The Second Triumvirate was a political and military alliance in ancient Rome between Octavian, Mark Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. It lasted from 43 to 36 BC, and existing in name until 31 BC. The main rationale for this alliance was to avenge Julius Caesar's assassination, which had taken place in 44 BC. Thus, Caesarians Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus joined together against Caesar’s murderers: Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus, as well as other Optimates (patricians) and Senate members who had conspired to assassinate Caesar. Unlike the First Triumvirate, the second had the support of the comitia, which granted the triumvirs extraordinary powers to “settle the Constitution.” The triumvirs used this power to divide the provinces among themselves and to publish proscriptions against political adversaries.
Unlike the First Triumvirate of Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus, this one was formally formed. Since it sidelined the consuls and the Senate, it signaled the death of the Roman Republic. The Second Triumvirate's legal lifespan was for five years. At the beginning Lepidus was confirmed as the ruler of both the provinces of Hispania, along with Narbonese Gaul; in exchange, he had agreed to hand over seven of his legions to Octavian and Antony to continue the war against Brutus and Cassius, who controlled the eastern part of Roman territory. Mark Antony was assigned the eastern provinces, while Octavian was given North Africa, which included Numidia. Rome and the Italian peninsula were administered collectively by the three triumvirs.
Both Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus were defeated at the Battle of Philippi, in Greece, in 42 BC. Although Brutus and Cassius survived and escaped, they both committed suicide as they were being pursued. After this final battle against Julius Caesar's murderers, the Second Triumvirate was dissolved because of internal dissension. Antony had ended the alliance in 36 BC, after he met Cleopatra. A war between Octavian and Mark Antony broke out in 31 BC over the control of Egypt. Octavian's general Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa captured the Greek city and naval port of Methone, loyal to Antony. The enormous popularity of Octavian with the legions secured the defection of the provinces of Cyrenaica and Greece to his side. On September 2, Antony was decisively defeated at the naval Battle of Actium. Antony and Cleopatra were forced to escape back to Egypt, where they committed suicide.
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| Above, from left to right: Octavian, Lepidus, and Antony, who formed the Second Triumvirate. |