Final answer:
Gaius Gracchus was a Populare because of his political reforms aimed at assisting the plebeians and other non-elite groups in Roman society, which included land redistribution, food subsidies, and efforts to extend Roman citizenship.
Step-by-step explanation:
Was Gaius Gracchus a Populare or Optimare?
Gaius Gracchus was a member of the Populares, a political faction in Ancient Rome. The Populares were known for seeking the political support of the plebeians and other non-elite groups within Roman society. Gaius, like his brother Tiberius, pushed for reforms such as land redistribution, selling grain at reduced prices to the poor, and extending Roman citizenship. These policies were aimed at addressing the needs and winning the favor of the common people, hence the term 'Populares.'
Contrastingly, the Optimates were the traditionalist senators who sought to preserve elite privileges and were generally opposed to the Gracchi reforms. This illustrates that Gaius Gracchus was indeed a Populare because of his efforts to promote the greater good of the wider populace over the interests of the elite senatorial class.
Gaius’s move to propose legislation allowing equestrians to serve on juries that tried corruption cases, and his most radical move to extend full citizenship to all of Rome's Italian subjects were in line with the Populares' agenda to empower the common people and curb the influence of the traditional oligarchy.