Second Triumvirate

The Second Triumvirate was an alliance between Octavian, Mark Antony and Lepidus. It was formed to punish the conspirators who assassinated Julius Caesar.

Mark Antony (left) and Octavian (right) on 41 BC Roman gold 'aureus' issued to honor the Second Triumvirate

Lepidus (left) and Octavian (right) on silver 'denarii'. Both coins are inscribed "III VIR R P C", abbreviating "tresviri rei publicae constituendae" (Three Men for the Republic)

The Triumvirate lasted from 43 BC to 33 BC. It ended the effort by Marcus Tullius Cicero to make the Senate once again the top body of the Republic. From then on Rome was ruled by an Emperor.

The Triumvirate army, led by Octavian and Mark Antony, defeated the Conspirators' army led by Cassius and Brutus. The war ended with the Battle of Philippi in Roman Macedonia in 42 BC. Cassius and Brutus committed suicide and the remainder of their army joined the Triumvirate forces.