Dividing Rome in Three

Fantastic scene

[@iratepirate3896]

I find the idea of Antony slicing apart an invaluable ancient map to be fantastic.

[@TimThomason]

+IratePirate To be fair to Antony, I don't think that map was invaluable or ancient in his time.

[@iratepirate3896]

I don't think there were that many floor-sized maps in the world. The Peutinger Table was hardly a common poster.

[@Hugh_Morris]

He did what he wanted in real life too

[@sujaysannyamath655]

That map couldn't possibly have existed to begin with. Note how accurately UK is depicted? Roman's at the time barely believed that it even existed, Caesar had used it as a great propaganda tool. There is no way for such robust, bird's eye view map to exist in the world of antiquity.
It's mostly a Hollywood trope. Bird's eye view maps weren't popular until the end medieval era.

[@histguy101]

I find it more fantastic that he was able to travel a thousand years into the future to fetch that map in the first place.

[@slothfromthegoonies8201]

North Africa was actually an extremely lucrative territory, the second most valuable part of the Empire, behind Egypt. For some reason it failed to mention that he was also given Spain. Lepidus actually got a pretty sweet deal.

[@Evocati2008]

Except he fell right into the trap. He was actually in position to illicit a lot of power, but once relegated to the least prestigious region (and giving up his best & most loyal legions), he came a defacto anecdote. In ceding the hunt for Caesar's killers to Antony & Augustus, he took away any chance at further acquiring loyalty from the troops, or credit with the public at large. That led to his eventual exile at the hands of Augustus.

[@slothfromthegoonies8201]

Evocati2008 The mistake of Antony and Lepidus was to underestimate the benefits of controlling Italy. On paper Lepidus had a highly urbanised province which was loyal, wealthy and very easy to administer.
Augustus was clever, he managed to win over the Senate and the loyalty of the Western legions. Lepidus did come out worse, but it wouldn't have been apparent at the time. On paper, his army was more than a match for Octavian's, what he lacked was their loyalty, which is why they turned against him in favour of Octavian.
Antony giving Lepudus control of North Africa wouldn't have been a semi-comedic afterthought like this portrays it to be. With hindsight it may seem that way.

[@slothfromthegoonies8201]

andrew T True, Octavian was essentially the son of a God, which made him very influential. Lepidus had very little influence over the legions. We see this when he trys to rally the forces on Sicily against Octavian, after which they immediately defect to Octavian.

[@blazdevl]

Sloth from The Goonies Although Lepidius is an weak character, but he had the fortune to died peacefully in late 13 BC or early 12 BC.quite luxury for a roman both poor and rich.

[@blazdevl]

andrew T well mark anthony not only died, he forever tint his reputation.

[@JustinCage56]

2:12 A Diocletian reference! Divided up the Empire in 4 and retired to become a cabbage farmer.

[@pete531]

Lmao, so funny

[@generalcaesar3477]

A successor Rome show set during the Tetarchy would be amazing. Please HBO

[@matthewzakrzewski1797]

That monster diocletian...

[@williamfrank962]

@@generalcaesar3477call it Nova Roma or something. Start with aurliean and end it with the founding of Constantinople.

[@rodneybarton-hall3867]

@@matthewzakrzewski1797 Poor old Diocletian! He got rather a bad press from Eusebius, unlike the good Christian emperor Constantine, who put to death his own son and probably personally strangled his wife in the bath.

[@DiabolicalAngel]

I cannot get over the actor playing adult Octavian, he barely blinks and there is such calculating coldness in his eyes. Fantastic actor- and notice how any sense of humanity he had as a boy is no more.

[@Maceta444]

DiabolicalAngel His facial features also resemble Augustus bust/statue something that personally I really appreciate.

[@coll912]

I wish they kept the actor from season 1 though, he was setup to be a phenomenal Octavian too. But I like both performances very much.

[@JayzsMr]

Which is a loss, I wish they would have kept the old actor. Smart and calculating with a ruthless streak, But still human. Way more realistic

[@MensHominis]

@@JayzsMr -- I don't know, this Zuckerberg type actually looks capable of the calm political manoeuvring necessary for a career like that of Octavius. But wasn't the new actor merely cast because the first one was too young to represent the gap between Caesar's death and his rise to power?

[@JayzsMr]

@@MensHominis Zuckerberg does never have the social skill to be a political leader, he is an odd nerd who got lucky with a piece of code. This is exactly what I mean.
Real Octavian was very politically gifted, a Zuckerberg type isn't.

[@andrewworley4401]

"Rome is a very complex machine one can't simple chop it up like like cabbage."
"Sshh."
:)

[@Infernal460]

@LegoGuy87 I understood that reference..

[@jackj9816]

Funny how he basically foreshadowed the fall of Rome

[@jackj9816]

L Lawliet it made the east last that long but not the Wes

[@BackwardAssassin]

@@shinrapresident7010 British empire is referring to the east west split in the roman empire that happened centuries after this scene in the show. While Rome and the west eventually fell to barbarians (among other reasons), the east kept going. The eastern half kept going strong for a really long time, well into the middle ages, although they became culturally more Greek than Roman. But their power and geographic influence waned until they occupied basically just Turkey. And then they were conquered by the Ottomans in the 1450’s.

