The charge against the entrenched political powers of ancient Rome was led by various reformers but most notably by Tiberius Gracchus in 133 BCE. He initiated a series of legislative reforms aimed at addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by the plebeians, particularly regarding land redistribution to alleviate poverty. Tiberius sought to challenge the power of the wealthy aristocracy who had concentrated land ownership, sparking significant political conflict. His assassination marked a crucial turning point in Roman history, igniting ongoing class struggles and highlighting the growing divide between the patricians and plebeians, which ultimately contributed to the fall of the Republic.