designated heir Octavianus (Augustus) in 43 BC.

Unfortunately for Lepidus, this new alliance didn't share power equally, and he was the one who ended up with the short end of the stick. While his colleagues chased Caesar's murderers in the East, he had to stay in Rome to "protect their interests". At least he was consul again.

But the others, especially Octavianus (Augustus) didn't really trust him. Lepidus was suspected of collaborating with their enemy Sextus Pompeius, one of the sons of Pompeius the Great, and lost all of his provinces as a result.

But between 40-36 BC he was allowed to have Africa and helped Octavianus in the fight against Sextus. Here he made a mistake that cost him all of his power. After the defeat of Sextus he wanted Sicily for himself, but Octavianus hated that idea and consequently stripped him of all of his offices and privileges, leaving him only the title of pontifex maximus, which was usually lifelong. Ironically, this mistake probably saved Lepidus' life, as Octavianus and Antonius went on to fight each other over who would become the most powerful man in Rome. The fight ended with Antonius committing suicide after his defeat at Actium and Octavianus becoming the sole ruler over Rome under the name Augustus.

Lepidus, on the other hand, lived his life in relative peace as a "private man" and died of old age in 12 BC.

Marcus Aemilius Lepidus was born around 90 B. C. into one of the most prominent Roman families at that time. His father attained the consulship in 78 BC, but died in the following year because he rebelled against the state in an attempt to abolish Sulla's laws.

This might have made the start of Lepidus' political career harder, but he managed to become pontifex, moneyer, aedil and interrex on his own. The higher offices weren't that easy, and he needed Caesar's help to reach those. In return, he proclaimed Caesar dictator when he himself held the office of praetor in 49 BC. A proconsulate in Hispania citerior in 48-47 BC was his reward, before he finally reached the highest office of consul in 46 BC. He was magister equitum in 45-44 BC.

After Caesar's assasination on the ides of March 44 BC, he attached himself to Caesar's most prominent follower Marcus Antonius, who helped Lepidus become pontifex maximus (highest priest). In turn, Lepidus helped Antonius when the latter needed troops. This alliance paid off, and Lepidus became part of the second Triumvirate, the alliance of the three most powerful men in Rome, together with Antonius and Caesar's designated heir Octavianus (Augustus) in 43 BC.

Unfortunately for Lepidus, this new alliance didn't share power equally, and he was the one who ended up with the short end of the stick. While his colleagues chased Caesar's murderers in the East, he had to stay in Rome to "protect their interests". At least he was consul again.

But the others, especially Octavianus (Augustus) didn't really trust him. Lepidus was suspected of collaborating with their enemy Sextus Pompeius, one of the sons of Pompeius the Great, and lost all of his provinces as a result.

But between 40-36 BC he was allowed to have Africa and helped Octavianus in the fight against Sextus. Here he made a mistake that cost him all of his power. After the defeat of Sextus he wanted Sicily for himself, but Octavianus hated that idea and consequently stripped him of all of his offices and privileges, leaving him only the title of pontifex maximus, which was usually lifelong. Ironically, this mistake probably saved Lepidus' life, as Octavianus and Antonius went on to fight each other over who would become the most powerful man in Rome. The fight ended with Antonius committing suicide after his defeat at Actium and Octavianus becoming the sole ruler over Rome under the name Augustus.

Lepidus, on the other hand, lived his life in relative peace as a "private man" and died of old age in 12 BC.