2. Why did Tiberius Gracchus attract so much suspicion from the Roman Senate?
Tiberius was a rather impulsive, headstrong individual who didn't heed the rules and traditions of his elders. In fact, he blatantly disregarded them on many an occasion. First off, he insisted on ignoring the fact that one must have the approval of the Senate before passing a bill. He decided to go directly to the tribune, in order to ask permission. He wanted to change the land commission, which stated that land could only be owned by the wealthy. Tiberius's plan was to make property open to the poor as well. In this way more citizens could join the military and assist their country in war(it was illegal to join the army without being a landowner).
Although he might have gotten his bill approved, Tiberius ruined his chances by the methods he used. The senators were dismayed by his utter disobedience and refused to support it. Naturally he was furious when the bill passed and no one would fund it. Then the Persian Empire gifted Rome with some land and Tiberius went on to fund his own way with tax revenues! Of course this was also contrary to Rome's financial regulations and only generated a growing mistrust for him.
Tiberius's co-tribune, Marcus Octavius was affected by the Senate to veto the bill, which he consented to. In a fit of rage, Tiberious threatened to throw him out of the Senate if he didn't resign. This was another direct violation of rules and Octavious wouldn't listen to his tribune. This resulted in his eventual removal.As a final act of defiance, Tiberus ran for tribune again, which went against Rome's one-term policy.
He met a sad end and was eventually killed, going down in history as the first political figure to rebel against Roman tradition.
Good job! What a rebel :)
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