The lower orders of the state being by these means reduced to a degree of hopeless subjection, instead of looking after liberty, only sought for a leader; while the rich, with all the suspicion of tyrants, terrified at the slightest appearance of opposition, entrusted men with uncontrollable power, from whom they had not strength to withdraw it when the danger was over. 22. Thus both parties of the state concurred in giving up their freedom; the fears of the senate first made the dictator, and the hatred of the people kept him in his office. Nothing can be more dreadful to a thinking mind than the government of Rome from this period, till it found refuge under the protection of Augus'tus.[1] _Questions for Examination_. 1. What appearances now threatened the life of Gracchus? 2. How did he commence hostilities? 3. How did Gracchus attempt to divert the storm? 4. Were his friends equally prudent? 5. What unhappy incident increased the animosity? 6. How was this insult revenged? 7. What was the consequence of this outrage? 8. What news did he hear on his arrival? 9. Did he attempt to conciliate his enemies, and were his attempts successful? 10. Was this offer accepted? 11. What was the conduct of the consul? 12. What was the fate of the chiefs? 13. Did Gracchus effect his escape? 14. Did he fall into the hands of his enemies? 15. What artifice did avarice contrive? 16.' Was the conduct of Gracchus deserving of praise or blame? 17. By what motives were the Gracchi supposed to be actuated? 18. What was the character of the senate at this period? 19. What was the character of their adherents? 20. What was the nature of their government? 31. What concurred to perpetuate this tyranny? FOOTNOTE: [1] From the death of Gracchus until the first consulship of Marius, Rome was governed by a venal and profligate oligarchy, formed from a coalition of the most powerful families. Shame was unknown to this body; the offices of state were openly sold to the highest bidder, redress of grievances was to be obtained only by paying a heavier sum for vengeance than the oppressor would give for impunity: advocacy of popular rights was punished as treason, and complaints were treated as criminal acts of sedition. The young patricians, under such a system, became the scourge of the state, for nothing remained safe from their violence or their lust, when the monopoly of judicial office by their friends and relatives insured them impunity for every excess, however flagrant or disgraceful. * * * * * CHAPTER XVIII. SECTION I. FROM THE SEDITION OF GRACCHUS TO THE PERPETUAL DICTATORSHIP OF SYLLA, WHICH WAS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE RUIN OF THE COMMONWEALTH.--U.C. 634. By brutal Marius, and keen Sylla, first Effused the deluge dire of civil blood, Unceasing woes began.--_Thomson_.