[@BackwardAssassin]

@@shinrapresident7010 I’ll admit my Byzantine history is a bit rusty. It’s been a few years since I last studied this stuff. But I do remember learning that the Byzantines definitely thought of *themselves* as Romans, despite the cultural differences they developed, and they viewed their empire as a continuation of the previous one.
So provided that I’m not misremembering that, your analogy doesn’t quiet work. America fought for its independence, whereas (if I’m remembering this right) the Roman Empire split in half to make administration easier. There’s a big difference there in terms of cultural identity. America fought specifically to be different and independent from the British. Whereas the eastern Roman Empire started off as basically the same people in a different place.
Look, British Empire’s comment was clumsily worded sure. But it can still be viewed as *technically* accurate from a certain point of view. That’s all I’m saying.

[@xenosmoke8915]

Rome is one of those shows where all the actors in it happen to be playing the best characters they’ve ever played.
Purefoy as Antony was no exception. Absolute gold.

[@Haldinyar]

Same for Cilian Hinds. He sucked in anything else.

[@edvingrabar5229]

@@Haldinyar Hinds was very good as Sir John Franklin in AMC's The Terror

[@juangallego7197]

And no other would have been as brilliant as Mark Antony as him.

[@Haldinyar]

@@edvingrabar5229 I thought the show was bad, didn’t keep going with it.

[@masterexploder9668]

It's a war crime how we were robbed of Purefoy's funeral speech. Shame on House of HBO.

[@highdefinitionapollo2189]

3:19 “Oh, right, you exist.”

[@GrandMoffTarkinsTeaDispenser]

Well he was actually kinda important this video isn't very fair. If he was a nobody they wouldn't need to officially concede Africa to Lepidus.

[@HierophanticRose]

@@GrandMoffTarkinsTeaDispenser true. Africa was a richer province than Italy at the time

[@GrandMoffTarkinsTeaDispenser]

Very rich yes.

[@HierophanticRose]

@LegoGuy87 Yes and no. While Egypt was the acutal breadbasket of Rome, and the Roman Province of Africa did not include Egypt. Africa itself was rich due to many high quality products it had, like Ivory, rare dyes, pearls, iron, as well hosting some of the biggest cities of Carthage, Leptis Magna, and Trippolitania

[@gmatsue84]

@@HierophanticRose Yeah, sure. They gave a very important and rich province to a guy they were trying to get rid of..

[@Zamolxes77]

"... and I ? What would I get ? "
Octavian looks at Anthony. Anthony stares back. Octavian's eyes squint. A slight smile develops on Anthony's lips.
"Africa"
best scene ever.

[@Infernal460]

Lepidus does better than Antony long term.

[@renegadusunidos6151]

@@Infernal460 yes he did. he was able to retire peacefully with no assassination attempts on his life. he's made no enemies with the ruling class. He was strictly professional by nature. but in this series he is shown to be a dumb general of some sort. hehe

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

Not that bad really money wise Africa (Modern Day Magreb) is Rich so he technically is richer than Octavian but Politically its very obvious he isn't respected by both of his partners nor really see him as that much of a threat (probably because he was)
Also being neutral when things really went south was a good thing for Lepidus anyways.

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

@@renegadusunidos6151 not that inaccurate as he would likely not want to piss off either Anthony or Octavian as he would likely lose his life, so acting passive and not as an ambicious Politician makes sense because if he spoke out the 2 would consider him a threat.
Basically he was just acting incompetent because he doesn't really have as much political power and fame as the other 2.

[@rymdalkis]

Lepidus wasn't ingenious enough to stay on par with Anthony and Octavian, but he was clever enough to be constantly aware that he was being outplayed. Must've been infuriating

[@GrandMoffTarkinsTeaDispenser]

Hello rymdalkis, this isn't historically accurate at all, the show turns Lepidus into an almost nobody for comedic effect and most importantly to not make things very complex since they only had 2 seasons to work with (a shame really). But Lepidus wasn't a pushover and would later rebel vs Octavian.

[@Minifutzi_o.O]

It's just sad that he didn't seem to have other heirs, his only son was executed.

[@cautarepvp2079]

@Scott Laux hmm didnt he got his son executed? And also when octavian and antony were fighting what was lepidus doing?

[@Infernal460]

Actually Lepidus played the cards he was dealt well.

[@joaofarinha551]

The reality of this deal is that Octavian got the worse of them all as he was the junior partner. Take into consideration Lepidus had governed Rome in Ceaser's absence replacing Marc Antony due to his incompetence. Lepidus was no fool :)

[@TangFiend1]

Playing the Lepidus campaign in Rome II right now, so much food. Fooood!

[@kubikkuratko188]

Octavian gonna send you his legions to feed them.

[@nodinitiative]

In the end, Lepidus won because he got to live quite nicely with a small farmland of his own and died of old age.
And lived almost a stress free life after he was screwed over by Octavian.

[@MegaLilli123]

Yeah but octavian became emperor and he had a pretty long life too. Its a shame what happened to his family because of his heirs(livia,tiberius and nero were pretty much the reason, why his bloodline died out)

[@lukejones7164]

@@MegaLilli123 don't forget Caligula too.

[@charlesferdinand422]

Yeah he got to live a very nice anonymous life being remembered even to this day as a miserable failure and after having his only son executed; hey but he got a small farmland in return, things were looking up to him in the end I guess.

