Tribuneship of 122.E2.80.93121 BC Gaius Gracchus

1 tribuneship of 122–121 bc

1.1 reforms in 122 bc
1.2 senatorial response
1.3 death of scipio africanus younger

tribuneship of 122–121 bc
reforms in 122 bc

gaius social reforms far wider reaching of brother tiberius. perhaps motivated fate of brother, of earliest reforms dealt judiciary system. set 2 initial measures, first of prohibited magistrate had been deposed people holding office second time. gaius s second bill established right of people prosecute magistrate had exiled citizens without trial. these decisions direct response senate s actions in aftermath of brother tiberius s murder.

courts capital punishment, not set people, declared illegal retrospective measure saw former consul popilius laenas driven exile. further reforms judicial system passed check acquittals senatorial juries of senators charged extortion; lex acilia placed extortion trials under control of equites class, , trial procedures redesigned in favour of prosecution. jurists acting in criminal cases drawn both senatorial , equestrian classes.

tiberius land reforms continued, , broadened in scope, providing larger allotments free labourers employed. large overseas colonies planned provide thousands of settlers may have included italians roman citizens. lex frumentaria required state buy bulk grain north africa , sicily , distribute citizens @ low price, monthly ration. secondary roads extended throughout italy, facilitate trade , communication. rome s censors auctioned off contracts tax collection in asia.

gaius s lex militaris provided free issue of clothes , equipment soldiers, shortened term of military service , forbade draft of boys under age of seventeen. these reforms intended raise army morale , win political support of soldiers, allies, , voters small incomes.

gaius submitted franchise bill sought extension of roman citizenship latin citizens, , of latin citizenship italian allies. bill rejected because roman plebeians had no wish share benefits of citizenship, including subsidised grain , entertainment. rejection of measure led, in part, disastrous social war of 90 bc.

in further slight power of senate, gaius changed physically how speeches delivered rostra. formerly, when speaker delivered speech in forum, turned face right in direction of curia, senate house, , comitium. instead, gaius turn face left, toward direction of forum proper, turning on senate.

gaius showed great efficiency in administration. oversaw implementation of each new institution, , selected 300 equestrian jurists. following year helped gaius fannius win consulship, , elected tribune in 122 popular vote.

senatorial response

the senate interpreted gaius popularity , legislation threats privilege , position. backed tribune, livius drusus. placed under strict orders not incite violence; instead, should propose legislation please common people, , make known had senate s backing. in event, proposed legislation neither credible nor beneficial commons, , intended merely undermine gaius.

when gaius proposed 2 colonies founded reliable citizens, senate accused him of trying win favor people before drusus proposed twelve 3 thousand citizens. when gaius granted needy small plots of redistributed land on condition pay small rent public coffers, senate accused him of trying win favor people before drusus proposed same rent-free.

when gaius proposed latins should have equal voting rights, senate protested, approved of drusus measure no latin ever beaten rods. drusus went great pains ensure never seen benefactor, politically or economically, of legislation rather proposed measures, backed senate, further benefit people. drusus constant referencing senate worked , @ least of people began feel less hostility toward senate, marking senatorial plan resounding success. when measure passed found colony @ carthage, had been destroyed in 146 bc scipio africanus younger, gaius appointed oversee construction , left africa. drusus took advantage of gaius absence attacking gaius ally, fulvius flaccus, known agitator senate , suspected stirring italian allies revolt.

a new candidate emerged consulship, 1 lucius opimius, had opposed fannius consulship in 122 bc , been stymied gaius machinations. opimius, staunch conservative , oligarchical man wanted restore power senate, had garnered significant following , stood poised challenge gaius directly. opimius had made sole mission unseat gaius.

death of scipio africanus younger

when scipio younger agreed represent italian allies, protesting injustices done them tiberius gracchus land reform supposed remedy, won hostility of people, accused him of standing against tiberius gracchus , wishing abolish law , incite bloodshed.

when scipio died , mysteriously 1 day, gaius 1 of many political enemies implicated in death. carbo had day delivered fiery speech against scipio , he—like other gracchan political allies such fulvius flaccus—was known outspoken enemy of scipio s during time gracchan-backed proposal formally allow tribunes multiple terms in office defeated in large part due scipio s influence. in fact, between years of return spain in 132 , death in 129, scipio inexorably began unite ruling oligarchy against gaius. other members of gracchi family accused; scipio had been in loveless marriage sempronia, sister of gracchi brothers , daughter of mother cornelia - scipio referred wife deformed , barren . both women suspected of murdering scipio because of perceived attempt undo reforms of tiberius.