Marcus Livius Drusus, the plebeian tribune, [Y. R. 661. B. C. 91,] in
order the more effectually to support the senate in their pretensions,
gained the concurrence of the allies, and the Italian states, by
promising them the freedom of the city. Aided by them, besides the
Agrarian and corn laws, he carried that also relative to criminal
jurisdiction;—that in capital prosecutions the senate should have equal
authority with the equestrian order. It was afterwards found that the
freedom which he had promised could not be conferred upon them; which
incensed and incited them to revolt. An account is given of their
assembling,—their combinations and speeches made at their meetings, by
the chief men among them. Drusus becoming obnoxious even to the senate,
on account of his conduct in this affair, and being considered as the
cause of the social war, was slain in his own house, by an unknown hand.