ountered were slaves from barbarian countries. He left a city
already on the way to forgetting the agricultural foundation of
its strength. A new economy based upon money, foreign booty,
cheap imports and skilful slaves were all signs that the Romans
were embarking upon a new and feverish pursuit of wealth and
Later, Cowell suggests that Tiberius Gracchus was also personally ambitious, but the form his program took was what became known as the Sempronian Law.9 Cowell cites Appian as saying this was merely a revival of the Licinian laws.10 Plutarch does not characterize the program as a revival, but he does note that it was put forward in concert with other reformers. Further, he shows that Tiberius Gracchus was at pains to compensate affected patricians for reclaimed lands:
Never did any law appear more moderate and gentle, especially
being enacted against such great oppression and avarice. For they
who ought to have been severely punished for transgressing the
...