MARCUS Lrvrns DRUSUS, son of the former, tribune of the people in 91 B.C. was a man of high integrity and recognized the need of reform. At that time an agitation was going on for the res toration of the judicial functions from the equites to the senate; Drusus proposed as a compromise a measure which restored to the senate the office of indices, while its numbers were doubled by the admission of 30o equites. Further, a special commission was to be appointed to try all indices guilty of taking bribes. But the senate was lukewarm, and the equites offered violent opposition. In order, therefore, to catch the popular votes, Drusus proposed the establishment of colonies in Italy and Sicily and an increased dis tribution of corn at a reduced rate. By help of these riders the bill was carried. Drusus then sought a closer alliance with the Italians, promising them the long-coveted boon of the Roman franchise.
The senate broke out into open opposition. His laws were abro gated as informal, and each party armed its adherents for the civil struggle which was inevitable. Drusus was murdered, and his assassin was never discovered.
See ROME: History; also Appian, Bell. Civ. i. 35 ; Florus iii, 17; Diod. Sic. xxxvii. so; Livy, Epit. 70; Vell. Pat. ii. 13.