Final answer:
Tribunes Marullus and Flavius were removed from office due to the political turmoil in Rome, where reforms targeting the traditional power of the Senate led to a clash between the populares and the ruling class, likely resulting in their expulsion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tribunes Marullus and Flavius were removed from office because they were seen as a threat to the political stability and power structure of Rome. During the Late Republic, tribunes like Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus started promoting reforms that benefitted the Plebeian class, such as land redistribution and free grain, which encroached upon the authority and privileges of the Senate. Their actions, perceived violations of Roman tradition, and challenges to the elite led to political crisis and violent reactions. This strained atmosphere likely contributed to the downfall of other tribunes like Marullus and Flavius, who may have been involved in similar conflicts between the interests of the common people and the entrenched power of the senatorial class.
Background of Political Turmoil
Throughout this period, attempts to curb the power of the Senate, promote the common people's rights, or redistribute wealth and power were met with severe resistance from the ruling elites, often resulting in political purges, assassinations, or exile. This context is crucial to understand why certain tribunes faced removal from office. It was not only the enacted policies but also the fear among the ruling class of losing their traditional control over the Republic.