Lex Titia
Encyclopedia
The Lex Titia was a Roman law
passed on November 27, 43 BC, that legalized the Second Triumvirate
of Octavian
, Mark Antony
, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus
. The Lex Titia gave this "three-man commission for restoring the constitution of the republic" (triumviri rei publicae constituendae) the power to make or annul laws without approval from either the Senate or the people; insulated their judicial decisions from appeal, and allowed the Triumvirs to name magistrates at will. Although the constitutional machinery of the Republic was not irrevocably dismantled by the Lex Titia, in the event it never recovered. Lepidus was sidelined early in the triumvirate, and Antony was eliminated in civil war, leaving Octavian the sole leader.
The passing of the Lex Titia marked the de facto end of the Roman Republic
, though in practice it had already been almost completely subverted by the contending parties in the civil war which was then beginning. The law, ostensibly only a temporary measure, was renewed in 38 BC
, but quarrels between Octavian and Antony after the downfall of Lepidus in 36 BC
prevented the law from being further extended, leading to the expiration of the Lex Titia in 33 BC
and the ensuing Final War of the Roman Republic
.
Roman law
Roman law is the legal system of ancient Rome, and the legal developments which occurred before the 7th century AD — when the Roman–Byzantine state adopted Greek as the language of government. The development of Roman law comprises more than a thousand years of jurisprudence — from the Twelve...
passed on November 27, 43 BC, that legalized the Second Triumvirate
Second Triumvirate
The Second Triumvirate is the name historians give to the official political alliance of Octavius , Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Mark Antony, formed on 26 November 43 BC with the enactment of the Lex Titia, the adoption of which marked the end of the Roman Republic...
of Octavian
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
, Mark Antony
Mark Antony
Marcus Antonius , known in English as Mark Antony, was a Roman politician and general. As a military commander and administrator, he was an important supporter and loyal friend of his mother's cousin Julius Caesar...
, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus
Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (triumvir)
Marcus Aemilius Lepidus , was a Roman patrician who rose to become a member of the Second Triumvirate and Pontifex Maximus. His father, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, had been involved in a rebellion against the Roman Republic.Lepidus was among Julius Caesar's greatest supporters...
. The Lex Titia gave this "three-man commission for restoring the constitution of the republic" (triumviri rei publicae constituendae) the power to make or annul laws without approval from either the Senate or the people; insulated their judicial decisions from appeal, and allowed the Triumvirs to name magistrates at will. Although the constitutional machinery of the Republic was not irrevocably dismantled by the Lex Titia, in the event it never recovered. Lepidus was sidelined early in the triumvirate, and Antony was eliminated in civil war, leaving Octavian the sole leader.
The passing of the Lex Titia marked the de facto end of the Roman Republic
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
, though in practice it had already been almost completely subverted by the contending parties in the civil war which was then beginning. The law, ostensibly only a temporary measure, was renewed in 38 BC
38 BC
Year 38 BC was either a common year starting on Sunday or Monday or a leap year starting on Saturday, Sunday or Monday of the Julian calendar and a common year starting on Sunday of the Proleptic Julian calendar...
, but quarrels between Octavian and Antony after the downfall of Lepidus in 36 BC
36 BC
Year 36 BC was either a common year starting on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar and a common year starting on Wednesday of the Proleptic Julian calendar...
prevented the law from being further extended, leading to the expiration of the Lex Titia in 33 BC
33 BC
Year 33 BC was either a common year starting on Saturday, Sunday or Monday or a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar and a leap year starting on Saturday of the Proleptic Julian calendar...
and the ensuing Final War of the Roman Republic
Final war of the Roman Republic
The final war of the Roman Republic, also known as Antony's civil war or the war between Antony and Octavian, was the last of the Roman civil wars of the republic, fought between Cleopatra and Octavian...
.