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Discuss the changing role and status of the equites and the tribunes in the period 133 – 78BCE.

Main body one: original role of equites
1. Horsemen of the phalanx, important role (blue book page 11)
2. Instituted by Romulus (smith)
3. wealthy middle class, no political power. Represented by tribunes( blue book page 11)
4. "It is only when Tiberius Gracchus comes in that the role of the equites that a chain reaction of reforms start to happen, forever changing their original role"
Quotes
1. The tribunes were in fact becoming an instrument of the senatorial oligarchy(Scullard)
tribunes
1. Main Body Two: Tiberius Gracchus
  1. "a single tribune, by excercising his right of veto, could bring the whole machinery of government to a stand still" (scullard)
    1. Tiberius abused his power, tribune was now a powerful position
    2. Now, the decisive power is in the hands of any tribune who interposes his veto(plutarch)
  2. re-election as tribune. Considered illegal. Outside governing precedent (excel hsc book)
    1. People such as Marius and Sulla became tribune twice. Held power for longer allowing them to complete goals.
  3. "The Grachhi showed the way that the tribunate could be used as an instrument for change. They had used it to undermine the traditional powers of the senate and revealed the potential for ambitious men to promote their own political career" (bradley)
  4. for it was thought that the high and honourable dignity of the tribunate, so carefully guarded up to that time, had been insulted and destroyed) (plutarch page 181)
2. Original role
  1. Safe guarded the interests of the people
  2. could veto the action of any elected official
  3. Immune from arrest or punishment. Sancrosanct
  4. Responsible directly to the concilium plebis
  5. The tribunate was never intended to bring about change (revolution), Bradley
Equites
1. Gaius
  1. "Gauis Gracchus greatly added to the power of the equites" (Scullard)

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Discuss the changing role and status of the equites and the tribunes in the period 133 – 78BCE.

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