The Significance of the Gracchi - 1582 Words

The Significance of the Gracchi When Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus sought to establish the liberty of the common people and expose the crimes of the oligarchs, the guilty nobles took fright and opposed their proceedings by every means at their disposal - Cicero. The Gracchi brothers were clearly well intentioned men who had the interests of Rome at heart, instead of their own, which was a common attitude amongst the other senators. The reforms of the Gracchi were long over-due and their programs were genuine attempts to deal with Romes problems. During the Gracchis existence, Rome was facing a number of social, political and economic problems. They were frustrated with the conservatism and selfishness of the oligarchy and so adopted†¦show more content†¦There was a military crisis, with lack of eligible recruits for the legions, aggravated by the Spanish and Sicilian wars. There was tension in the oligarchy between leading factions (Claudii / Sempronii and the Scipios) as they struggled for political superio rity. And amongst all these problems was the failure of the ruling nobility within the senate to deal with these problems. In order to determine the significance of both Gracchi, one must examine both Tiberius and Gaius actions and the effects they had at the time. In 133, Tiberius Gracchus attempted to solve Romes problems, specifically the land crisis. He introduced the Lex Agraria, a bill for land reform, which proposed that a commission of three people should allocate small holdings of land owned by the state (ager publicus) to landless citizens. The bill was met with great controversy, however, it wasnt the content of the bill that provoked the reaction, rather the means with which it was proposed. As Stockton notes It ceased to be a struggle about the rights and wrongs of a particular land bill and became a fundamental question about the true nature of Roman politics. Tiberius met great opposition to the bill itself because the ruling Nobiles were those benefiting the most from the current situation. Therefore, Tiberius used his tribunate in an unprecedented manner, and in proposing his bill, bypas sed the senate going directly toShow MoreRelatedTiberius Sempronius Gracchus Essay1730 Words   |  7 Pagesits full extent. To a few of us here today, this is a solemn and most momentous occasion. Today I will be critically analysing and assessing the significance of three key areas which have been the crux of historical debate for centuries. Today I will be touching on Tiberius family background, education, and early career to 134BC, the aims and significance of Gracchus lex agraria and Gracchus political reforms and methods. Let me tell you about Gracchus background. Plutarch tells us a lot aboutRead MoreThe Gracchi Brothers Essay1792 Words   |  8 Pagescheck. The Gracchi brothers grew up during a time when the Roman Empire was still under civil unrest. The Roman people were divided, lands were unevenly distributed, the government was disorderly, patriotism ceased to exist, and slave labor made it harder for citizens to uproot themselves from poverty. Tiberius, the elder brother, was the first to bring up the agrarian laws, and was followed after his death by his younger brother, Gaius Gracchus. The brothers knew of the significance of winningRead MoreEssay ROME IN THE AUGUSTINIAN AGE1775 Words   |  8 Pagestaken when assessing this source as it is Octavian’s own account of what happened, and so is obviously extremely biased, aiming to portray himself and his achievements as he wanted them to be remembered. Regardless of the time period the significance of Octavians actions are c lear. 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Significance- The biggest city to exist at the time wit the most complex governing, city structure, and buildings of the era, a massive monument to DariusRead MoreRome in The Age of Augustus2208 Words   |  9 Pagesinformation from this source as it is Octavian’s own account of what happened, and so is obviously extremely biased, aiming to portray both himself and his achievements, in the way he wanted them to be remembered. Regardless of the time period, the significance of Octavians actions are clear. He gave up his powers and returned absolute authority in the provinces as well as his control of the legions that were sanctioned there. (Antiquity 2 Interpreting The Past) This was significant as these legionsRead More The Politics of Caesar Augustus Essays2631 Words   |  11 Pagesseriously and re-established religious rites and ceremonies that had been neglected. This relates to how he tried to restore respect for the senate by removing unworthy members and revitalis ing the governing body. Finally H. H. Scullard From the Gracchi To Nero tells us how in 27 BC Augustus met with the Senate on the 13th of January, and proceeded to renounce all his emergency powers, and give them back to the Senate and the people of Rome. He was then begged to take the position back, and becameRead MorePolitical Behaviour Impact to Leadership Excellence11497 Words   |  46 Pagesmission, be he conservative or radical in relation to the ideas of the existing political leaders. He therefore prospers on mass support and only belatedly receives adherents from among the established leaders. Such was the experience of men like the Gracchi of ancient Rome, Cola de Rienzi of medieval Rome, Savonarola of Renaissance Florence, St. Francis, Cromwell of the English Commonwealth, Robespierre of Revolutionary France, Napoleon I, Mussolini of Fascist Italy, Gandhi of India, and Hitler of Nazi