The Gracchi Brothers: Their Last Breaths
Tiberius Gracchus
With his job coming to an end, Tiberius wanted re-election as tribune for the next year. This was shocking to the Senate, and his opponents said that it was illegal and Tiberius was trying to become a tyrant. On re-election, fighting started in the Senate between Tiberius’ friends and his enemies. Tiberius was beaten to death with wooden chairs and about 300 of his friends suffered the same fate. These deaths marked a turning point in Roman history and a long-lasting reference between violence and the office of the tribune.
Gaius GracchusGaius's enemies tried to get rid his support and he lost voters by 121 BC. After fighting broke out on the Capitoline Hill and one of Gaius’ enemies was killed, the ‘ultimate decree of the Senate’ (Senatus consultum ultimum) was used for the first time. This law let Senate say anyone as an enemy of the state and kill him without trial by a court, a unfair death. A mob was then formed to murder Gaius. Knowing that his own death was written in stone, Gaius committed suicide on the Aventine Hill in 121 BC. All of his laws were undermined except for his grain laws. Three thousand of his friends and supporters were arrested and put to death in the days that followed.
With his job coming to an end, Tiberius wanted re-election as tribune for the next year. This was shocking to the Senate, and his opponents said that it was illegal and Tiberius was trying to become a tyrant. On re-election, fighting started in the Senate between Tiberius’ friends and his enemies. Tiberius was beaten to death with wooden chairs and about 300 of his friends suffered the same fate. These deaths marked a turning point in Roman history and a long-lasting reference between violence and the office of the tribune.
Gaius GracchusGaius's enemies tried to get rid his support and he lost voters by 121 BC. After fighting broke out on the Capitoline Hill and one of Gaius’ enemies was killed, the ‘ultimate decree of the Senate’ (Senatus consultum ultimum) was used for the first time. This law let Senate say anyone as an enemy of the state and kill him without trial by a court, a unfair death. A mob was then formed to murder Gaius. Knowing that his own death was written in stone, Gaius committed suicide on the Aventine Hill in 121 BC. All of his laws were undermined except for his grain laws. Three thousand of his friends and supporters were arrested and put to death in the days that followed.