Gracchus

CAIUS SEMPRONIUS, (grākkūs,) a Roman orator and statesman, B. 159 B. c., became quæstor in 126, and tribune 3years later. These offices he filled with high ability and probity; he caused the establishment of good laws, and fostered the development of commerce and the arts. One of his laws decreed the transference of the judiciary power from the senate to the equestrian order. Reëlected tribuno in 122, he incurred the opposition of the senate, and perished in a ma acre organized by Opimius, his enemy, 121.TIBERIUS SEMPRONIUS, B. 168, was a brother of the preceding, and after succe ful military service in Africa, was made quæston, in 137, and tribune in 134. His pro- | jected distribution of the public lands having excited the animosity of the patrician order, G. during his second candidacy for the office of tribune was attacked by the aristocrats led by Scipio Nasica, and perished with several hundreds of his adherents, in 133. See CORNEL I A. [s. 417]