The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 05 : $b the Roman Republic
History
The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 05 : $b the Roman Republic
World history
the year 143 it is now subdued after fifteen months’ close investment.
Its fall signalises the subjection of northern Spain to Rome. 135-132.
First Servile War in Sicily. The slave Eunus leads an insurrection of
the slaves and assumes the title of King Antiochus. A regular government
is established, and in the war with Rome which follows the rebels are
at first successful. When finally subdued they are punished by numerous
executions. The consul Rupilius reorganises the administration of Sicily.
REFORMS OF THE GRACCHI (138-111 B.C.)
133. Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus elected tribune. He proposes the
resumption of “common lands” held by unauthorised persons and the revival
of the Licinian law limiting the amount of such land to be occupied by
one individual. By this means he hoped to mitigate the evils resulting
from the concentration of these estates in the possession of a few
persons. Tiberius obtains the illegal removal from office of the tribune
Caius Octavius, who had vetoed the passing of the new (Sempronian) law,
and that law is then passed by the popular assembly. Tiberius Gracchus,
his brother Caius, and his father-in-law Appius Claudius appointed to
carry out the decree. Attalus III king of Pergamus dies, making the
Romans his heirs. Tiberius Gracchus proposes that the money shall be
employed to start the new settlers on the resumed lands and that the
kingdom of Attalus (the new province of Asia) shall be governed by
the people instead of by the senate, who were legally entitled to the
disposal of both land and money. Tiberius prepares other reforms, and
in order to preserve and continue his work becomes a candidate for
re-election as tribune, in defiance of the law forbidding re-election.
He opposes the aristocratic resistance by force and is killed with
many of his adherents in the ensuing riot. 131. C. Carbo, the tribune,
obtains a law permitting secret voting for the ratification of laws by
the popular vote. Scipio Africanus Minor obtains the defeat of Carbo’s
measure to legalise the re-election of tribunes. 129. Aristonicus, a
natural son of Attalus III of Pergamus, executed for making war against
the Romans in assertion of his rights to his father’s kingdom. C. Carbo,
Gracchus, and Marcus Fulvius Flaccus triumvirs for the execution of the
Sempronian law; Scipio contrives to obtain a limitation of their powers,
which virtually suspends the law. 125. Fulvius Flavius becomes consul. He
raises the question of admitting the Latins to the Roman citizenship, and
is then sent to Transalpine Gaul to aid the Massiliots against the Gauls.
Fregellæ revolts against the Romans and is destroyed. 124. Aquæ Sextiæ
(Aix) founded in Gaul. 123. Caius Gracchus clears himself from the charge
of instigating the revolt of Fregellæ. He succeeds in driving into exile
Popilius Lænas, the survivor of the consuls of 132. Finding himself
confronted by a powerful opposition, Caius endeavours to conciliate the
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