Gaius Cornelius (tribune 67 BC)

Gaius Cornelius was a Roman tribune of the plebs in 67 BC, known for his controversial legislative proposals and his subsequent prosecution by political opponents. His tribunate was marked by attempts to curb senatorial authority and address perceived corruption within the aristocracy.

Cornelius's most significant proposal was a law aimed at restricting the power of the Senate to dispense with laws without a proper vote of the people. He sought to prevent the Senate from issuing decrees that would exempt individuals or groups from adhering to existing laws, effectively limiting the arbitrary influence of the senatorial class. This proposal, predictably, faced fierce resistance from the senatorial elite.

Another of Cornelius's legislative efforts involved restricting the magistrates' ability to accept gifts and bribes. This law was designed to combat corruption among officials and promote more equitable governance.

His actions provoked intense opposition from influential senators, leading to his prosecution on charges of maiestas (treason or injury to the state) after his term as tribune concluded. He was defended by Cicero, who delivered the Pro Cornelio, a speech that survives only in fragments. Although the exact outcome of his initial trial is uncertain, Cornelius was eventually convicted in a later trial, seemingly related to the same accusations stemming from his tribunate. The details of his subsequent life are not well documented, but his tribunate remains a notable example of a tribune attempting to challenge the established power structures of the late Roman Republic.