A review of important figures in early Roman history should include mention of the life and contributions of Gaius Gracchus. His efforts, aimed towards achieving democratization and reform were notable and influential, both for the changes he sought to institute, as well as his style and manner of execution.
Gaius Gracchus, according to the book ‘ Makers of Rome’ was a well educated man, who along with his brother was well raised by an encouraging mother, and” by common consent no Romans have ever been more naturally gifted, they were considered to owe their virtues even more to their education” (Plutarch.Scott-Kilvert.1965.p.154). As a public speaker, he was referred to as “The first Roman to stride up and down the rostra and wrench his toga off his shoulder” (Plutarch. 1965.155), in a manner that could excite and involve those who listened to him.
Gaius was so passionate at times that Plutarch writes that his anger led him off-track in his oratories, and he had a slave who travelled with him to help him stay on message. During the speeches, Licinius, ” whenever he noticed that Gaius’s voice was becoming harsh or broken with passion, he would sound a soft note, and as soon as Gaius heard this he would immediately moderate his anger” (Plutarch. Scott- Kilvert1965.155). This showed that Gaius recognized the importance of reaching out, and connecting with the people. It was early democracy at work, and a model followed by other future rulers. He was recognized the importance of his oratory skills, and made arrangements to control it, thereby keep his words on track with the message he was trying to make. We see in the modern world today, as exampled by Barak Obama’s campaign the importance of oratory skills, and staying on track with the message. There can be no doubt Gaius’s communication skills played a large part in his successes.
An example of his persuasive abilities is evident in the situation where he procures community involvement and support of their troops. Plutarch recounts “The soldiers were suffering acutely from the cold, so Gaius Gracchus made a tour of the cities himself and persuaded them of their own free will to send clothing and relieve the army’s plight”(Plutarch. Scott-Kilvert.1965.p.176). Troop support would become one of many laws Gaius saw passed ,that stuck, and influenced Rome’s future in a positive way. Gaius introduced laws that were meant to be fair, and secure justice for the average citizen, as well as create controls, to prevent officials from abusing their powers. In one of the earliest laws he proposed, shadows of our modern day ‘innocent until proven guilty’ can be seen. Gaius’s proposal” Empowered the people to prosecute any magistrate who had banished a citizen without trial” (Plutarch.Scott-Kilvert.1965. p.178). Like a jury trial process, this law “Reaffirmed the ancient principle which protected a citizen’s life against the summary jurisdiction of the magistrates and placed it under that of the assembled people”(Plutarch.1965.Scott-Kilvert.p.178).
Gaius passed laws that were meant to protect and provide for the everyday citizen, and the poor. He sought to remove the ultimate controlling power enjoyed by the elite rich. In these early attempts at organized democracy we saw decision making and power more equally distributed out among the citizens. Another law which “regulated the appointment of jurymen” (Plutarch. Scott-Kilvert.1965.p.180), made it possible for people other than just senators to decide criminal cases. Plutarch says that “It was this law which did more than any other to reduce the power of the senate”(Plutarch.Scott-Kilvwert.1965.p.180).
Further contributions, to the future of Rome that resulted under the administration of Gaius Gracchus were legislative actions, that “Provided for the founding of colonies, the construction of roads, and the establishment of public graineries”(Plutarch. Scott-Kilvert. 1965. P.181). These progresses were especially important because as pointed out by the footnotes of author/ translator Scott- Kilvert, before Gaius Gracchus improvements, such as the roads and settlements were “mainly for strategic purposes” (Plutarch. Scott-Kilvert.p.181), such as defense. Much of Rome’s successful commerce can be attributed to Gaius’s settlement of outlying colonies, and infrastructure improvements. Aside from seeing that the roads were serviceable, Gracchus ” Had every road measured in miles- the Roman mile is a little less than eight furlongs- and stone pillars erected to mark the distance”(Plutarch.Scott-Kilvert.p.182), another improvement that has come down through the ages to our modern times.
While many of the reforms implemented by Gaius were beneficial to the future growth and success of Rome, such as the settlement of the colonies, multiple sources refer to his efforts to care for the poor as his major failing point. As author Wormser states, in ‘ The Story of The Law and the Men Who Made it, “He intended this as a temporary expedient, and his humanitarian motive was praiseworthy, but the dole, once created, remained with Rome for good” (Wormser. 1962.P.104). This measure actually slowed the reform movement, as pointed out in two ways, first” The people were reasonably content as long as they got free sustenance” (Wormser.1962. 104).Which meant they did not view reform legislation as importantly as they did in earlier stages, for example when they were hungry. A second draw back to the measure was that” Many a rascally politician ingratiated himself with the people by distributing corn” (Wormser. 1962. P.104).
Gaius was not able to see his reforms to completion before his death, but because of the groundwork he laid “Others picked up where Gracchi had left off”(Wormser.1962.p.104). This was evident when another “democratic revolt broke out ten years after the death of Gaius Gracchus, led by Gaius Marius, an illiterate man of humble birth”(Wormser.1962.p.104-105), who somewhat followed the reforms of Gaius Gracchus. We see Gaius’s influence carried on, Wormser says “The best known of the Gracchus imitators was Julius Caesar, who adopted many planks from their program, including an extension of the right to vote, an allocation of farms to the poor, and a general democratization of the government”(Wormser.1962. 105). As an example to those who followed, as well as for the progress he made as a reformer in his time, Gaius Gracchus was a positive influence on Rome’s future.
Works Cited:
- Plutarch, Scott- Kilvert Ian, Makers of Rome: Coriolanus, Fabius Maximus, Macellus, Cato the Elder, Tiberius Gracchus, Gaius Gracchus, Sertorius, Brutus, Mark Antony, Translated by Ian Scott-Kilvert, Edition: reprint, illustrated, Published by Penguin Classics, 1965.
- Wormser Rene Albert, The Story of the Law and the Men who Made it: From the Earliest Times to the Present, Edition: revised, Published by Simon and Schuster, 1962.