[@RJLbwb]

@@pbradics3670 I Claudius is good, but one really needs to read up on the history to understand the point of view of the story. Like someone else mentioned Augustus is depicted as an affable clueless is buffoon, which is how Augustus liked people to think of him and it's not unreasonable to think Claudius thought of him.

[@moesnnargul1717]

@Abu Troll al cockroachistan nothing is empty even in death

[@MJSpiritual]

Nothing like showing up hung over at a meeting that will effectively change the fate of the known world. Antony wins again.

[@TheWimmse]

MJSpiritual that drunk man just gave away mama africa....like it is his to give away!

[@seyfersnake]

MJSpiritual Actually Antony lost, he chose money over the political centre, he played right into Octavian hands, who got the chance to build up his political influence, while undermining Antony. Lepidus just got the worst of the deal.

[@HansenDing]

+TheWimmse To be fair Africa at this time to the Romans meant not even half of the present day countries of Libya, Tunisia, Algeria & Morocco. Just like Asia to them meant only about half of West Asia. Quite a small sliver.

[@twiliblade]

+Hansen Ding africa was rich province back then as it was fertile land, also lepidus got spain which is also another wealthy province

[@seyfersnake]

twiliblade Yup, but it was only a few years until Lepidus tried to make a grab for Rome, and got outsmarted by Octavian. Suddenly the Triumvirate was a two member government.

[@bio2020]

Notice how intelligent Octavian is. He sets Antony up with this trap right from the start. He hears that Antony is hungover and can barely think straight, so he smiles while looking at the map and knows this is the moment to bring it up. He brings up the idea of splitting the empire into three parts, but tells Antony that he "hadn't considered how" to split it up yet. This is clearly a lie. We all know Octavian thought of how to split it up, every single thing he does is calculated and planned ahead of time. He knew Antony would pick the money, (Egypt, etc) and leave Rome to Octavian. This is exactly what Octavian wants. Octavian wants to live in Rome and be seen as the rightful Emperor, while Antony is off in a far away land governing other people. However, Octavian wants it to be Antony's idea. If Octavian demands Rome and the West, it will give Antony pause and he will want it too and he will figure it out. But, if Antony is left up to his own devices... Antony's simple minded greed will make him pick Egypt, where all the tax revenue and grain control is. Furthermore, Octavian even offers a false protest, bringing up all the negatives of having to "settle" for Rome.... Octavian mentions a fractured senate (politics), keeping the mob happy (administrative duties), basically all of the "boring" stuff that Antony absolutely hates to do...... they are falling into his trap. And Antony is so simple minded and distracted, he really thinks Octavian would believe his promise to not steal? After he already accepted secret bribes and angered Octavian? Antony should have been suspicious of Octavian being so trusting so quickly... Once Octavian is able to consolidate his political power in the heart of Rome....... the other two are toast.

[@trueromancat7978]

+bio2020 This scene is a great depiction of Octavian's cleverness , but not exactly historically correct. In fact Octavian got only a piece of African provinces -the size of today's Tunisia. Rome and Italy was a common burden, Lepidus got a vast part of Spain, Portugal and today's French Provence. Antony got East, West and Egypt: Turkey, Greece, Lybia, Liban, Syria, Galilea and Gallia on the West- today's France, part of Germany and Belgium. Egypt , it was a grain supply , and East in general meant money. Without money and east Rome was weak, because the major problem was to supply the food for Romans. So why Octavian was doing everything to defeat Antony and conquer Egypt. He even resigned to declare war to Parthian Empire in order to acquire the new land, despite Caesar was preparing a campaign years earlier. At the time of triumvirate Antony was still the strongest partner, and was backed u by the major armed forces. As a matter of fact the only thing Octavian had, was his ambition.

[@slothfromthegoonies8201]

bio2020 True to reality. Octavian was a cold, calculated pragmatist.

[@-koperkat8415]

Sloth from The Goonies Just comes to show that a good person =/= a good statesman.

[@trueromancat7978]

Sloth from The Goonies
Considering the ancient historians, Octavian was a model psychopath. Following Suetonius's account, we have a portrait of cold manipulator mixed with pedophile mixed with serial killer;)

[@slothfromthegoonies8201]

Isabella H He was the original evil genius :L

[@quadeong7453]

I love how when Anthony is cutting up the map, he seems to actually forget Lepidus is there. He's like. “Oh ya, he's here.”

[@byronjosephhallar8476]

Those maps were painstakingly made by hand.

[@stiofanloingsigh351]

And hungover Marcus Antony doesnt give a fuck.

[@devilpupbear09]

The mapmakers were greatly compensated and have the gratitude of Rome.

[@ryankwon8785]

I think they have more than one map and make more for more for both old and new leaders. Plus, maps are updated with new maps over time.

