Keep your Enemies closer.

How is it that the Romans were able to survive as long as they did. It seemed that the military leader with the biggest and best army just threatened the senate to get their way into the senate. Sulla and Ceaser both used this method, Sulla was the luckier retiring before someone could kill him. Eventually when someone wanted some change, the solution was betrayal. Did the senate even meet to discuss political issues or was it just a meeting to remind each other which side they were on, or how to change policy by murder. All the methods used even though they seemed as if they were for the republic, usually had a another reason behind it. Octavian Marc Antony and Lepidus formed the second triumvirate. Octavian and Marc Antony were at odds with each so you could tell that Lepidus was eventually going to get screwed in this ordeal. Octavian knew he didn't have the power to defeat Antony yet so might as well become his ally, wait a while and build a bigger army with out the threat of Antony. When he was finally ready he attacked. Antony eventually is defeated leaving Octavian to control the Senate. A good of example of keep your friends close and your enemies closer.