Gracchi Brothers

The Gracchi Brothers were politicians who represented the plebs, or commoners, in the Roman government. They were also members of the Populares, a group of progressive activists interested in land reforms to benefit the poor. Some historians describe the Gracchi as the "founding fathers" of socialism and populism. At the time, much public land in Rome had been divided up and given to wealthy Senators, leaving the peasants with no place to farm (the Senators primarily used slave labor). The Gracchi Brothers advocated for land reform (taking land from the richest Romans and giving it to the poorest Romans.) They also advocated for Roman Government to give grain to its poorest citizens. Their ideas were popular and gained significant support, but their opponents, the wealthiest Romans in the Senate were able to block their proposals from having a true impact on the impoverished Romans. In 133 BCE, Tiberius the older brother, along with hundreds of his followers, were murdered on the Senate floor after proposing land reform. 10 years later, his younger brother, Gaius, began similar political efforts to help the poor, but committed suicide instead of facing a rigged trial put on by the Roman Senate that would have assuredly resulted in his execution. The legacy of the Gracchi Brothers has inspired people around the world to advocate for social and economic equality.