A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

20. M.AemiliusLepidus, the son of the triumvir [No. 17] and Junia, formed a conspiracy in B. C. 30, for the purpose of assassinating Octavian on his return to Rome after the battle of Actium; but Maecenas, who had charge of the city, became acquainted with the plot, seized Lepidus, without creating any disturbance, and sent him to Octavian in the East, who put him to death. His father was ignorant of the conspiracy, but his mother was privy to it. [JUNIA, No. 2.] Velleius Paterculus, who never speaks favourably of any of the enemies of Octavian, describes Lepidus as "juvenis forma quam mente melior." Lepidus was married twice: his first wife was Antonia, the daughter of the triumvir [ANTONIA, No. 4], and his second Servilia, who put an end to her life by swallowing burning coals when the conspiracy of her husband was discovered. (Vell. 2.88; Appian, App. BC 4.50; D. C. 54.15; Suet. Octav. 19; Liv. Epit. 133; Senec. de Clem. 9, De Brev. Vitae, 1.9.)