Which member of the Second Triumvirate alongside Octavian and Mark Antony later fell out of power?

• A. Provinces
• B. Lepidus
• C. Augustus
• D. Garrisons

Answer: (B)

The situation tests how political power shifts within an alliance of Rome’s top leaders. After Caesar’s death, three men joined forces to rule together and defeat their enemies: Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus. They split responsibilities so each controlled different fronts—Antony in the East, Octavian in the West, and Lepidus in Africa. Over time, Octavian’s position grew stronger through careful political moves and military strength, while Lepidus was pushed to the background. In a decisive move, Octavian stripped Lepidus of his command and forced him into retirement, leaving him with little real power. This shows Lepidus leaving power while the other two continued to shape Rome’s future, culminating in Octavian’s rise to sole authority as Augustus. The remaining options aren’t people who could fall from power: Augustus is Octavian’s later name, while provinces and garrisons are territories or military forces, not individuals.