U4 AOS2 - The Brothers Gracchi (168 - 133, 154 - 121 BCE) Flashcards
What did Matthew Dillon and Lynda Garland say began with the Gracchi?
“It is not an understatement to say that the demise of the Republic began with the Gracchi” (Matthew Dillon and Lynda Garland)
When did Tiberius Gracchus live?
168 - 133 BCE
What did the Lex Sempronia Agraria propose? (Tiberius proposed in 133 BCE)
That the senate should give to the war veterans some of the Italian land that had been confiscated from the allied cities during the Second Punic War; land which many senators were illegally using for their own profit.
What did Tiberius (168 - 133 BCE) do that led to the senate disliked?
Tiberius attempted to pass his Lex Sempronia Agraria directly through the Plebeian Council without the consultation of the senate.
Although the senate persuaded another tribune; Octavius, to veto Tiberius’ Lex Sempronia Agraria, only for Octavius to be forcibly removed from the Plebeian Assembly so he couldn’t veto, violating his sacrosanctity.
Tiberius then accepted a foreign donation from the city of Pergamum to put his Lex Sempronia Agraria into action.
According to Plutarch, how was Tiberius killed?
The senators “furnished themselves with clubs and staves from their houses … [and] fragments of stools and chairs”
“Tiberius was beaten to death; his body was taken out & thrown into the Tiber along with 200 of his followers.”
When did Gaius Gracchus live?
154 - 121 BCE
When did Gaius Gracchus become Tribune?
123 BCE
What did Mackay say was astonishing about Gaius Gracchus’ (154 - 121 BCE) time as tribunate?
“One of the astonishing things about Gaius’ first tribunate is the ease in with which he managed to secure re-election to a second term.” (Mackay)
What did Scullard say Gaius made “harder”
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“Meant it was harder for the senate to reward its favourites” (Scullard)
What did Gaius successfully propose should be done on the ruins of Carthage?
Gaius successfully proposed that Rome should build a new city on the ruins of Carthage. (Appian)
What was the Grain Dole?
The lex frumentaria (grain dole) was a law asserting that the state could sell a certain amount of grain each month at subsidised prices to individual citizens.
How did Gaius die?
After a messenger of consol Opimius was killed during a meeting discussing the construction of Gaius’ new city at Carthage, Opimius ordered a direct military attack on Gaius and his supporters.
Gaius ordered one of his slaves to kill him, and thousands of Gaius’ loyal supporters were slain by Opimius.
What two key groups were the senate split between after the Gracchi period?
The Optimates and Populares.