[@johnjuanmoon]

I always felt Lepidus got a raw deal, both historically and here in the show. Originally Spain and newly conquered Gaul were his by legal title. That was taken upon joining the Triumvirate (his buy-in to join the table basically), and he was made to rule Africa, but actually did a very good job there. His troops were the first to land and do battle with Pompey's forces on the island of Sicily (and won), but even that was taken when Caesar basically bought out the loyalty and purses of Lepidus' legions on Sicily. He wanted Sicily but wasn't given it. He wanted his old lands in Spain and Gaul (his by right), but weren't given it.
Then Lepidus was exiled shortly after to a small town on the Italian peninsula (Cicerii), only occasionally going back to Rome to attend Senate sessions. He's one of the few to stand up to Octavian, lose his leverage, and still kept his life and his personal farm, where he lived out the rest of his days quietly - I say that is a small victory in itself.
I would say his problem was that he was a General first and foremost, not a skilled fighter like Antony. Lepidus wasn't a natural orator or politician either, nor was he wise enough to chart all the possible scenarios of his actions like Octavian did. Lepidus observed the scenario at hand, then gave orders accordingly. That is far removed from Roman political intrigues. He was an able commander and administrator, just not the right one for a city like Rome, where half the task was figuring out who to bribe or kill and how to deal with how their families and friends react.

[@alexanderchenf1]

Then basically the guy is Stannis Baratheon

[@johnjuanmoon]

Chen Alex
Yes, in terms of personality. Stannis was actually a very strong fighter though, as seen in the Battle of the Blackwater and on his failed siege of Winterfell.

[@alexanderchenf1]

johnjuanmoon in the show yes. in the book not the case.

[@007dalal]

Stannis was different. He had stronger presonality

[@octaviancaesarhibernicus4447]

for a blue blooded Roman retirement to a small farm in southern Italy is not a small victory,its fuckin no better than exile!

[@arieldebarros]

"You tell your eminent friends to SHUT their mouths."
What a badass.

[@Infernal460]

And stupid. All those senators will be looking for some to take down Antony.
"Hello Gaius Octavian Ceaser... May we have a word with you"...

[@glumphyStoned]

@@Infernal460 It's hard to be badass and a strategic genius at the same time, only a few can do it.

[@Infernal460]

@@glumphyStoned
Tywin Lannister.
Robert Baratheon
= )

[@glumphyStoned]

@@Infernal460 sure but these are fiction

[@Infernal460]

@@glumphyStoned
OK then, Generals who dont listen to their subordanates fail miserably.
Mark Anthony last battle (Alerxandria) show you what chrisma and no brains gets you.
Not heard of it? Everybody deserted him.

[@tomservo5347]

I like Octavian's little smirk as he looks at the map and sets his scheming in motion knowing he's the intellectual master of a hungover Antony. "You shall have to speak quietly or I shall shatter into a thousand little pieces."

[@edinscot56789]

Lepidus was Julius Caesar's second-in-command when he was murdered. Octavian and Antony kept him around because he was very experienced and a high ranking commander. Technically he way outranked both Antony (who was sidelined when Caesar was killed) and Octavian who was not even in the military.

[@Minifutzi_o.O]

The thing is, it seems he was rather a technocrat. No personal ambitions "just" bringing peace back to Rome. And his biggest problems was that his soldiers defected all to Octavian, which means they didn't stick to him like the legions of Julius Caesar did.

[@jurtra9090]

You mistaken Lepidus for Labienus

[@b3ygghsas]

@@jurtra9090 Actually Lepidus was one of caesar lieutnants, right after his assassination lepidus stationed an entire legion just outside rome waiting for someone to make something stupid and come in, watch historia civilis video about caesar's funeral

[@ajax1475]

@@b3ygghsas he was but he wasnt second in command that was Labienus and after that Anthony when Labienus went to join the Senate forces

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

@@b3ygghsas yup people underestimate Lepidus way too much

[@Imtheshotcaller]

Lepidus is so smooth he just became the ruler of Africa without even trying. Diamonds, Gold, Ivory, Slaves. The man is a master negotiator there’s no denying it.

[@fabianhale845]

The province of Africa aka modern Tunisia. The continent wasn’t known as Africa back then.

[@halflifeger4179]

@@fabianhale845 Still of course a super rich, urbanized and peaceful province

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

Less negotiation and more being a Politician in general, Lepidus IRL finds himself in a poorer position politically speaking compared to the Other Triumvers so it makes sense he sits back and just watches what he gets and mostly just advises because if he spoke up its likely he just disappears, still its hilarious how he is basically treated like an After thought in the scene by his companions like Anthony was saying to himself "oh I forgot to give something to Lepidus"

[@WhenDoesTheVideoActuallyStart]

@@forickgrimaldus8301 Octavian was the junior partner in the second triumvirate. Lepidus was actually Caesar's second in command when Caesar was assassinated, he just lacked the mindset required for politics so he slowly lost everything. E.g. he was supposed to receive Spain but Octavian just... didn't hand it over, and Lepidus didn't think to do anything about it. After he lost his legions Octavian didn't even consider him a threat.

[@Hunter1825]

Were there already established gold and diamond mines ? Did they know about these resource deposits at the time ?

[@seed157]

"And I ? What do I get?"
"Shinebox"

[@michaeldiekmann6494]

For 20 fucking years

[@willthisdoreviews3376]

Lepidus never had the makings of a varsity negotiator.

[@dogukanbayram4589]

I know this is a Sopranos reference, but I never understood what it means. A shinebox?

[@seed157]

@@dogukanbayram4589 traditionally Pompeii always said the Julia were a glorified House. I say we stab Caesar and do business with whoever is left Borko

[@casper2694]

​@@michaeldiekmann6494mf says I look like the Pharaoh Of Egypt

[@blaze4metal]

I love how Marc Antony's hangover disappears when he realizes he gets to decide what part of the Roman Empire is his.

