Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/187

Rh administration usually pertaining to the censors, consuls, and senate: he secured the passage of a law, or provision, authorizing the agrarian commissioners to construct roads.

Gaius Gracchus as Administrator. — During the two years 123-122, Gracchus showed himself an administrator of great ability, as well as a legislator. In the capacity of commissioner (curator), he superintended the execution of the law regarding the distribution of grain, he built magazines (horrea Sempronia), selected jurymen, enrolled colonists, constructed roads, led discussions in the senate, and practically chose one of the consuls of 122. In brief, he displayed marvelous energy and versatility, concentrated the most varied, extensive, and conspicuous functions of government in his own person, and was the foremost man and the controlling power in the state.

III. The Reaction and the Overthrow of Gaius Gracchus.

The Opposition to Gaius Gracchus. — The weakness and danger of Gaius Gracchus lay in the fact that he was absolutely dependent on a fickle and corrupt multitude, and was every year obliged to appeal to them for reëlection. He had from the first been an object of fear to the aristocratic party, and met with opposition at his first election to the tribunate. His law concerning the distribution of grain made him very popular, and he was reëlected without any difficulty. He had succeeded so far, though his chief constitutional measure, the law respecting jurymen, was carried by only a small majority. He had, however, not been able, or had neglected, to secure the election of nine democratic colleagues for 122; and the aristocratic opposition continued. In fact, the most experienced and shrewdest of his opponents had been planning, and were now ready for, a decisive contest.