The Roman Revolution

Significance of the Gracchi

The Gracchi are tragic figures: genuine reformers who made fatal mistakes in political judgment. Together they mark the introduction of violence into Roman politics and the circumvention of the constitution, trends that will become more and more extreme in the next century.

They also raised the spectre of class warfare -- populares against optimates, a spectre that had not threatened Rome since the end of the Struggle of the Orders. The populares were those who advocated radical reform, and the optimates were those who opposed it, or who preferred to go slowly. In general, the wealthy and the Senate were in the optimate camp, while the common people supported the populares. What was most insidious was that the people of Rome could be bribed or bullied into voting for either at whim.

Finally, the crisis with the Gracchus brothers revealed the weakness of the patriciate and of the constitution. The Senate could be circumvented; not without price, but it appeared that there were those willing to pay the price. What was circumvented once would later be trampled repeatedly.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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