[@randomuser6175]

that look on Octavian's face on 02:00
He is like "he is taking the bait" Amazing

[@KnightofDuroch]

"Rowdy Gauls. Germans (no modifier needed)"

[@Infernal460]

No lies spoken.

[@htf5555]

haha. *germans..* . he says it with such contempt

[@kelvyquayo]

😂😂😂

[@badjokemaker3051]

So funny they are clearly rivals but they both can have some inner laughing together when it's about Lepidus.

[@Infernal460]

He who laughs most laughs last.

[@tekus89]

Which he lost a few years later to Ocatavian.Pretty shitty deal.

[@sealstorm1935]

Antony: "Africa..."
Me: "The Fallen Kingdom of Carthage, Rome's once great enemy."

[@Infernal460]

More importantly ideally placed to support Sextus Pompey with anonymity against Octavian. Who is still alive at this point.

[@user-ul6ew7hc7g]

*republic

[@Cerberus571]

It’s not a kingdom it’s a republic

[@Drewski-hw1yi]

Carthago delanda est.

[@sealstorm1935]

Republic of Carthage, thank you

[@MrGforce52]

Lepidus: "And what would I get?"
Antony: "Second best province."

[@RockSmithStudio]

"Clearly, we three cannot all rule together at once. We shall only confuse and contradict each"
"True Enough"
Anthony never fails to make me laugh

[@CameronAB122]

This may be a coincidence or a stretch, but I feel like “Dividing Rome like cabbages” is a reference to the audience what will happen to Rome in a few hundred years under Emperor Diocletian. He had Rome divided into four regions ruled by two senior emperors (Augusti) and two junior emperors (Caesari) Diocletian abdicated the throne and became a cabbage farmer :)

[@JustinCage56]

"That's awkward."
-Lepidus 43 BC

[@brunolapointe66]

Lepidus still believed in the Senate and had much respect for Rome and its institutional structures. Antony had nothing but disdain about it because he was such a greedy and vainglorious (still, badass) bastard. Octavian had a very calculated agenda that managed to play both of them with their personal inclinations and get Rome for himself while the two of them(well, Antony mostly) deceided to take that deal for their own benefit.
Genius little fellow, that one.

[@iliasfilip2110]

Anyone else feeling a sudden urge to play Lepidus in Rome 2 and get revenge on the other two?

[@thickac7579]

Lepidus was not a fool as the show portrayed. In truth, he was considered a senior in this arrangement. He got Spain also, which shows that Octavian was actually the least important of the three, at least that is what it appeared like to others (The show runners were not given enough time, so they had to wrap up the show real quick. That is why we get this already developed Octavian. The original plan was for the actor from season 1 to grow up as Octavian does).

[@billywarren007]

I like how Lepidus is pretty much the Nick Clegg of the ancient world XD

[@lennydale92]

I bet Lepidis in the senate had the same miserable look as Nick Clegg xD

[@billywarren007]

Daniel not really, more like Mark Antony with his behaviour and posturing

[@billywarren007]

Daniel not really, he hasn't even started his term yet, plus he needs to win a second term before people can claim he has beaten all

[@billywarren007]

Daniel please don't as an Englishman both of your choices were shit, you simply missed one turd only to step into another, and he hasn't done more than Obama as he hasn't even taken office yet, so we all have to wait and see

[@lennydale92]

Which one is the Caesar? Which one will cause the ultimate downfall of the Republic?

[@segasailor4374]

Mark Antony's brother got Cyprus, Sextus Pompey got Hispania. The Triumvirate got the three most important regions. Remember Africa the province was Utica, Thapsus and remnant Carthage it was strategically the storehouse of Rome, most grain was stored in Carthage and from there distributed.
Mark Antony's brother joined Octavian. Remember family feuds, marriage and politics walk hand in hand back in those days. Mark Antony wanted Egypt primarily because of the Roman expansion eastward into Parthia and onwards to Baktria and the Indus. The silk road and spice trails. More loot, booty and glory. Soldiers wanted to go where the action was, as action was where the opportunity lay. Most soldiers profited from war and a chance to make a business for themselves.
Think pies and slices and that is basic economics.

[@Petey0707]

Don't tell that to all the proto-fascists and neo-nazis, in their minds, only white people can be wealthy.

[@Laz4r96]

@@Petey0707 Muh nazis
you're a parody

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

Still Lepidus in the scene obviously has the least amount of respect even if Africa (Modern day Magreb region) was a very wealth Province even IRL despite being a Triumver he is basically seen as not as Popular to the Ceasarians, still he for the possition he finds himself in he managed to survive with his position mostly intact until he dies.

[@Hunter1825]

Was the silk road established at this point ?

[@laistvan2]

East had the money but West produced the soldiers(mostly)....

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

“Then none was for a party;
Then all were for the state;
Then the great man helped the poor,
And the poor man loved the great:
Then lands were fairly portioned;
Then spoils were fairly sold:
The Romans were like brothers
In the brave days of old.”
― Thomas Babington Macaulay

[@DrForrester87]

I love when the word "tyranny" first drops, the look on Octavian's face.

