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The Gracchi Murders
Many of us know the legend of the Roman Empire. What we might not know are some of the scandalous details. One was the story of the Gracchi murders.
Rome was expanding and taking over the Mediterranean basin. With these conquests, new problems arose for the Roman Republic. As the leaders tried to adjust to the expanded Republic, they also found themselves faced with problems rising up within the government. Men began to seek reforms that were both beneficial for the Republic, certain factions of people, and ultimately for themselves. The result was blood on the Senate’s hands. The death of reformers was deemed necessary for the survival of the Republic and the self-interest of the oligarchy.
Hard Issues
The oligarchy could not handle the new issues. They had never seen anything like the vast need for land reform, which ultimately shaped the Roman military, and the desire of so many to be considered Roman citizens. Growing pains began to be felt. Each member of the oligarchy was searching for a solution where everyone won, especially them.
It was hard for the oligarchy as they had found themselves changing from within. They were linked through blood and marriage ties and had, historically, been tight. After the Second Punic War, “its formerly strong corporate sense had been overtaken by the ambitions of individuals and factional groups.” Self-interest began to take center stage as the two families of Scipiones and Claudii sought power. The result was drastic actions toward anyone deemed to be acting in a manner that would diminish any power of the oligarchy. Two men, in positions of Roman authority, tried to enact reforms that ultimately led the oligarchy to murder them and their supporters. The end of the Republic was underway.
The Right Partnership
Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus and Gaius Gracchus were brothers who saw a chance to make reforms that would ease the pain from the new Roman acquisitions and advance their own careers. Between the two of them, they proposed reforms that would benefit the military and the economic status of the Republic. Each reform was met with resistance.
There were huge tracts of land that were confiscated after the Punic Wars that became public land. Over the years, the land was taken…
