Lepidus Loses Legions
During Sextus Pompey's Sicilian revolt, Lepidus raised an army of 14 legions to help subdue it. Lepidus had managed to avoid the quarrelling of the other Triumvirs but he made a political error in 36 BC that led to an accusation by Octavian that he had attempted to usurp power in Sicily and attempted rebellion. He was forced into exile in Circeii, in central Italy. He was stripped from all positions of authority except for the office of Pontifex Maximus. He died peacefully in obscurity in 13 BC or 12 BC.
Suetonius writes:
Suetonius writes:
"Lepidus the third member of the triumvirate, whom Augustus had summoned from Africa to his support, though himself so important as the commander of twenty legions that, when Sextus Pompey had been beaten, he demanded the highest place in the government with terrible threats. Augustus deprived him of his legions and, though successfully pleading for his life, Lepidus spent what left of it in permanent exile at Circeii."