按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
richer； and was of great assistance to the poorer people； who
retained under it their respective proportions of ground； as
they had been formerly rented by them。 Afterwards the rich
men of the neighborhood contrived to get these lands again
into their possession； under other people's names； and at
last would not stick to claim most of them publicly in their
own。 The poor； who were thus deprived of their farms； were
no longer either ready； as they had formerly been； to serve
in war； or careful in the education of their children；
insomuch that in a short time there were comparatively few
freemen remaining in all Italy； which swarmed with workhouses
full of foreign…born slaves。 These the rich men employed in
cultivating their ground； of which they dispossessed the
citizens。 Caius Laelius； the intimate friend of Scipio；
undertook to reform this abuse； but meeting with opposition
from men of authority； and fearing a disturbance； he soon
desisted； and received the name of the Wise or the Prudent；
both which meanings belong to the Latin word Sapiens。
But Tiberius； being elected tribune of the people； entered
upon that design without delay； at the instigation； as is
most commonly stated； of Diophanes； the rhetorician； and
Blossius； the philosopher。 Diophanes was a refugee from
Mitylene； the other was an Italian； of the city of Cuma； and
was educated there under Antipater of Tarsus； who afterwards
did him the honor to dedicate some of his philosophical
lectures to him。 Some have also charged Cornelia； the mother
of Tiberius； with contributing towards it； because she
frequently upbraided her sons； that the Romans as yet rather
called her the daughter of Scipio； than the mother of the
Gracchi。 Others again say Spurius Postumius was the chief
occasion。 He was a man of the same age with Tiberius； and
his rival for reputation as a public speaker； and when
Tiberius； at his return from the campaign； found him to have
got far beyond him in fame and influence； and to be much
looked up to； he thought to outdo him； by attempting a
popular enterprise of this difficulty； and of such great
consequence。 But his brother Caius has left it us in
writing； that when Tiberius went through Tuscany to Numantia；
and found the country almost depopulated； there being hardly
any free husbandmen or shepherds； but for the most part only
barbarian； imported slaves； he then first conceived the
course of policy which in the sequel proved so fatal to his
family。 Though it is also most certain that the people
themselves chiefly excited his zeal and determination in the
prosecution of it； by setting up writings upon the porches；
walls； and monuments； calling upon him to reinstate the poor
citizens in their former possessions。
However； he did not draw up his law without the advice and
assistance of those citizens that were then most eminent for
their virtue and authority； amongst whom were Crassus； the
high…priest； Mucius Scaevola； the lawyer； who at that time
was consul； and Claudius Appius； his father…in…law。 Never
did any law appear more moderate and gentle； especially being
enacted against such great oppression and avarice。 For they
who ought to have been severely punished for transgressing
the former laws； and should at least have lost all their
titles to such lands which they had unjustly usurped； were
notwithstanding to receive a price for quitting their
unlawful claims； and giving up their lands to those fit
owners who stood in need of help。 But though this
reformation was managed with so much tenderness； that； all
the former transactions being passed over； the people were
only thankful to prevent abuses of the like nature for the
future； yet； on the other hand； the moneyed men； and those of
great estates were exasperated； through their covetous
feelings against the law itself； and against the law giver；
through anger and party spirit。 They therefore endeavored to
seduce the people； declaring that Tiberius was designing a
general redivision of lands； to overthrow the government； and
put all things into confusion。
But they had no success。 For Tiberius； maintaining an
honorable and just cause； and possessed of eloquence
sufficient to have made a less creditable action appear
plausible； was no safe or easy antagonist； when； with the
people crowding around the hustings； he took his place； and
spoke in behalf of the poor。 〃The savage beasts；〃 said he；
〃in Italy； have their particular dens； they have their places
of repose and refuge； but the men who bear arms； and expose
their lives for the safety of their country； enjoy in the
meantime nothing more in it but the air and light； and
having no houses or settlements of their own； are constrained
to wander from place to place with their wives and children。〃
He told them that the commanders were guilty of a ridiculous
error； when； at the head of their armies； they exhorted the
common soldiers to fight for their sepulchres and altars；
when not any amongst so many Romans is possessed of either
altar or monument； neither have they any houses of their own；
or hearths of their ancestors to defend。 They fought indeed；
and were slain； but it was to maintain the luxury and the
wealth of other men。 They were styled the masters of the
world； but in the meantime had not one foot of ground which
they could call their own。 A harangue of this nature；
spoken to an enthusiastic and sympathizing audience； by a
person of commanding spirit and genuine feeling； no
adversaries at that time were competent to oppose。
Forbearing； therefore； all discussion and debate； they
addressed themselves to Marcus Octavius； his fellow…tribune；
who； being a young man of a steady； orderly character； and an
intimate friend of Tiberius； upon this account declined at
first the task of opposing him； but at length； over…persuaded
with the repeated importunities of numerous considerable
persons； he was prevailed upon to do so； and hindered the
passing of the law； it being the rule that any tribune has a
power to hinder an act； and that all the rest can effect
nothing； if only one of them dissents。 Tiberius； irritated
at these proceedings； presently laid aside this milder bill；
but at the same time preferred another； which； as it was more
grateful to the common people； so it was much more severe
against the wrongdoers； commanding them to make an immediate
surrender of all lands which； contrary to former laws； had
come into their possession。 Hence there arose daily
contentions between him and Octavius in their orations。
However； though they expressed themselves with the utmost
heat and determination； they yet were never known to descend
to any personal reproaches； or in their passion to let slip
any indecent expressions； so as to derogate from one another。
For not alone
In revelings and Bacchic play；
but also in contentions and political animosities； a noble
nature and a temp