Lepidus and the logistical skill the triumvirate lost

Marcus Aemilius Lepidus's career shows that battlefield reputation can obscure the administrative work on which campaigns depend. Lepidus had organised Julius Caesar's logistics and was trusted as a capable, methodical bureaucrat even though he was neither the strongest politician nor the most celebrated field commander. Antony was much weaker at logistics and infrastructure, while Octavian retained Lepidus until other officials could replace that expertise. The triumvirate functioned better when its members remained in contact, but distance, rival courts, and control of the legions steadily destroyed cooperation. The campaign at Actium followed this loss and redistribution of logistical expertise among Roman leaders.