The Roman Gracchi Reforms: Land Crisis and Assassination

The Story of Italy: Rome, Renaissance, and the Birth of Modern Europe — Fexingo History · Jul 22, 2026 · 4m · transcript

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the social and economic turmoil of the late Roman Republic through the lens of the Gracchi brothers. They discuss the land crisis that followed the Punic Wars, the ambitious reforms of Tiberius Gracchus — including his use of the tribunician veto and illegal re-election — and his violent death at the hands of senators. The conversation then shifts to Gaius Gracchus, who expanded reforms with grain subsidies and judicial changes, leading to another assassination and a senatorial decree that set a precedent for political murder. The episode covers key…