Lepidus

Lepidus, an illustrious Roman family of the ancient Æmilian gens. MARCUS ÆMILIUS LEPIDUS, when war broke out (49 B.C.) between Cæsar and Pompey, declared for Cæsar. During his own absence in Spain, Cæsar made Lepidus dictator of Rome and his colleague in the consulate (46 B.C.). He afterwards supported Antony, and became one of the triumvirate with Octavianus and Antony; but his weakness of character made him inferior to the other two, who assigned him Africa as his province (40–39 B.C.). Ultimately his legions deserted to Octavian, who allowed him to retain his wealth and the dignity of pontifex maximus. He died 13 B.C.