Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/201

THE LAWS OF DRUSUS 187 safety of almost every senator was at stake, with the exception of such eminent men as Scaevola himself, and that the controlling power, at least in the provincial administration, now resided in the equestrian courts. But the administration of the provinces was the chief foundation of the senatorial government, the main buttress of the oligarchy. If, therefore, the government was to be able permanently to maintain itself, it was necessary for the nobles to regain control of the courts.

The Laws of Marcus Livius Drusus. — An attempt to abolish or modify the equestrian courts was likely to succeed at the present turn of affairs. Marcus Livius Drusus, the son of the tribune who was chiefly instrumental in the overthrow of Gains Gracchus (pp. 174-175), came forward as the champion of reform. He was a young man of excellent character and high culture, he belonged to the highest nobility, and was very rich. In many respects he resembled Gracchus, but his chief aim was entirely different While Gracchus had endeavored to overturn the government of the oligarchy, Drusus sought to strengthen and consolidate it. In his tribunate in 91 he proposed that three hundred knights be admitted to the senate, and that henceforth only senators act as jurors; a special provision was intended to facilitate the prosecution of jurors that had received bribes. Hitherto the equestrian jurymen had practically enjoyed immunity from prosecution, because the popular assemblies formed such cumbrous courts. This bill was intended to conciliate the best, or most conservative, elements of the equestrian class and to insure the future supremacy of the oligarchy. To overcome the violent opposition which might be expected, Drusus tried to win the support of the urban multitude by proposing other bills. These provided that a number of colonies be established in Italy and Sicily — a renewal of the proposal of his father in 122 — and that