The life AND death of Tiberius Gracchus - Essay Example

Tiberius began his military carrier during the Third Punic war when he was appointed in a military tribune attached to Scipio Aemilianus (his brother in law) staff. The period he served under Aemilianus as a military tribune built his status making him popular, thanks to his bravery and discipline. He is remembered as the first of his kind to scale the enemy walls. His outstanding performance earned him another significant appointment in 137 BC as the questor to consul Gaius Hostilius Mancinus.

This position saw him serve in Numantia , a region found in the Hispania province. Here, he was among the army that took part in the botched Numantine that saw mancinus army suffer major defeats. During this war Mancinus made an unwise decision of withdrawing his army at night causing not only the defeat but also loss of their possession as their camp was looted. Seeing the danger that lingered, particularly on the army, Tiberius took advantage of his position as quaestor to sign a peace treaty with the Numantines against the general requirement that required a legate to complete the signing.

During the negotiation, Tiberius revisited the adventures of Tiberiu Elder (the father), who equally fought in Spain but negotiated a peace accord with (Numantines, 24). This move caused him be regarded highly by the Numantines so much that when they discovered their army had taken his ledger in the process of despoiling the Roman camp, they made arrangement to have him get it back. Such is the case that they invited him in person, throwing a banquet in his honor and allowed him not only to recover his ledger but also take any other thing he wished to have from the spoils.

Tiberius integrity could not permit him to do as they asked but instead he took back his ledger and only accepted some incense used for sacrificial rituals. There was so much frenzy in Rome on account of this