Notes on Tiberius Gracchus and the Gracchi Reforms

Background

Tiberius Gracchus: Son of Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus (victor of Spain) and Cornelia (daughter of Scipio Africanus).
Belonged to the nobilitas but aimed to support the popular cause through agrarian reforms.

Observed poverty among small landowners in Etruria, lands once cultivated by free men now owned by wealthy landholders.
Influenced by Greek preceptors, especially Blossius of Cuma, advocating for egalitarianism.
Context of Pergamum: site of an anti-Roman revolt led by Aristonicus, promoting social utopia ideas.

Limit on Land Ownership: 500 iugera (125 hectares) per individual, with an additional 250 iugera per son, capping at 1000 iugera per family.
Triumvirate Commission: Established to allocate redistributed land, including:
- Tiberius Gracchus
- Caius Gracchus (his brother)
- Appius Claudius Pulcher (Tiberius' father-in-law)
- Other members: Publius Licinius Crassus Mucianus and Publius Mucius Scevola.
Funding: From the treasure of Attalus III, king of Pergamum, who died without heirs.

Marcus Ottavius: vetoed the reform, representing conservative interests. Tiberius sought to dismiss him through popular vote, which was an extraordinary move in Rome.
After Octavius's dismissal, the Sempronia Law was approved.
Tiberius faced backlash from the oligarchy, leading to his death in 133 BC amid political turmoil.

Sources portray Tiberius variedly:
- Velleius Paterculus: viewed as destructive to the state.
- Cicero and Florus: labeled him "antipopular."
- Plutarch: recognized Tiberius’ noble cause and social sensitivity.
- Appian: acknowledged Tiberius’ intentions but criticized his execution of the proposal.
Tiberius' death: supporters attacked, body thrown into the river, reflected the violent opposition to reforms.

Continuation of the triumviral commission established by Tiberius.
Lex Agraria Epigrafica (111 BC): aimed to clarify issues of public vs. private land ownership.
Political tensions continued post-Tiberius, marked by the death of Scipio Aemilianus under mysterious circumstances.

Elected tribune; expanded upon Tiberius’ reforms:
- Proposed further agrarian legislation targeting plebs, Italic allies, and knights.
- Frumentaria Law: provided subsidized wheat to citizens of Rome.
- Lex Iudicaria: limited Senate power in judicial matters.
- Proposed citizenship for Latins and rights for Italians.

Caius faced increased opposition, especially from Marco Livio Drusus, manipulated by the Senate to undermine him.
Caius’ popularity waned; during his final political efforts, violent conflicts erupted, leading to his and Flaccus’s deaths.

Gracchan Reforms: Despite the deaths, reforms did not disappear entirely; the land redistribution concepts persisted.
Impact on Roman politics and agriculture, leading to significant changes in land surveying practices and administration.
Centuriation technique established by the Gracchi remained influential in subsequent eras, including under Sulla and Caesar.