Tiberius Gracchus, 163- 133 BCE, was a member of the nobiles. He was concerned with the shortage of military recruits, and attempted to create some reforms to improve the situation in Rome. Tiberius believed that the primary problems in Rome stemmed from the demise of the family farm, so he …

The latifundia were enormous farms administered by wealthy landed aristocrats. The latifundia were known for their wide use of slaves. The latifundia resulted in agricultural intensification as the wealthy landowners bought poor peasant farms. The latifundia primarily produced olives, wine, and sheep. Since Rome primarily conscripted military service from landowners …

A select group of wealthy and powerful families who tended to occupy the more important political offices, 133 BCE. Interestingly, nobiles consisted of both patricians and plebians showing the significant influence of wealth on the Roman power structure. The nobiles demonstrated the central power and control of as few as …

246- 183 BCE - Hannibal Barca was a Carthaginian general who was sworn to hatred of Rome by his father, Hamilcar Barca. Hannibal lead Carthage in several successful battles against Rome in the Punic Wars. Hannibal marched across the Alps with a significant army built of Spanish natives, however there were …

234 - 149 BCE- Cato the Elder was a Roman praetor, and consul who became a censor, or census taker, in 184 BCE. Cato was against the Roman movement to incorporate Greek culture and education. Cato famously claimed that it was cheaper to work slaves to death, rather than treat them …

451 BCE- Plebian pressure to codify Roman law lead to a commission which created a set of twelve laws known as the "Twelve Tables." The "Twelve Tables" restricted the influence of upper-classes and helped minimize arbitrary authority and tyranny. The Twelve Tables cover many aspects of Roman society including family …