CLA160H1 Lecture Notes - Gaius Gracchus, Gracchi, Socii
Document Summary
Civil war in the last 100 years of the republic. Land: patricians (wealthy elite) (wealth was based on their landholding, they were typically not mercantile agents) they scoop up public land . Land and soldiers: property needed to enlist in army, veterans want land upon retirement. To qualify to serve as a soldier, you need to own land; hence the peasant- solider was endangered. Soldiers and generals: armies more loyal to leader than country. Persistent problem with soldiers identifying with their army more than their country. This allows for the possibility for civil warfare to arise. Tribune power: full use of tribuneship bestowal of favors to masses= potential clients. Senatorial class often suspected tributes to use their power to get their way unfairly. Gracchis uses the tribute used it to force through reforms and decisions he thinks should occur. Italian allies: want more political rights (full citizenship). 70"s and 60"s: rivalry of pompey the great, crassus.