# Cornelia

> 2nd century BC Roman noblewoman, mother of the Gracchi

**Wikidata**: [Q234533](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q234533)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelia_(mother_of_the_Gracchi))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cornelia

## Summary
Cornelia was a 2nd century BC Roman noblewoman best known as the mother of the Gracchi brothers, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus. She was a member of the influential Cornelia family and held a prominent position in Roman society. Her legacy includes being honored with an honorific statue during her lifetime, a rare distinction for a woman in ancient Rome.

## Biography
- Born: 2nd century BC, Rome
- Nationality: Roman
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Mother of the Gracchi brothers, Roman noblewoman
- Employer(s): Not applicable (noblewoman)
- Field(s): Not applicable (noblewoman)

## Contributions
Cornelia's primary contribution was raising her sons Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, who became influential Roman reformers. She was honored with an honorific statue during her lifetime, which was an exceptional recognition for a woman in ancient Rome. The asteroid 425 Cornelia was later named in her honor, extending her legacy into modern astronomical nomenclature.

## FAQs
What is Cornelia known for?
Cornelia is primarily known as the mother of the Gracchi brothers, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, who were influential Roman reformers in the 2nd century BC.

Why was Cornelia honored with a statue?
Cornelia received an honorific statue during her lifetime, which was a rare distinction for a woman in ancient Rome, recognizing her status and influence in Roman society.

What is the significance of the asteroid named after Cornelia?
The asteroid 425 Cornelia was named in honor of Cornelia, extending her legacy beyond ancient Rome into modern astronomical nomenclature.

## Why They Matter
Cornelia matters because she was the mother of two of Rome's most influential reformers, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, who challenged the Roman political establishment and advocated for land reform. Her influence on her sons and her own status as a respected Roman matron made her a significant figure in the political and social landscape of the late Roman Republic. The honorific statue dedicated to her during her lifetime demonstrates the exceptional regard in which she was held, breaking gender barriers in Roman commemorative practices.

## Notable For
- Mother of the Gracchi brothers, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus
- Recipient of an honorific statue during her lifetime (rare for women in ancient Rome)
- Asteroid 425 Cornelia named in her honor
- Member of the influential Cornelia family of ancient Rome

## Body
### Early Life and Family Background
Cornelia was born in the 2nd century BC into the prominent Cornelia family, one of the most distinguished patrician families in ancient Rome. Her family connections placed her at the center of Roman political and social life from an early age.

### Marriage and Motherhood
Cornelia married Tiberius Gracchus the Elder, a Roman politician and general. Together they had twelve children, though only three survived to adulthood: Tiberius, Gaius, and Sempronia. Her role as mother to Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus would become her most significant legacy, as both sons became influential Roman reformers who challenged the existing political order.

### Influence on the Gracchi Brothers
As the mother of Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, Cornelia played a crucial role in shaping two of Rome's most controversial political figures. Both brothers served as tribunes and advocated for land reform and other measures to help the Roman poor, ultimately leading to their deaths. Their reforms and the circumstances of their deaths marked a turning point in Roman politics and contributed to the eventual fall of the Roman Republic.

### Recognition and Legacy
Cornelia's status in Roman society was such that she was honored with an honorific statue during her lifetime, a distinction rarely bestowed upon women in ancient Rome. This recognition speaks to her exceptional standing and influence in Roman society. Centuries later, her legacy was further cemented when the main-belt asteroid 425 Cornelia was named in her honor, ensuring her place in both historical and astronomical records.

### Historical Significance
As a Roman matron who raised two of the Republic's most significant reformers, Cornelia occupies a unique position in Roman history. Her life bridges the gap between traditional Roman values and the emerging challenges to the Republic's political system. The Gracchi brothers' reforms, which they pursued partly in response to their mother's teachings and example, helped expose the deep divisions within Roman society and contributed to the political crises that would eventually lead to the fall of the Republic.

## References

1. Cornelia
2. Digital Prosopography of the Roman Republic
3. Women Writers of Ancient Greece and Rome
4. Natural History
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. [Source](http://catalog.perseus.org/catalog/urn:cite:perseus:author.405)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
9. Dizionario di Storia