Gracchus, Gaius
Gracchus, Gaius (Gaius Sempronius Gracchus),younger brother of Tiberius Gracchus (see next entry), served under his cousin and brother-in-law Scipio Aemilianus at Numantia. A member of his brother's land commission, he supported the plans of Marcus Fulvius Flaccus in 126 BC, then went to Sardinia as quaestor. Returning before his commander in 124, he was accused before the censors but acquitted, and elected tribune for 123 and again for 122, when he was joined by Flaccus, by then consularis and triumphalis (i.e. having been consul and having celebrated a triumph). After laws meant to avenge his brother and secure himself against a similar fate, he embarked on a programme of reform, aided by friendly colleagues. The most important measures were:
(1) a lex frumentaria (corn law) assuring citizens of wheat, normally at a subsidized price;
(2) laws providing for the...
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