November 13, 2021
Tiberius Gracchus, Paul Rudd
The fall of the Roman Republic has long been a source of historical fascination, with historians and politicians alike referring to this chapter in history when analyzing modern political landscapes.
The last Roman monarch was Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, known informally as Tarquin the Proud. In 509 BC, Tarquin was expelled from Rome because his son raped a noblewoman named Lucretia who later took her own life. After this incident, the Senate agreed to abolish royalty and establish the Republic, which went on to last nearly 500 years. There are many reasons attributed to the decline and eventual demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Caesars, starting with Gaius Julius. Despite its successes and the vast wealth generated by the conquests of Carthage, Spain, Macedonia and Greece, all was not well with the Roman Republic by the second century BCE. Corruption of the Senators and governing bodies was near complete. Rome grunted under the weight of its popularity, its population growing far beyond its capacity to absorb it. The vast conquests of Rome meant an immense influx of slaves who took the jobs that would have otherwise been performed by Roman citizens. Simultaneously, the slaves rebelled, led by the likes of Spartacus, a gladiator who ravaged the Republic.
A lot of reasons are attributed to the demise of democracy in Rome. There is perhaps none more significant than the rise of violence in Roman politics led by the Gracchus brothers.
There was always an unstated rule, perhaps even a formal protocol among politicians, in the Roman Republic that there would be no violent consequences to political participation. In the days of monarchy, picking the wrong horse meant certain death of oneself and family members. Once the new order emerged, the old one would be purged mercilessly. The costs of political participation were high in monarchies. The Roman Republic ushered in an era in which power was transferred peacefully without dire consequences to the losers. By the second century BCE, Tiberius Gracchus had changed that very crucial and foundational rule.
A Tribune who championed land reform, Tiberius became known as a politician who did not hesitate to intimidate his opponents with the threat of violence, if not actual violence. He deployed mobs who would stand at a distance from a rival politician’s house as a reminder that retribution was at hand if they stepped out of bounds. As this culture of violence grew, qualified Romans withdrew from politics. Citizens grew cynical. The conditions thus became ripe for a certain Julius to cross the Tiber and declare himself Caesar.
In 2021, in the United States of America, violent threats against lawmakers are on track to double this year. Polling indicates that 30 percent of Republicans believe that “true patriots” may have to resort to violence to “save” the country. Such views are often intertwined with white racial resentment and evangelical Christian fundamentalism - the twin sources of fuel for the GOP these days. The most animated Republican voters see themselves as participants in some kind of a holy war to preserve their place in society and their idea of American culture. Notably, few Republican leaders are speaking out against this culture of violence. In fact, some are egging it on.
Representative Paul Gosar from Arizona tweeted out a video altered to show him beheading Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, a Democrat, and then swinging swords at President Biden. Republican leaders in Congress, McConnell and McCarthy, have refused to comment on Gosar’s actions. McCarthy in fact has joked about hitting Nancy Pelosi over the head with the gavel if he became speaker. For his part, Gosar suggests critics are being thin-skinned. “It is a symbolic cartoon. It is not real life.”
Donald Trump is often likened to Julius Caesar whereas he’s more Tiberius Gracchus, the demagogue who ushered in the politics of violence into the Republic. The message is clear now as it was back then. Mess with us and face dire consequences. It was the return of violence that would have the greatest impact on the generation that followed in Rome. There is no reason to believe that this unfortunate history will not repeat itself in America.
At a Virginia rally last month for Glenn Youngkin, the Republican candidate for governor, the speaker warned of the looming threat of “communist atheists.” “Heavenly Father, we come before you tonight,” said Joshua Pratt, a conservative activist. “Your children are in a battle, and we need your help.”
God bless America.
Paul Rudd is People magazine’s 2021 Sexiest Man Alive! The news has taken many by surprise, not the least Paul Rudd himself. He has promised to lean into it. “I’m going to own it.” He revealed that his wife of 18 years, Juile, was “stupefied” at first and then after some giggling and shock, said, “Oh they got it right.” It’s a tough crown to wear, Paul, and I wish you all the best. Ha ha :)
Stay safe. Have a great week ahead!