THE SECOND TRIUMVIRATE

GENERALIZATION:  The story of the Second Triumvirate has the makings of a great drama: suspense, adventure, and romance.  But it also has something of a "game show" quality.  

   I.  Contenders for power
       A.  Antony
       B.  Cleopatra
       C.  Conspirators (e.g., Cassius, Brutus)
       D.  Sextus Pompey
       E.  Lepidus
       F.  Cicero
       G. Gaius Octavius
 
 II.  Rules of the game

III.  Bases of power
       A. Mob
       B. Provinces
       C. Armies in Italy
       D. Armies in allied states
 
 IV.  Aftermath of Caesar's assassination
        A.  Initial agreement (mediated by Cicero)
              1. Conspirators get amnesty, provinces to rule
              2. Lepidus gets command in Spain
              3. Antony takes the lead
                   a. Consulship/proconsulship
                   b. Caesar's legislation
                   c. Caesar funeral
        B.  Renewal of civil war
 
  V.  Formation of the triumvirate (Antony, Octavian, Lepidus)
        A.  Problem one: money
        B.  Problem two: how to get along
        C.  The conspirators get beat: battle of Philippi (42 B.C.)

VI.  Near collapse and renewal of triumvirate

VII.  Final collapse of the triumvirate
        A. Lepidus drops out of the game
        B. Antony blows his lead
            1. Cleopatra lets one get away
            2. Parthian fiasco
            3. Cleopatra nets her fish
            4. Battle of Actium
 
 IX.  The grand prize winner . . . . .