Publius Mucius Scaevola (consul 133 BC)

According to Cicero, Scaevola supported Gracchus' land reforms (Lex Sempronia Agraria), but the extent of his involvement has been debated by some historians.

[2] In legend the Scaevolas draw their name from a Gaius Mucius Scaevola of 508 BC who supposedly attempted to assassinate the Etruscan king of Clusium, Lars Porsena and upon killing his secretary due to a mix up in interpreting Etruscan dress, thrust his arm into a brazier and declared that 300 young men like him would come for Porsena, leading to the king's withdrawal out of fear for his personal safety.

Most significant in the historical record is his carrying of a plebiscite which placed Hostilius Tubulus on trial for accepting bribes during his year as praetor in 142 BC.

The Punic Wars had ended only 13 years beforehand and Rome now controlled many new territories around the Mediterranean through military expeditions such as Scipio Aemilianus’ conquest of Numantia in modern-day Spain, as well as the annexation of Asia Minor.

Publius Mucius Scaevola's fellow consul Lucius Calpernius Piso led armies in 133 BC against the slave revolt on the island of Sicily.

This revolt was led by a man named Eunus, a semi-prophetic military leader who managed to win several small scale engagements against larger Roman forces.

[15] Before Tiberius Gracchus drew up the highly significant Lex Agraria, he consulted with the preeminent citizens of the day, including Publius Mucius Scaevola, who was consul at the time.

For example, in 1965 Erich S. Gruen depicted Publius Mucius Scaevola as a man constantly changing factional allegiance – describing him as a successful but unprincipled politician.

The annals ceased being written in the 130s BC, and Publius Mucius Scaevola reportedly published the complete record in his official capacity.