THE GRACCHITIBERIUS GRACCHUS

(163-133 BC)

and

GAIUS GRACCHUS (153-121 BC)

Conditions in the Late RepublicMilitary problems: Fewer men eligible for army, military levy based on land ownership. Decline in birth rate impacted army numbers. Lower quality of troops = undisciplined. Poor training and lack of quality leadership.Social problems: Urbanisation – ex-soldiers, slaves and foreigners, flocked to Rome. Drift of peasant farmers and labourers to Rome = unemployment. Pop. increase, overcrowding, poor housing = unemployment. Slave uprisings from poor treatment.Economic problems: Great influx of wealth from provinces, included booty. Most wealth went into hands of upper class. Peasants returning from wars unable to compete with wealthier farmers –

forced off their land. Boom period in building and increased private spending in the 140s,

reduction in public spending. Economic depression, misery, unrest. Shortage of grain and grain imported = high price of bread.

Tiberius Gracchus – Tribune In 133, Tiberius Gracchus was elected as one

of ten tribunes Within 10 months of being elected he had

presented a highly controversial bill for land reform to the people’s assembly without consulting the senate. It was called lex agraria

The aim of Lex Agraria: Redistribute land equally Address acute urbanisation Easing the crisis of recruitment in the legions

Tiberius Gracchus and Land Reform

Tiberius Gracchus told the people: “You fight and die to give luxury to other men…but you have not a foot of ground to call

your own.”

Wanted to limit the amount of

land each person could own

Wanted to rebuild the farming class by redistributing

land

The patricians were not pleased

with Tiberius Gracchus

Tiberius Gracchus and hundreds of

his followers were murdered

The lower classes (plebeians) were suffering.

133 BCE – Tiberius Gracchus was elected as tribune of the plebeians He promised land reform

Tiberius Gracchus – decade after132 BCE – Supporters and Gracchans killed or stripped of titles and public office. However, Gaius Gracchus (brother) headed the Agrarian Commission.

131-130 BCE – Attempt to introduce a measure to extend the secret ballot to assemblies to legalise re-election to the tribunate – supported by Gaius Gracchus, however failed to pass.

129 BCE – Boundary disputes between Rome and her Italian and Latin allies

127 BCE – Gaius Gracchus elected quaestor

126 BCE – Law passed to prevent non-citizens from living in Rome

125 BCE – Proposition by consul Fulvius Flaccus to extend Roman citizenship to allies. Opposition was widespread in Senate, failed to pass.

123 BCE – Gaius Gracchus elected tribune of the plebs

Gaius Gracchus – Tribune

Effects of the Gaius tribunate

Equites – third political force

People realised they could gain some

benefits of empire

Encouraged future leaders to establish

colonies to gain political power

Problem of Italian citizenship became

acute

Senate used decree to save state – excuse to crush

opposition

Worsened the conditions for people

in the provinces

Senate power weakened

The tribune could be used as a weapon against the senate

Gaius Gracchus and ReformGaius was elected tribune in 123 BCE,

about ten years after his brother was murdered.

He also wanted land reform.

Gaius wanted even more than land

reform.

Gaius wanted the government to sell grain to the poor at

reduced prices.

Gaius proposed that landless Romans be

settled in the provinces.

Gaius wanted a public works

program to employ the poor.

Gaius wanted to reform the way that taxes were collected by publicans in the

provinces.

Gaius wanted to decrease the

Senate’s power.

Riots erupted. In 121 BCE, he was killed along with thousands of his

supporters.