Gracchus, Gaius Sempronius

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Gracchus, Gaius Sempronius (c.153–c.121 bc) Roman statesman. As tribune (123–112 bc) he organized the social reforms of his brother Tiberius (d.133 bc). He sought to check the power of the Senate by uniting the plebeians and the equites, and by reforming agrarian laws to benefit the poor. These reforms were short-lived; he was defeated in the election of 121 bc, and killed during the riots that ensued.