Gracchi Glory
Research Essay
The Glory That Was Rome
Toby Aan
Year 12
Date Due: 6th March, 2013
Date Submitted: 6th March, 2013
The tragedy of the Gracchi “lay in the methods they adopted rather than the ends they sought.” How accurate is this assessment of the work of Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus?
While the Gracchi brothers were motivated by the serious need for reform and equality in the Roman state, the methods they adopted led to both their political failure, and their violent, untimely ends. Both brothers were “genuinely committed to the interest of the people”[1], however the means adopted to fulfil their good intentions only led to tragedy and discontent. In attempting to implement political reform and break the monopoly …show more content…
His actions must have destroyed any sympathy that still remained for him in the Senate.”[15]
This discontent grew into violent “hatred, fear and distrust”[16] from the Senate, exemplified when a riot broke out involving a group of Senators, killing Tiberius and hundreds of his supporters, causing what is seen as “the first bloodshed in the long agony of the Roman Revolution”[17]. In a similar way to his brother, Gaius Gracchi 's attempts to undermine the Senate led to severe opposition to his otherwise beneficial legislation. Beck notes how:
“[Gaius] had deprived Senators of judicial powers, interfered in foreign affairs, championed popular sovereignty and made a takeover bid for the patronage of all Italy. His own power was not merely more blatant than that of Tiberius but had lasted twice as long, raising the very real threat of regnum based on popular support. This fear was strengthened when Gaius stood for election a third time, which suggests he was indeed trying to revolutionise, not merely reform, Rome 's …show more content…
I used the text for gaining a different perspective on the Gracchi and their political actions, and as primary source evidence through quotes.
Scullard, H.H. From the Gracchi to Nero, (1959), Butler and Tanner, London.
This text was quite likely the most useful source for my essay. Providing a short (around 20 pages) but detailed overview of the lives of the Gracchi and their political careers, with a focus on the legislation made by the two men. This source was incredibly useful in providing information, perspective and structure for my essay, and I used it as one of my main points of reference. The source was especially helpful in writing my second two body paragraphs.
Stockton, D. The Gracchi, (1979), Clarendon Press, Oxford.
Like Bernstein 's Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, this source was mostly too dense and detailed to be applicable for my essay. However, it did provide an interesting commentary on the political and agricultural issues plaguing Rome at the time, as well as a detailed account of Tiberius ' lex
The Glory That Was Rome
Toby Aan
Year 12
Date Due: 6th March, 2013
Date Submitted: 6th March, 2013
The tragedy of the Gracchi “lay in the methods they adopted rather than the ends they sought.” How accurate is this assessment of the work of Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus?
While the Gracchi brothers were motivated by the serious need for reform and equality in the Roman state, the methods they adopted led to both their political failure, and their violent, untimely ends. Both brothers were “genuinely committed to the interest of the people”[1], however the means adopted to fulfil their good intentions only led to tragedy and discontent. In attempting to implement political reform and break the monopoly …show more content…
His actions must have destroyed any sympathy that still remained for him in the Senate.”[15]
This discontent grew into violent “hatred, fear and distrust”[16] from the Senate, exemplified when a riot broke out involving a group of Senators, killing Tiberius and hundreds of his supporters, causing what is seen as “the first bloodshed in the long agony of the Roman Revolution”[17]. In a similar way to his brother, Gaius Gracchi 's attempts to undermine the Senate led to severe opposition to his otherwise beneficial legislation. Beck notes how:
“[Gaius] had deprived Senators of judicial powers, interfered in foreign affairs, championed popular sovereignty and made a takeover bid for the patronage of all Italy. His own power was not merely more blatant than that of Tiberius but had lasted twice as long, raising the very real threat of regnum based on popular support. This fear was strengthened when Gaius stood for election a third time, which suggests he was indeed trying to revolutionise, not merely reform, Rome 's …show more content…
I used the text for gaining a different perspective on the Gracchi and their political actions, and as primary source evidence through quotes.
Scullard, H.H. From the Gracchi to Nero, (1959), Butler and Tanner, London.
This text was quite likely the most useful source for my essay. Providing a short (around 20 pages) but detailed overview of the lives of the Gracchi and their political careers, with a focus on the legislation made by the two men. This source was incredibly useful in providing information, perspective and structure for my essay, and I used it as one of my main points of reference. The source was especially helpful in writing my second two body paragraphs.
Stockton, D. The Gracchi, (1979), Clarendon Press, Oxford.
Like Bernstein 's Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, this source was mostly too dense and detailed to be applicable for my essay. However, it did provide an interesting commentary on the political and agricultural issues plaguing Rome at the time, as well as a detailed account of Tiberius ' lex