The Roman Republic in History

[QuintusSertorius]

Key thing is after the Gracchii, the senatorial elites, and young men on the make began to realise that the tribunate could be a route to power. Having lived through Saturninus and other demagogues, that's one of the reasons why Sulla was so keen to neuter the office. Even though it's very existence had been a pressure valve on the frustrations of plebians.

If Saturninus had succeeded in his coup, the history of the Republic, and indeed the world could have been very different indeed. Or even if the Gracchii had got what they wanted, although neither of them actually sought revolution.