Sample introduction to an essay response (Tiberius Gracchus)

Essay question: Assess the methods of Tiberius Gracchus as Tribune of the Plebs.  

Introduction:

Tiberius Gracchus’ tribunate has been commonly associated with the beginning of the downfall of the Roman republic.  Cicero charged him with acting out of invidia towards the senate and destroying the harmony of the republic.  This judgment has been echoed by subsequent modern historians like RE Smith who argued that Rome might have had a happier outcome if Tiberius Gracchus had chosen different methods to achieve his goals, Mommsen, who saw in Tiberius Gracchus a tribune driven by altruistic ideals but whose methods were radical and dangerous.  However, the case against Tiberius Gracchus’ methods rest upon ignoring the contributions by those who opposed Tiberius Gracchus towards the crisis that faced Rome, leading to unfair accusation of Tiberius Gracchus’ methods being the cause of the downfall of the republic.   This paper will set out to assess Tiberius Gracchus’ methods used in passing, implementing and defending his land reform bill in the light of the opposition that confronts Tiberius Gracchus.

Powerpoint summaries that cover both Tiberius Gracchus and the Roman revolution topics

A bit early, but I might as well.  Note that some of the PowerPoint summaries go well beyond the limit of the Roman revolution topic.  I.e. it goes into Pompey/Caesar and the Triumvirates.  Nonetheless, they are useful for introduction and brief summaries.  You still need to develop notes on ancient and modern sources though.

• Civil War in Rome and the End of the Roman Republic
• From Republic to Empire

Past essay question on Tiberius Gracchus – 2011, part (b)

(b) Discuss the reasons for the reforms of Tiberius Gracchus.  (15 marks)

The question implicitly asks you to give an analysis of the different theories regarding the reasons for Tiberius Gracchus’ reforms.  I have included the marking criteria for this question to help you along.  (Note I cropped out the marking criteria for Band 1 and 2, since those should be irrelevant to us.)

 

John Briscoe’s analysis of supporters and opponents of Tiberius Gracchus

Click on this link to a journal article by John Briscoe, in which he analyses the nature of support and opposition to Tiberius Gracchus’ land reform programme.

Practice essay on the background and early career of Tiberius Gracchus

This is from the 2008 HSC Ancient History exam.  The practice essay question is worth 10 marks.  Go through your notes, and have a go at it.  Preferably, write it up within time limit rather than type it out.  I will post a sample response later on this website.

(a) Describe the family background and early career of Tiberius Gracchs to 133BC.   (10 marks)

Note from the 2008 HSC exam markers:

• Students need to avoid prepared answers.  Instead you should interpret the questions caefully to ensure you have addressed the specific requirements of the question asked.
• Naming sources is not enough.  Students should integrate sources to support their responses.  Do not simply refer to “some historians”.  Including relevant sources is critical in Question a.
• Better responses should include a range of sources. 
• Average length of a higher band response should be around two pages of average sized handwriting.

Rome during Tiberius Gracchus

This is a link to a PowerPoint slide I prepared to guide my lesson on the Roman world during the time of tribune Tiberius Gracchus.

Students of Tiberius Gracchus are encouraged to use the PowerPoint as a guide to prepare notes.