Note to JULIUS CAESAR, 4.1.14, 'The three-fold world divided'

In this scene Shakespeare jumps forward about 4 years. Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C.E, and it was not until 40 B.C.E. that the Roman dominions were formally divided into three regions.

Immediately after the assassination of Julius Caesar (44 B.C.), Brutus and Cassius fled to the East and took control of most of the Roman provinces there, including Macedonia, Asia Minor, and Syria. Meanwhile Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus fought each other in Italy, until they decided to work together and seize control of Rome, which they did by forming what is known as the "Second Triumvirate." The Second Triumvirate was a three-man dictatorship, which was approved by the cowed Roman Senate.

The Roman territories were then divided into three spheres of influence: Octavius was assigned the West (Italy and the rest of Europe); Antony, the East; and Lepidus, Africa.