The following is an encore presentation of Everything Everywhere Daily.

During the Roman Republic, two brothers took it upon themselves to seek to change Rome to benefit the poor and underclass.

Needless to say, the Roman elites did not like this and did everything in their power to ensure

it didn't happen.

And the elites were successful.

But in the process, they changed Roman history forever and put the Republic on a path to destruction.

Learn more about the Graki brothers and how they tried to change Roman society on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Tiberius and Gaius were born to a very prestigious Roman family. Their father, Tiberia Sceemprongius

Grakus, had an impeccable resume for a Roman. He was a general awarded two triumphs,

the highest honor you can bestow a Roman general. As a politician he served as a

Praetor, Governor of Hispania, and Censor, and he was elected Consul the highest position in the

Roman Republic twice.

Unlike other men elected as Consul, he also served as the Tribune of the Plebs, which was a very high

position in its own right, and he was able to do this because he was a Publion, not a patrician. The distinction between

publions and patricians has everything to do with who your ancestors were

when the republic was founded. The 100 men selected as the first Roman

senators were the basis of the patrician class.

Clearly as the elder Grokis proved you could advance pretty far as a Publian.

Having consoles in your family, especially your father, was a very big deal in Rome.

The elder Tiberius was 30 years older than his wife and died when his children were still quite

young.

The mother of the two brothers was a woman by the name of Cornelia who was the daughter of Skipio Africanus.

Women are often overlooked in Roman history, but Cornelia gets special mention.

...