In Our Time
The Gracchi
May 1, 2025
Join Kathryn Tempest, a Roman history lecturer, Catherine Steel, a classics professor, and Federico Santangelo, an ancient history expert, as they dive into the tumultuous lives of Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus. They discuss Tiberius's radical land reforms and Gaius's initiatives for cheap grain and anti-corruption efforts. The brothers’ tragic fates at the hands of the elite reveal the intense political strife in Rome, leading to questions of power, justice, and the rise of imperial rule from the ashes of a shattered republic.
49:09
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Tiberius Gracchus introduced land reforms to support disenfranchised soldiers, aiming to revive the citizen-farmer ideal crucial for Rome's military.
- Gaius Gracchus expanded his brother's reform agenda by introducing subsidized grain prices and seeking accountability from the Senate, ultimately leading to political violence.
Deep dives
Historical Context of the Gracchi Brothers
In the late 2nd century BC, the Roman Republic was under significant strain as it expanded its reach, demonstrated by the destruction of Carthage. During this period, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus emerged as pivotal figures advocating for reforms aimed at tackling social injustices. Tiberius introduced land reforms to ensure that disenfranchised soldiers, who were also citizens, could own land. The need for such reforms stemmed from an alarming depletion of peasant farmers, threatening the traditional military structure of Rome, where citizen-soldiers were critical to its defense.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