[@harpiyon]

The Roman version of playing "Risk"

[@brucetucker4847]

I love the nervous look of the guard when Antony takes his sword.

[@Pelerin985]

I wonder if Octavian scheduled this meeting after Posca's wedding precisely because he knew that Mark-Anthony would join it, drink the hell out of himself and evidently, wouldn't be at his mental best to see the trap Octavian gave him.

[@razorsharpview9090]

africa was actually a rich colony of rome.

[@konradstolzerfaust928]

They wuz kangz?

[@nate742]

As a matter of fact, yes. Carthage was there.

[@AdSd100]

As a matter of fact no it wasn't. Don't just repeat what you have heard in history channel. Carthage was leveled after 146 BC siege and it was only established as a roman colony by Caesar. By this time it was a pretty insignificant town.

[@sammycw2000]

Also Carthage was a republic.

[@GardEngebretsen]

Carthage was destroyed 100 years before the events in Rome. All that was there was salted earth and ruined cities.

[@abdullahseckin]

lepidus: Rome is a very complex machine one can't simple chop it up like like cabbage.
antony: *literally chops it up*

[@duplicitouscanadian3073]

I love how the other two are sitting, slouched back, lax and unaware, while Octavian is upright, tall and regal.

[@kelvyquayo]

His delivery of “Germans..” always makes me laugh 😊

[@el_chico1313]

back then they were not what they are today xD

[@Chrisiamtheluciddream]

"Who are these worriers? Give me names..."

[@warprimeminister]

Antony was about that work …😂😂
“Give me names…”

[@v8Buster87]

God damn this was one of the most under rated, unappreciated, but well done, and bad ass shows ever. If they had 3+ seasons of this show tho........ really chaps my ass sometimes when I think about it. The acting was top notch, the writing was great, the world looked and felt real, and the story was dramatized history.... and for my personal tastes that is one of the best recipes for a show. And this show can at least be recognized for making GOT possible. I loooove GOT and call it the best show ever made, but so is this one.

[@tiffsaver]

This was the best Mark Antony I've ever seen, ditto Octavian. Sensational actors, both.

[@rubberducky4074]

Antony: *Pulls out sword*
Octavian: *Ides of March flashbacks*

[@ajax1475]

I mean the little shit wasnt even in Italy that the time

[@therealpianofairy]

Lepidus: You can't chop it (Rome) up like cabbage
~~ 300 years later ~~
Diocletian, after chopping Rome up into the Tetrachy: By the gods my wondorous cabbages!

[@maxhalsted5381]

Not everyone would get that

[@therealpianofairy]

@@maxhalsted5381 id hope not

[@maxhalsted5381]

@@therealpianofairy I took Clasoc History at university and paid attention unlike most. How tie Ramn Republic and Empire fell always interested me

[@brohan914]

"Africa."
"Nigga u serious?"

[@LannisterFromDaRock]

Africa was great because of the grain. However, the best spot was Rome because that was the capital. It was very tricky to rule and govern and actually depended on the east and Africa but it was the center of the known universe at that time. Antony was lazy (and not a great governor) while Lepidus had no high ambitions (he was already at the peak of his power as Pontifex Maximus).

[@brohan914]

Lannister
I was under the impression that most of Rome's grain came from Egypt. That, and access to the eastern trade routes made the East the wealthiest of the Roman provinces. Plus I don't think Rome actually controlled much of Africa during the Republic, just the bit around Carthage.

[@tehanureaver4299]

But wasnt Egypt considered to be a part of Africa under this agreement ?
I know that Antonius ended up there, but it is strange.

[@tmaz85]

You need to look back at it for the time. Africa wasn't the same Africa that we know of today. At that time it was just called a province. The continent of Africa as we know now is very different.

[@GorinRedspear]

the border between the province of Africa and the Asian provinces was about where the modern border of Egypt is now. they didn't really sort by geography (as they didn't have an aerial view) but by conquest. Egypt came in the same package as Palestine and Lebanon, so it was part of Asia. the fact that it was a Successor Kingdom also helped to sort it with the remains of the Seleucid kingdom

[@charliemclegend4885]

"Rome cannot be chopped up like cabbage"
> literally proceeds to chop up Rome exactly like cabbage

[@hitrapperandartistdababy]

“Or I shall shatter into a thousand little pieces” While at the same time showing a map of the Repuplic followed by a small smirk from Octavian. A nice little touch too foreshadow whats about to happen

[@Shootkicksass]

They wrote Lepidus' character so well. It was clear he was going to be a non-issue from the beginning.

[@Borderose]

Antony and Lepidus were actually the senior partners in the triumvirate and Lepidus' slice of the empire wasn't bad. They simply got outmaneuvered by Octavian in the end. Because the new Caesar was a damn political genius who had a military genius for a best friend.

[@aleramone23]

Children in Africa could have eaten that map.

[@jibran4794]

😂😂

[@user-nd4md8vr8j]

Although in the show Lepidus is depicted naive or weak, when the second Triumvirate was formed he was actually the number two. He had served Caesar and was respected with legions under his command. Antony was the senior partner and Octavian the last mostly due to youth and inexperience.
Later when the Triumvirate started falling apart Octavian successfully outmanoeuvred politically Lepidus and had him stripped of all his offices except the one of Rome's high priest.
Lepidus in his later years reconciled with Octavian and lived peacefully, a rare occasion considering the brutality of Rome's politics at the time.

