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In revelings and Bacchic play；
but also in contentions and political animosities； a noble
nature and a temperate education stay and compose the mind。
Observing； however； that Octavius himself was an offender
against this law； and detained a great quantity of ground
from the commonalty； Tiberius desired him to forbear opposing
him any further； and proffered； for the public good； though
he himself had but an indifferent estate； to pay a price for
Octavius's share at his own cost and charges。 But upon the
refusal of this proffer by Octavius； he then interposed an
edict； prohibiting all magistrates to exercise their
respective functions； till such time as the law was either
ratified or rejected by public votes。 He further sealed up
the gates of Saturn's temple； so that the treasurers could
neither take any money out from thence； or put any in。 He
threatened to impose a severe fine upon those of the praetors
who presumed to disobey his commands； insomuch that all the
officers； for fear of this penalty； intermitted the exercise
of their several jurisdictions。 Upon this； the rich
proprietors put themselves into mourning； went up and down
melancholy and dejected； they entered also into a conspiracy
against Tiberius； and procured men to murder him； so that he
also； with all men's knowledge； whenever he went abroad； took
with him a sword…staff； such as robbers use； called in Latin
a dolo。
When the day appointed was come； and the people summoned to
give their votes； the rich men seized upon the voting urns；
and carried them away by force； thus all things were in
confusion。 But when Tiberius's party appeared strong enough
to oppose the contrary faction； and drew together in a body；
with the resolution to do so； Manlius and Fulvius； two of the
consular quality； threw themselves before Tiberius； took him
by the hand； and with tears in their eyes； begged of him to
desist。 Tiberius； considering the mischiefs that were all
but now occurring； and having a great respect for two such
eminent persons； demanded of them what they would advise him
to do。 They acknowledged themselves unfit to advise in a
matter of so great importance； but earnestly entreated him to
leave it to the determination of the senate。 But when the
senate assembled； and could not bring the business to any
result； through the prevalence of the rich faction； he then
was driven to a course neither legal nor fair； and proposed
to deprive Octavius of his tribuneship； it being impossible
for him in any other way to get the law brought to the vote。
At first he addressed him publicly； with entreaties couched
in the kindest terms； and taking him by his hands； besought
him； that now； in the presence of all the people； he would
take this opportunity to oblige them； in granting only that
request which was in itself so just and reasonable； being but
a small recompense in regard of those many dangers and
hardships which they had undergone for the public safety。
Octavius； however； would by no means be persuaded to
compliance； upon which Tiberius declared openly； that seeing
they two were united in the same office； and of equal
authority； it would be a difficult matter to compose their
difference on so weighty a matter without a civil war； and
that the only remedy which he knew； must be the deposing one
of them from their office。 He desired； therefore； that
Octavius would summon the people to pass their verdict upon
him first； averring that he would willingly relinquish his
authority if the citizens desired it。 Octavius refused； and
Tiberius then said he would himself put to the people the
question of Octavius's deposition； if upon mature
deliberation he did not alter his mind； and after this
declaration； he adjourned the assembly till the next day。
When the people were met together again； Tiberius placed
himself in the rostra； and endeavored a second time to
persuade Octavius。 But all being to no purpose； he referred
the whole matter to the people； calling on them to vote at
once； whether Octavius should be deposed or not； and when
seventeen of the thirty…five tribes had already voted against
him； and there wanted only the votes of one tribe more for
his final deprivation； Tiberius put a short stop to the
proceedings； and once more renewed his importunities； he
embraced and kissed him before all the assembly； begging；
with all the earnestness imaginable； that he would neither
suffer himself to incur the dishonor； nor him to be reputed
the author and promoter of so odious a measure。 Octavius； we
are told； did seem a little softened and moved with these
entreaties； his eyes filled with tears； and he continued
silent for a considerable time。 But presently looking
towards the rich men and proprietors of estates； who stood
gathered in a body together； partly for shame； and partly for
fear of disgracing himself with them； he boldly bade Tiberius
use any severity he pleased。 The law for his deprivation
being thus voted； Tiberius ordered one of his servants； whom
he had made a freeman； to remove Octavius from the rostra；
employing his own domestic freed servants in the stead of the
public officers。 And it made the action seem all the sadder；
that Octavius was dragged out in such an ignominious manner。
The people immediately assaulted him； whilst the rich men ran
in to his assistance。 Octavius； with some difficulty； was
snatched away； and safely conveyed out of the crowd； though a
trusty servant of his； who had placed himself in front of his
master that he might assist his escape； in keeping off the
multitude； had his eyes struck out； much to the displeasure
of Tiberius； who ran with all haste； when he perceived the
disturbance； to appease the rioters。
This being done； the law concerning the lands was ratified
and confirmed； and three commissioners were appointed； to
make a survey of the grounds and see the same equally
divided。 These were Tiberius himself； Claudius Appius； his
father…in…law； and his brother； Caius Gracchus； who at this
time was not at Rome； but in the army under the command of
Scipio Africanus before Numantia。 These things were
transacted by Tiberius without any disturbance； none daring
to offer any resistance to him； besides which； he gave the
appointment as tribune in Octavius's place； not to any person
of distinction； but to a certain Mucius； one of his own
clients。 The great men of the city were therefore utterly
offended； and； fearing lest he should grow yet more popular；
they took all opportunities of affronting him publicly in the
senate house。 For when he requested； as was usual； to have a
tent provided at the public charge for his use； while
dividing the lands； though it was a favor commonly granted to
persons employed in business of much less importance； it was
peremptorily refused to him； and the allowance made him for
his daily expenses was fixed to nine obols only。 The chief
promoter of thes