Pre 88 history

Question 1

Conditions leading up to rise of Gracchi x3

Answer 1

Failure of senatorial factions to address economic problems
Military failures in Sicily and Spain
Factional struggles of Claudii and Scipiones

Question 2

Tiberius Gracchus rise x4

Answer 2

Born to daughter of Scipio Africanus
Noble Family
Marries into Claudii
Sees failure in Spain

Question 3

Land Bill passage x7

Answer 3

o Limiting ownership of public land - giving lots to the poor
Had senatorial support (consul) but not enough, so bypasses senate
o Octavius, tribune blocks bill
Move to depose (extreme measure) - successful
o Bill passes – senate tries to obstruct
o Tib threatened with prosecution, seeks re-election – SCU attempted, violence
o He and his supporters are killed

Question 4

Views on Tib. Gracchus x2

Answer 4

Bradley
* Tiberius threatened to destroy the balance between the senate and the people
Cicero
* ‘Disrupt the harmony of the nation’ – Pro Sestio 103

Question 5

C.Gracchusx8

Answer 5

Since T’s death, Gaius formulated program of reform
-Elected tribune twice
- Successful 1st tribunate (popular with people)
-Senate not happy with re-election
-Lost supports of plebs in 2nd election
Senate opposes him, vetoing his proposals
Senate elects another tribune who pushes more radical bills to lessen gaius’ support
Not re-elected
Clash between supporters - a slave killed
Senate use an SCU and get him and 3000 supporters killed

Question 6

C.Gracchus reforms x5

Answer 6

• Reform program:
  o Capping grain prices
  o Re-enactment of Tib’s law
  o Consular provinces decided before elections (undermining corruption)
  o Equestrian juries
  o Latin citizenship

Question 7

Gracchi effects and commentary x7

Answer 7

Effects
- Brought equites into politics - creating a third force
- Bringing benefits of empire to the people, rather than the oligarchy
- Showed the way for future demagogues to use cheap corn and founding of colonies to gain favour
- Further revealed the use of tribunate against the senate
○ First significant challenge
- Problem of italian citizenship becomes more acute
- SCU used for first time
Bradley- Tibrunates of T and G marked a turning point in Roman political history