Comparing Tiberius Gracchus And Cicero

This essay will attempt to explain the motives that have led to the rise and fall of the brothers Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus in the late second century B.C. Although very few sources remain of these accounts, which are based mainly on works of the historians Appian and Plutarch, the Gracchi have been the subject of study by several scholars. If on the one hand earlier historians tend to represent them as heroes and revolutionaries, on the other, more recent ones have regarded them as two controversial figures which were politically motivated by personal gains. They proposed and passed a series of legislations and the most controversial one is the agrarian law about the redistribution of the land. It can be argued that their motives have been certainly and thoroughly selfless for the good of the people of Rome in the specific period of history which spans from 133 B.C to 121 B.C. On the contrary, as it will be explained below, their methods have not always been ‘orthodox’. There could be three main areas that will help this essay to conclude if they were truly heroes of the people or political opportunists; the first is to evaluate what their true motives were, the second is to assess if there was an agrarian crisis and the third to establish who the beneficiaries of their legislations were. Overall, as all political figures, the Gracchi have to be taken in the context of the specific roman society of their time.

Cicero, a very successful Roman politician, also plays a very significant role in the story of “Bartleby, the Scrivener”. The narrator has a bust of Cicero in his office connecting the two cultures; the Western and Eastern cultures however are strikingly different. At around 100 B.C. Cicero led the Roman Empire in a very structured and civilized way. The Roman Empire’s governmental structure is very similar to the United Stated government because they both include three branches. The Judiciary, the Executive, and the Legislative branches are included in both civilizations; however the Roman’s devised this system more than 2,000 years before the United States. They also both have elected officials who are either elected or are appointed by the Consuls. The Roman Government was very orderly and organized, the exact opposite of how it was in Bartleby’s office. This small detail in the story creates more contrast and helps us better understand the changes that can happen in such a short amount of time. The law office was a very orderly place, it just takes one person to throw any well oiled system off balance.

I believe that being a beloved leader has a huge effect on being a better ruler. In 44 B.C. Julius Caesar was assassinated by his senate chamber. Soon his nephew and adopted son, Gaius Octavian, would join forces with Mark Anthony and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus into a three-way dictatorship. This transformed Rome from being a Monarchy into being a dictatorship. Lepidus left Rome soon after Octavian began reign and went on to lead parts of Africa and Hispania. In 37 B.C. Mary Anthony met Cleopatra. They fell in love and Mark followed her back to Egypt. Octavian took reign over Rome and obtained the name Augustus Caesar. Mark Anthony and Augustus became enemies and war broke out between Rome and Egypt. This is one reason for why I believe that

"When Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus sought to establish the liberty of the common people and expose the crimes of the oligarchs, the guilty nobles took fright and opposed their proceedings by every means at their disposal" - Cicero. The Gracchi brothers were clearly well intentioned men who had the interests of Rome at heart, instead of their own, which was a common attitude amongst the other senators. The reforms of the Gracchi were long over-due and their programs were genuine attempts to deal with Rome's problems. During the Gracchi's existence, Rome was facing a number of social, political and economic problems. They were frustrated with the conservatism and selfishness of the oligarchy and so adopted

Cicero's basic viewpoint held that Rome was held together as a Republic because of the rule of the Senate, not the rule of one King or one Man. Cicero opposed the idea of Julius Caesar taking on more and more power and authority, because he saw this as diminishing the authority of the Senate. The Senate, Cicero thought, was the representative of the "people of Rome," and the discourse and disagreement during debate allowed for more egalitarian rule than that on a central figure. The rule of Rome, than, was based on "a man who is held worthy of defending"¦. Cannot be deemed unworthy of the constitution itself." This, and the idea of being born a common person, allowed Cicero to believe that it was the oratory and intellectual skills of the individual

Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus was the son of a Roman aristocrat whose family had regularly held the highest offices of state for the past century. Tiberius achieved much in his life and was a man of high distinction in political circles. He was a man with a prominent background- coming from very powerful families. It seemed also, that many had high expectations of him, and his potential was not seen to its full extent. To a few of us here today, this is a solemn and most momentous occasion. Today I will be critically analysing and assessing the significance of three key areas which have been the crux of historical debate for centuries. Today I will be touching on Tiberius' family background, education, and early career to 134BC, the aims

This research paper is about the fall of the Roman Empire and the effects Tiberius Gracchus had on it. The research paper will describe the historical effect Tiberius Gracchus and his shocking death had on Rome and it’s fall. The research paper will also show how his death affected the people and delicate democracy Rome had installed into it’s government. The research paper will also be detailing how Tiberius Gracchus’s brother Gaius Gracchus’s reaction and what he did afterwards. The paper also tell of how Rome fell because of all the actions and effects the Gracchi family had on Rome.

After centuries of a stable republic in Rome, Rome’s political landscape is quickly changing. With kings and great political commanders venerated as gods, the power of the empire lies within the hands of a few. While Rome is conquering and controlling lands far away, the Roman people desire a great leader to oversee the wealth of the empire. Coming back from Egypt after the death of Pompey, Julius Caesar is determined to cement his place in power. However, as Julius Caesar becomes more ambitious, so does his opponents such as Brutus and Cassius.

- 56 BC - In Vatinium testem - Against the witness Publius Vatinius at the trial of Sestius

The Annals by Tacitus summarizes the reigns of the Roman princes. “The histories of Tiberius, Caius, Claudius, and Nero, while they were in power, were falsified through terror, and after their death were written under the irritation of a recent hatred. Hence my purpose is to relate a few a few facts about augustus- more particularly his last acts, then the reign of Tiberius, and all which follows, without either bitterness or partiality, from any motives to which I am far removed (Tacitus, The Annals). Tiberius’s rule was discussed by noting the history that lead to his rule, which accounts to modern histories by ____________. This shows that the quality of Roman Government was _______________ in this period.

Julius Caesar is a great play written by William Shakespeare based on the real-life historical

Legatum Caesar    Politics is something that has been in place since the first organized society. However, comparing politics earlier in history with politics in this day may look like 2 completely different ideas. While the changes in politics from the time of Julius Caesar, to now may be significant, comparing certain instances between the two may produce unexpected results. In Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, most politicians fight for power while some fight for Rome, which could be directly compared to politics in this day and age where most politicians fight for money and power, while very few fight for what they believe in.

Cicero What does this dialogue by Cicero tell us on how he views the Roman Republic? Cicero was defending the Roman Republic and disapproved having just one man ruling over people as a King. Cicero agreed with the Roman Republic which was made up of two consuls in which would rule Rome, but overall the Senate was the center of power. The senate would make laws and government policies but would have the people assembly approve the law before becoming final.

Explain the differences between Cicero and Quintilian, specifically their differences when it came to rhetoric

In 133 BCE, Tibérius Grácchus was elected a tribune in Rome and sought to bring positive change. His efforts and those of his brother, Gáius Grácchus, threatened Rome’s aristocracy. Tibérius proposed redistributing lands and limiting the size of individual holdings. His and three hundred followers were killed in the Forum. About ten years later, Gáius proposed giving grain to the poor and extending, what Morey calls, “Róman franchise to the people of Ítaly” (p. 90). Morey suggests that Gáius’ “corn law” became an institution, which led to an even greater influx of the poor, into Rome seeking grain, and that Gáius’ reforms, including enfranchisement, led to his death, along with a few thousand fellow citizens