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TIBERIUS GRACCHUS



Having completed the first two narratives; we now may proceed

to take a view of misfortunes; not less remarkable; in the

Roman couple; and with the lives of Agis and Cleomenes;

compare these of Tiberius and Caius。  They were the sons of

Tiberius Gracchus; who; though he had been once censor; twice

consul; and twice had triumphed; yet was more renowned and

esteemed for his virtue than his honors。  Upon this account;

after the death of Scipio who overthrew Hannibal; he was

thought worthy to match with his daughter Cornelia; though

there had been no friendship or familiarity between Scipio

and him; but rather the contrary。  There is a story told;

that he once found in his bedchamber a couple of snakes; and

that the soothsayers; being consulted concerning the prodigy;

advised; that he should neither kill them both nor let them

both escape; adding; that if the male serpent was killed;

Tiberius should die; and if the female; Cornelia。  And that;

therefore; Tiberius; who extremely loved his wife; and

thought; besides; that it was much more his part; who was an

old man; to die; than it was hers; who as yet was but a young

woman; killed the male serpent; and let the female escape;

and soon after himself died; leaving behind him twelve

children borne to him by Cornelia。



Cornelia; taking upon herself all the care of the household

and the education of her children; approved herself so

discreet a matron; so affectionate a mother; and so constant

and noble…spirited a widow; that Tiberius seemed to all men

to have done nothing unreasonable; in choosing to die for

such a woman; who; when king Ptolemy himself proffered her

his crown; and would have married her; refused it; and chose

rather to live a widow。  In this state she continued; and

lost all her children; except one daughter; who was married

to Scipio the younger; and two sons; Tiberius and Caius;

whose lives we are now writing。



These she brought up with such care; that though they were

without dispute in natural endowments and dispositions the

first among the Romans of their time; yet they seemed to owe

their virtues even more to their education than to their

birth。  And as; in the statues and pictures made of Castor

and Pollux; though the brothers resemble one another; yet

there is a difference to be perceived in their countenances;

between the one; who delighted in the cestus; and the other;

that was famous in the course; so between these two noble

youths; though there was a strong general likeness in their

common love of fortitude and temperance; in their liberality;

their eloquence; and their greatness of mind; yet in their

actions and administrations of public affairs; a considerable

variation showed itself。  It will not be amiss; before we

proceed; to mark the difference between them。



Tiberius; in the form and expression of his countenance; and

in his gesture and motion; was gentle and composed; but

Caius; earnest and vehement。  And so; in their public

speeches to the people; the one spoke in a quiet orderly

manner; standing throughout on the same spot; the other would

walk about on the hustings; and in the heat of his orations;

pull his gown off his shoulders; and was the first of all the

Romans that used such gestures; as Cleon is said to have been

the first orator among the Athenians that pulled off his

cloak and smote his thigh; when addressing the people。

Caius's oratory was impetuous and passionate; making

everything tell to the utmost; whereas Tiberius was gentle;

rather; and persuasive; awakening emotions of pity。  His

diction was pure; and carefully correct; while that of Caius

was vehement and rich。  So likewise in their way of living;

and at their tables; Tiberius was frugal and plain; Caius;

compared with other men temperate and even austere; but

contrasting with his brother in a fondness for new fashions

and rarities; as appears in Drusus's charge against him; that

he had bought some silver dolphins; to the value of twelve

hundred and fifty drachmas for every pound weight。



The same difference that appeared in their diction; was

observable also in their tempers。  The one was mild and

reasonable; the other rough and passionate; and to that

degree; that often; in the midst of speaking; he was so

hurried away by his passion; against his judgment; that his

voice lost its tone; and he began to pass into mere abusive

talking; spoiling his whole speech。  As a remedy to this

excess; he made use of an ingenious servant of his; one

Licinius; who stood constantly behind him with a sort of

pitch…pipe; or instrument to regulate the voice by; and

whenever he perceived his master's tone alter; and break with

anger; he struck a soft note with his pipe; on hearing which;

Caius immediately checked the vehemence of his passion and

his voice; grew quieter; and allowed himself to be recalled

to temper。  Such are the differences between the two

brothers; but their valor in war against their country's

enemies; their justice in the government of its subjects;

their care and industry in office; and their self…command in

all that regarded their pleasures were equally remarkable in

both。



Tiberius was the elder by nine years; owing to which their

actions as public men were divided by the difference of the

times in which those of the one and those of the other were

performed。  And one of the principal causes of the failure of

their enterprises was this interval between their careers;

and the want of combination of their efforts。  The power they

would have exercised; had they flourished both together;

could scarcely have failed to overcome all resistance。  We

must therefore give an account of each of them singly; and

first of the eldest。



Tiberius; immediately on his attaining manhood; had such a

reputation; that he was admitted into the college of the

augurs; and that in consideration more of his early virtue

than of his noble birth。  This appeared by what Appius

Claudius did; who; though he had been consul and censor; and

was now the head of the Roman senate; and had the highest

sense of his own place and merit; at a public feast of the

augurs; addressed himself openly to Tiberius; and with great

expressions of kindness; offered him his daughter in

marriage。  And when Tiberius gladly accepted; and the

agreement had thus been completed; Appius; returning home; no

sooner had reached his door; but he called to his wife and

cried out in a loud voice; 〃O Antistia; I have contracted our

daughter Claudia to a husband。〃  She; being amazed; answered;

〃But why so suddenly; or what means this haste? Unless you

have provided Tiberius Gracchus for her husband。〃  I am not

ignorant that some apply this story to Tiberius; the father

of the Gracchi; and Scipio Africanus; but most relate it as

we have done。  And Polybius writes; that after the death of

Scipio Africanus; the nearest relations of Cornelia;

preferring Tiberius to all other competitors; gave her to him

in marriage; not having been engaged or promised to anyone

by her father。



This young Tiberius; accordingly; serving in Africa under the

younger Scipio; who had married his sister; and living there

under the same tent with him; soon learned to estimate the

noble spirit of his commander; which was so fit to inspire

strong feelings of emulation in virtue and desire to prove

merit in action; and in a short time he excelled all the

young men of the army in obedience and courage; and he was

the first that mounted the enemy's wall; as Fannius says; who

writes; that he himself climbed up with him; and was partaker

in the achievement。  He was regarded; while he continued with

the army; with great affection; and left behind him on his

departure a strong desire for his return。



After that expedition; being chosen paymaster; it was his

fortune to serve in the war against the Numantines; under the

command of Caius Mancinus; the consul; a person of no bad

character; but the most unfortunate of all the Roman

generals。  Notwithstanding; amidst the greatest misfortunes;

and in the most unsuccessful enterprises; not only the

discretion and valor of Tiberius; but also; which was still

more to be admired; the great respect and honor which he

showed for his general; were most eminently remarkable;

though the general himself; when reduced to straits; forgot

his own dignity and office。  For being beaten in various

great battles; he endeavored to dislodge by night; and leave

his camp; which the Numantines perceiving; immediately

possessed themselves of his camp; and pursuing that part of

the forces which was in flight; slew those that were in the

rear; hedged the whole army in on every side; and forced them

into difficult ground; whence there could be no possibility

of an escape。  Mancinus; despairing to make his way through

by force; sent a messenger to desire a truce; and conditio

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