- Marcus Octavius
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Marcus Octavius (lived 2nd century BC) was a Roman tribune and a major rival of Tiberius Gracchus. A serious and discreet person, he earned himself a reputation as an influential orator. Though originally close friends, Octavius became alarmed by Gracchus's populist agenda and, at the behest of the Roman senate, repeatedly vetoed Gracchus' programmes of land reform. Gracchus responded by ultimately having the Plebeian Assembly deprive him of his office and eject him from the Assembly's meeting place in 133 BC[1]. This action led to a serious escalation in the confrontation between the traditionalists and the reformers.
Our primary source for him is Plutarch's life of Tiberius. According to Plutarch, Gaius Octavius was one of his descendants, thus making him an ancestor of Roman Emperor Augustus.
See also
- ^ Plutarch, The Life of Tiberius Gracchus . Loeb Classical Library edition, 1921
Categories:- Julio-Claudian Dynasty
- 2nd-century BC Romans
- Ancient Roman politician stubs
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