[@ryankwon8785]

I think Lepidus was depicted as a cautious person in order to play his cards right. But I agree with your point.

[@probincruxiii1727]

I like the symbolism of Antony cutting out Lepidus' portion. He ended up with a piece of Rome but entirely disconnected from the others in the deal.

[@Thermalburn]

Lepidus retired happily. He won the game really

[@prophetherbandderp2733]

Not sure about that. It seems in 30 bc Octavianus executed his son for being a part of a plot against him. I would imagine, that his retirement was not that happy after this point. Probably some sleepless nights, how if he stayed in power his son will be still around. Also not sure how reliable is this, but the Wiki says Octavianus made Lepidus attend Senate meetings, and kept making him speak last to humiliate him. Sure things could have been much worse, but calling it happy retirement seems like a stretch.

[@ottovonbismarck1352]

Anthony: You get Africa.
Lepidus: Egypt is in Africa.
Anthony: No I cut Africa out of this map.

[@inoovator3756]

At the time Egypt and Africa were separate provinces, Africa was not known to be the name of the whole continent

[@ottovonbismarck1352]

@@inoovator3756 true.

[@platinumfalcon798]

2:50 Octavian says 'Germans' with such distain 😂

[@TheReaperMan275]

Lepidus is thinking "Oh, great! I get stuck with Africa!"

[@rin_etoware_2989]

Yay! The second-richest part of the land! Be happy, Lepidus!

[@rajounyassine863]

Easy to managed and yet rich and not a big territory , just sit and watch money comes in

[@commentzky3321]

In the initial division Marc Antony held Gaul, Lepidus Hispania and Octavian Africa, while the East was controlled by Brutus and Cassius.
After Phillipi Octavian took the territories of Antony and Lepidus. Antony in turn took the east and Lepidus got Africa.

[@Petey0707]

If he doesn't want it I'll gladly take it.

[@George-Hawthorne]

@LegoGuy87 No today it's wealth comes from something else, OIL.

[@GoCardinal2012]

And that's how history was made.... the echos of these conversations still serve to rattle us in our sleep.

[@nocturnalrecluse1216]

1:35+ Octavian set his ass up. Notice how he looks over to Anthony with scheme in mind.

[@TGeoMin]

There could not be a different form of division. The East had a compact Hellenic civilization. Even the Jews were Hellenised and there were tensions between the proper Jews and the Hellenistic ones (Herod). Antony saw this and cleverly behaved like a Hellenistic king, something the traditional Romans could not tolerate.

[@Anglomachian]

To be fair, Africa was one of the most lucrative and stable areas of the empire. Leps also got Hispania and parts of Gaul in real life, but the little issue with Pompey's son led to his fall from power, although he was never killed.

[@dbuyandelger]

Africa, the breadbasket of Rome, Egypt the breadbasket of Constantinople. Lepidus gets a sweet deal too

[@cmbeadle2228]

Lepidus: nooo you can't just chop up Rome like cabbage noooo
Anthony: haha sword go slicey

[@edinscot56789]

I loved the look on the faces of Octavian and the guard when Antony took his sword. Like wtf?

[@Priyo866]

The only reason Lepidus didn't immediately revolt against Antony and Octavian, is because Africa (Proconsularis) was one of the richest provinces of Rome.
Granted, he was still jearlous - Africa was rich but still just one province. Lepidus received that one province, Antony and Octavian each gave themselves at least five.

[@urmo345]

But he was right about this that Rome cannot be cut up like cabbage. It ALWAYS caused a problems and civil wars.

[@liamjm9278]

He also got Spain. Two rich and easy provinces isn't a bad deal.

[@tmaz85]

Lepidus also received the territories of Spain as well.

[@user-bn6ts6lo2r]

Деловые взаимоотношения между Марком Антонием и Гаем Октавианом, как представленные в сериале, представляют собой источник невероятного веселья. Их сложная динамика, политические интриги и интенсивные переговоры создают захватывающий сюжет, который не перестает удивлять. А добавление третьего Лепида в это уравнение придает еще больше загадочности и неожиданных поворотов. Наблюдать за тем, как эти персонажи развивают свои отношения, - настоящее удовольствие для любителей захватывающих политических драм.

[@Joker-yw9hl]

It's interesting how confident Octavian is in that he's making the right decision by choosing Italy despite the very real possibility of potential grain shortages. I understand legitimacy was his objective and it all worked out but it's interesting. Was half a gamble

[@chandraguptamaurya5152]

" I haven't considered that"
Yeah right, you knew exactly what you wanted and managed to get a drink Anthony make the choice just as you wanted to make him feel like he got the better half. Then you consolidated your position and deposed him

[@Tony-Anderson]

I just imagine the map maker seeing his map cut like that and just silently saying to himself "Jupiter dammit Marc...."

[@tbeller80]

Considering how emotionless and robotic the actor here plays Octavian, you can see a little smile when Antony complains about his hangover.

[@BaHaEzZz]

exactly my thought, he thought that he already has the edge in the negociation.

[@licmir3663]

There’s still time to revive Rome and create more seasons. The actor who played Augustus was excellent. How cold he not be hired for Game of Thrones?

