Gaius Sempronius Graco
(Rome, 154 BC- id ., 121 BC) Roman reformist politician, prominent member of the Graco family.After the death of his brother Tiberio Sempronio Graco, he tried a thorough reform of the Roman political system with the support of non-aristocratic groups.Cayo Sempronio Graco was one of the triumvirs in charge of the application of the agrarian law of his brother; he promoted the formation of a peasant class and the creation of new colonies (Tarentum, Carthage, Corinth) and promulgated a frumental law.Tribune of the plebe (123-122), his project of granting citizenship to Latinos caused his discredit.After his suicide, during a confrontation caused by the suppression of the Carthage colony, the laws passed by him and his brother were abolished.
The Graco brothers
The stage of social instability that began in Rome in the last third of the second century BC it would end a century later with the collapse of the Republic.The conquest had brought wealth, but to the benefit of limited sectors, accentuating social differences.The senatorial oligarchy had consolidated its power; Despite the progressive awareness of the popular sectors in the face of conservative nuclei, the mob never had their own initiative, as it was managed by noble groups, who did not hesitate to give singular prominence to institutions-like the tribunate-to achieve their ambitions.
The reformist politicians emerged from the very ranks of the Roman nobility, divided between various internal factions; the most famous popular leaders were the Graco brothers.The frustrated reforming work of Tiberius Sempronius Graco was continued by his brother Gaius Sempronius Graco, who was also a tribune of the plebs (123-122 BC).
Gaius Sempronius Graco undertook measures even more advanced than those of his brother: by virtue of a law, the senators were eliminated from the courts that tried the crimes committed by the provincial magistrates, transferring that competence to the knights; Another law was passed to reorganize the province of Asia, yielding the tax collection to the companies of publicans.They were measures that favored the equestrian establishment, increasingly powerful, against the senatorial clan.
In favor of the proletariat, Gaius Sempronio Graco put the agrarian law presented by his brother back into force.The foundation of some commercial colonies (Capua, Taranto, Carthage) was advocated, to install in them the sector of the populace not suitable for agricultural life.And a law was introduced according to which the government should guarantee the supply of grain at a fair price, in order to protect the poor against hunger and speculation.Graco also tried to extend citizenship to Latinos and Latin law to Italian allies, but the Roman people, jealous of their privileges, did not support him.Finally, defeated in the election for a third tribunate, Graco, with his supporters, ended up being eliminated.The disappearance of Cayo Graco provoked an immediate senatorial reaction, aimed at dismantling the achievements of the agrarian reform with various laws.
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