Marcus Livius Drusus was the name of two magistrates in the Roman Republic.

Marcus Livius Drusus the Censor

The elder Marcus Livius Drusus was set up as tribune by the Senate in 122 BC to undermine Gaius Gracchus' land reform bills. To do this, he proposed creating twelve colonies with 3000 settlers each from the poorer classes, and relieving rent on property distributed since 133. He also said the Latin allies should not be mistreated by Roman generals, which was the counteroffer to Gaius' offer of full citizenship. These were known as the Leges Liviae, but they were never enacted, because the Senate simply wanted to draw support away from Gracchus. Their plan was successful and Drusus had enough support to veto Gaius' bill. Drusus was later consul in 112 and fought in Macedonia defeating the Scordisci, even pushing them out of Thace across the Danube. In 109 he was elected censor along with the elder Marcus Aemilius Scaurus, but he died the next year in 108.

Marcus Livius Drusus the Tribune

The younger Marcus Livius Drusus, son of the above, was tribune of the plebeians in 91 BC. In the manner of Gaius Gracchus, he set out with comprehensive plans, but his aim was to strengthen senatorial rule. He removed the jury courts from the jurisdiction of the Equestrian in retaliation for their unjustified condemnation of Publius Rutilius Rufus in 92 BC. To gain support from the plebeians he set up a commission to grant them more land, both around Rome and in new colonies (which was one of only two that was approved by the Senate during the late republic, and lowered the price of grain. Up to this point Drusus managed to have the support of many of the leading senators including Marcus Aemilius Scaurus. However, Drusus wanted to grant citizenship rights to the Italian allies. This was vehemently opposed by many, he gradually lost support from the Senate, the equites, the Roman population who did not want the Italians to become citizens, and wealthy Italian landlords who did not want to lose their land. In retaliation for his proposal to grant citizenship to the Italian allies, his previous bills were declared invalid, and he was soon assassinated. Soon after his assassination, the Italian allies revolted starting the Social War of 91-88 BC.

Roman Republican consuls | Multiple people

Marcus Livius Drusus der Ältere | Marco Livio Druso | Marcus Livius Drusus | Marcus Livius Drusus | Marcus Livius Drusus maior | Marcus Livius Drusus