Jonathan Carr
November 12, 2013
Essay 3: Tiberius Gracchus
Plutarch recounts the life and death of Tiberius Gracchus within the context of the increasing social, economic, and political instability of the Roman Republic during the second century B.C.E. As a vociferous advocate for land reform and champion of the poor and war veterans, Tiberius won strong support among the common people yet greatly offended an increasing number of powerful elites. Many senators came to vehemently oppose him not solely because of his liberal land reform policies but more significantly, due to their perception of his increasing arrogance, inflexibility, political ambition, and legally dubious methods to attain his goals. As Plutarch’s narrative indicates, the young idealistic Roman, born of nobility, who garnered such a great reputation early in life as an educated scholar, a brave soldier, an eloquent orator, and a truly benevolent activist, acted quite recklessly in pursuing reform. He ultimately underestimated the entrenched power and hostility of the wealthy aristocratic senators and paid for this miscalculation with his life. An assessment of the first political violence of the Roman Republic requires an examination of Tiberius Grachuss’s background as well as the overall problems related to conquest, expansion, and political corruption.
First of all, one must examine Tiberius’s background to understand his rise in popularity and power. As the son of wealthy aristocratic parents of great reputation, early in life he enjoyed social, economic and educational privilege which would soon help facilitate his rise in political power. His family obviously had important political connections, as his father, Tiberius Gracchus the Elder, had served as censor, consul, and military commander, and his mother, Cornelia, was the daughter of Scipio Africanus, the famous general who defeated Hannibal.
Furthermore, his sister was married to Scipio Aemilianus, the younger general...
