Aemilius Lepidus was a Roman politician and military leader during the late Roman Republic. He was a member of the Second Triumvirate, alongside Julius Caesar's adopted heir Octavian and Mark Antony. Lepidus played a significant role in the political landscape of Rome after the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE. Initially, Lepidus held considerable power, serving as the high priest of Jupiter and commanding troops in various military campaigns. However, his influence waned over time, and he eventually became sidelined in the power struggles between Octavian and Antony, leading to his political decline and retirement from public life.