Social class and Gracchi Reforms

By

S.I Onwuka

“If a man were called upon to fix the period in the history of the world during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous, he would, without hesitation, name that which elapsed from the death of Domitian to the accession of Commodus.” Edward Gibbons.

Rome – by the description of Edward Gibbons was the Apex of expansion during the age of the two Antonine. This period is perhaps between Nerva and Pius Antonius and Hadrian finally forged the strategy for the empire and its military tactics.

Social Stratification rested on several principal categories which can be understood by George Dumezil trifunctional society that, (1) Priestly and Judicial class – headed by Pontiff (2) Warrior – the General, military, the adjutants and tax collectors, (3) Production Class - Servi and the Plebs, many of whom are working and some of whom are middle class men and women.

The historian’s description of the ‘best people’ politicians called optimate proved an object dissent, Assembly Grand Continuum and military assembly (Comitia centuriata). The Republic was constituted for the interest of Rome – particularly the poor among whom where the Plebs and proletariat who were raked into Roman territory following the displaced issues of their land.

People whose land was disposed due to war, were re-arranged by the Senate and Tribune, a practice which gained official status during Scipio Aemilianus whose account of C. Flaminius struggle with the Senate to have portions if not all of the lands of the defeated opponents transferred to Rome and distributed among the Senate, elder families and War Veteran.

Writing a dispatch in 232 B.C, “the Romans divided among their citizens the territory in Gaul known as Picenum, from which they had ejected the Senones whom they conquered them.” That “C. Flaminius was the originator of this popular policy which must pronounce to have been one may say, the step in the demoralization of the populace.”

The citation is derived from Polybius whose argument on the arrangement of Rome concerning the issue of land and attempt at Gracchi reforms cites the issues of three tie Roman society Alvin Bernstein (78) mentions that the problems of Greek East and that Cheilon who lost an office Lycurghas through the ephor was determined to push through land reform which some considered a threat to the Spartan oligarchy. 

The Land reform fetched Cheilon unexpected popularity among the public and it was considered public policy parallel to Cleomenes. It seem that Saturninius died in 100 B.C and the general assembly (Comitia tribute) had to resort to the use of military force which was only temporary in Rome – until Gaius Marius who brought permanent military troops into Rome under the administrative role of Sulla.

The virtue which Rome enjoyed later was a product of realistic thinking and experience, they pursued a lifestyle that has several divine versions, and especially the fate of many Roman was to die in Combat.
  

The virtue which Rome enjoyed later was a product of realistic thinking and experience, they pursued a lifestyle that has several divine versions, and especially the fate of many Roman was to die in Combat. They hat they enjoyed from war – mostly from war and from experience with combined practical experience especially the nature of violence and virtues of other forms was enhance by their involvement in the East of Africa and by Easterners who lived in Rome and who supported them.

Rome believed in gifts of divinity, in pure military power and a vision of Rome which the world was not ready to accept. They believed the existence of the gods was central to their existence, especially in Apollo and Jupiter who ruled the gates of Rome and who in human and spiritual form intervenes for Rome when provoked. That these forces like Aphrodite and the goddess of war exhibited their presence every so often.