#Future conditions.#
1. Cornelia, the mother of the Gracchi, was the daughter of Scipio
Africanus. 2. She had been educated with such care herself that she was
able to train her sons wisely. 3. She told a Campanian woman, who was a
guest at her house, that she[1] too had some very beautiful jewels. 4.
Everybody knows that Cornelia's jewels were her sons. 5. She has justly
been considered one of the wisest women of that age. 6. Though her sons
were most worthy of their excellent mother, yet the nobles thought that
they were disturbing the republic. 7. Both of the Gracchi thought more
of [preferred] their country's safety than [to] their own lives. 8.
Tiberius tried to protect the common people, but the senate thought that
he was preparing for himself a way to regal power. 9. So Nasica urged[2]
all loyal citizens to follow him. 10. When Gracchus saw that the
senators were rushing upon him he fled, but was killed by a broken piece
of a bench. 11. Caius had the same[3] love for the common people as[3]
his brother. 12. All loyal citizens said that they opposed his plans
because they wanted the republic to be safe. 13. "If the law about
distributing grain to the common people is[4] passed," said Piso,
"I shall come with the others to get the grain." 14. Finally this was
decreed by the senate: "Let the consul see that the republic receive no
harm." 15. Some say that Gracchus armed his household and took
possession of the Aventine. 16. When he was put to flight he ordered his
slave to kill him that he might not be arrested. 17. Such was the fate
of the Gracchi, the jewels of Cornelia, the best sons of the Roman
republic.
[Footnotes:
1: Use dat. of poss.
2: Cf. Ex. XX, sent. 2, and note.
3: Cf. #îdem quî#, l. 31.
4: See XVII, l. 10, and note.]