[@Excalibur01]

They got Cesar in GOT

[@z54964380]

I think they should bring back Rome, most of the actors are still around, RIP Ray, they can continue the saga with a mix of old and new cast members.

[@carolinelynch2823]

Posca's Party People

[@radtradpeasant]

Yesterday I had a test on Rome at university and this very scene came to my mind when talking about the Second Triumvirate

[@PaulCDehlinger]

I find it hard to believe Octavian would ever suggest something he hadn’t considered.

[@brucetucker4847]

Of course he'd considered it. He knew Antony wouldn't be able to resist the wealth of the eastern provinces. He also knew Antony would cheat on the shared revenue, but wouldn't use the money widely.

[@EzraDair]

Lepidus looks so corporate

[@IPlayWithFire135]

"And I, what would I get?"
Lepidus = third wheel

[@christoff124]

rome is a complex machine you can't chop it up like cabbage, antony proceeds to literally chop it up like cabbage with sword

[@cristienache739]

I literally craped my pants after I saw Lepidus face when he said: "And I ? What will I get? "

[@nelsoninthenorth6499]

Diocletian ripped this from Octavian's "Ruling the Empire for Dummies" Handbook.
Diocletian: I can't rule this mess by myself, even if I wanted to, I'll end up like the rest of those balding fools.
x proceeds to divide the empire through the Tetrarchy system x
Diocletian: There, that should last for a while, Octavian and the rest of them worked it out all right! :D ...

[@AndalusianPhilosopher]

Mark Anthony is so entertaining.

[@rin_etoware_2989]

That poor scribe who hand-drew that map must be crying so hard right now.
Poor scribe.

[@Amizzly]

When he says “I have the most shocking headache” for some reason I giggle.

[@xhagast]

Lepidus won. He got to die of old age and his province was rich and could feed itself. We are talking of a time when half the nobility was purged at one time or another. Just making it to old age was a miracle. And not a small one.

[@EmptyMan000]

More like at that point he was so under the radar, the dangerous types forgot about him or didn't think he was worth the trouble of removing. Basically a pawn who gets forgotten at the end of the game. Forgotten, but alive.

[@xhagast]

@@EmptyMan000 Like I said, he won.

[@ImaginaShip]

James Purefoy was absolutely superb in this series.

[@hazorg16]

The show made it out like Octavian and Marc Anthony were the senior partners and Lepidus was the junior one but in reality, Italy was a neutral zone and Octavian only got Gaul while Lepidus got Spain alongside Africa. Octavian was very obviously the junior partner among the three.

[@m33tballa]

Rome was my favorite show and they got a lot right in terms of historicity. But it always bugged me how they portrayed lepidus as incapable. He was far from it, just as prominent as Mark Antony to Caesar. Africa was one of the most important provinces and he got Spain too. He was just outmaneuvered by Octavian later on

[@Crosmando]

Makes you wonder how things would have gone if Mark Antony became the first Emperor instead of Octavian

[@CameronAB122]

Sammy I feel like it would have been like an early eastern Roman Empire minus the Christianity

[@walzybby]

my opinion, Pax Romana would have never existed

[@Marcus280898]

Antony didn't have the political acumen the Octavian had, instead of becoming a de facto monarch disguised within the framework of the Principate, as Octavian became, Anthony probably would have ruled as a much more transparent dictator; probably ending in his assassination.

[@dekuvisuals9847]

This series is so underrated

[@Ofthehunt]

Lepidus IRL got to live a full life as pontiex maximus and die of old age at 76. For the end of the roman republic, he had a good life

[@connorgolden4]

I hate the way they portray Lepidus. He seems too weak to be one of the mat powerful men in Rome. And why do they make Africa out as some insignificant province? It was populous and rich, one of the breadbasket of the empire. And he also got Hispania so he got quite a bit of land.

[@redxhand]

yeah i was surprised the way they presented it as if it was some backwater region.

[@redxhand]

@LegoGuy87 yep i think its the way they see in value.

[@SAngel-jt3si]

Which is why I love the way they portray him. it's like here take this and shut up. Not realizing they were given him a gold mine.

[@swastikausa]

i think africa in 39 bc included spain as well.

[@elmerofairo]

It could have but I don't think so. I think it's more likely that Iberia would be considered 'the west' in this context. 'Africa' would have included everything from what is now Morocco, through the old Carthaginian territories to the edge of Egypt.
Actually here's a helpful map: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roman-Empire-39BC-bg.png
Everything in purple was Octavian's responsibility, which you'll notice includes Iberia ('Hispania').

[@JackParsons.]

donnchadh mcgrath It was just the Cathaginian possessions in North Africa.

[@michaelduffy2375]

No

[@Thongger]

"I have the most shocking headache... so you will both have to speak very quietly .... or I shall shatter into a thousand little pieces :('
So. Awesome.

[@Freyia935]

That map was probably a pain in the ass to draw

[@Freyia935]

I bet, but seeing it go to waste like that rip

[@johnwilber9025]

who got mexico?

[@JackParsons.]

John Wilber No one.

[@Cybermat47]

Jonny B isn't it a northern wall for you? I mean, the USA is to the north of you.

[@pingtangcalagan0554]

vorenus

[@emptyhand777]

The Mexicans

[@hungrymikepencetd5686]

Hungry aztecs :D