LEP'IDUS. The cognomen of an illustrious Roman family of the ...Emilia gens. The Lepidi played an important part in the history of Rome. from Marcus .Emilius Lepidus. consul in !Lc. 2S5, to Martins Lepidus. consul in A.D. 11. The chief members of the family were the following: (1) M. -sEmillt's LEPIDUS f-B.c. 132). Nyho gained renown as a youth by slaying an enemy and saving a citizen's life, was one of three ambassadors sent by Rome to Egypt in B.C. 201 to govern the realm of the infant Ptolemy the Fifth, Epiphanes; and although still a young man, Lepidus became the fling's guard ian (tutor regis). He was pontifex in 199, redile in 192, prxtor in Sicily in 191. and consul in 187, when he helped to conquer the Liguriaus; ponti fex maximus in 180, censor in 179. and consul again in 175. His death occurred in B.C. 152.— (2) M. ..Emiurs LENTIL'S, the triumvir ( 13). On the outbreak of civil war between Caesar and Pompey, Lepidus took active sides with the former, and was left in general control of affairs in Rome during Caesar's absence in.c. 49-48). He then was sent to Spain as proconsul, and enjoyed a triumph on return in 47. tzesar. a, dictator, made him his magisfer equitum in this year, and again in 45 and 44. and he became consul with Ca•sar in 46. In the fatal year 44 Caesar made him Governor of Gallia Narhonensis; but before he had completed his preparations to leave Rome the great Dictator was assassinated. Lepidus. however, could at once rely on the army which he had been drill ing. and with its help he was of great assist ance to Antonius in his opposition to the aristo cratic faction. He was made pontifex maximus, and soon left with his army for his province. Here his military strength led both parties in Rome to struggle for his oupport by heaping honors upon him: but though he dallied with both, his real sentiments were with Antonius, who roan joined him in Gaul and formed a sort of coalition. Octavius in Rome also put himself
in correspondence with them. and the Senate was left without a powerful friend. In the confer ence that took place at Bouonia (Bologna) in October, B.C. 43, the second triumvirate was formed. Antonius and Octavius set out for the East, while Lepidus remained in Italy. From now on he played only a subordinate part in the great affairs of the Republic, and was even de prived of his province by his colleagues. He was consul. however, in B.C. 42, and Governor in Africa from 40 to 36. In 37 the triumvirate was renewed, with Lepidus still as a member, though little consulted in the questions of the day. This proved too galling for even Lepidus, and he made an attempt to gain control of Sicily with his army. Though Lepidus was at first suc cessful, Octavius was soon able to alienate his troops, and the former was literally brought to his knees before the young conqueror (B.c. 36). He was dropped from the triumvirate. deprived of his army. and compelled to live in retirement.
L'EPINE, 15.'pen'. ERNEST Loris VICTOR JULES (1826-93). A French author, born in Paris. He studied painting and music; entered the Government service, and became secretary to the Duke de .1Iorny. He was referendary in the Court of Accounts from 1865 until he died. He wrote for the Constitutionnel and the Vie Pari sienne, among various journals. He collaborated with Alphonse Daudet in La derniere idols 11862): L'o'illet blunt" (1S65); and Le frere nine (1867). Besides these plays. which were the most successful of his writings, his books in clude: La legende de Croque-mitaine (1913) ; La prineesse ebb.issante (1569) : Double face (1s9o); and Cu an do refine (1•-;91).