and slaves, and that Gracchus gave the signal then.  As Appian agrees with Plutarch in his account of Nasica’s conduct in the Senate, the last is the more probable version of what occurred.  Nasica called on Scaevola to put down the tyrant.  Scaevola replied that he would not be the first to use force.  Then Nasica, calling on the senators to follow him, mounted the Capitol to a position above that of Gracchus.  Arming themselves with clubs and legs of benches, his followers charged down and dispersed the crowd.  Gracchus stumbled over some prostrate bodies, and was slain either by a blow from P. Satyreius, a fellow-tribune, or from L. Rufus, for both claimed the distinction.  So died a genuine patriot and martyr; and so foul a murder fitly heralded the long years of bloodshed and violence which were in store for the country which he died to save.

* * * * *

CHAPTER III.

CAIUS GRACCHUS.

[Sidenote:  Revenge of the aristocracy.] Over three hundred of the people were killed and thrown into the Tiber, and the aristocracy followed up their triumph as harshly as they dared.  They banished some, and slew others of the tribune’s partisans.  Plutarch says that they fastened up one in a chest with vipers.  When Blossius was brought before his judges he avowed that he would have burned the Capitol if Gracchus had told him to do it, so confident was he in his leader’s patriotism—­an answer testifying not only to the nobleness of the two friends, but to the strong character of one of them.  Philosophers are not so impressed by weak, impulsive men.  Blossius was spared, probably because he had connexions with some of the nobles rather than because his reply inspired respect.  But while the aristocracy was making war on individuals, the work of the dead man went on, as if even from the grave he was destined to bring into sharper relief the pettiness of their projects by the grandeur of his own.

[Sidenote:  The law of Gracchus remains in force.] The allotment of land was vigorously carried out; and when Appius Claudius and Mucianus died, the commissioners were partisans of Tiberius—­his brother Caius, M. Fulvius Flaccus, and C. Papirius Carbo. [Sidenote:  Its beneficial effects.] In the year 125, instead of another decrease in the able-bodied population, we find an increase of nearly 80,000.  It seems probable that this increase was solely in consequence of what the allotment commissioners did for the Roman burgesses.  Nor, if the Proletarii and Capite Censi were not included in the register of those classed for military service, is the increase remarkable, for it would be to members of those classes that the allotments would be chiefly assigned.  Moreover, the poor whom the rich expelled from their lands did not give in their names to the censors, and did not attend to the education of their children.  These men would, on receiving allotments, enrol themselves.  The