A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

3. C.LiciniusCrassus, probably a son of No. 2, was tribune of the plebs B. C. 145, and according to Cicero (de Amic. 25) and Varro (de Re Rust. 1.2), was the first who in his orations to the people turned towards the forum, instead of turning towards the comitium and the curia. Plutarch (C. Gracch. 5) attributes the introduction of this mark of independence to C. Gracchus. He introduced a rogation in order to prevent the colleges of priests from filling up vacancies by co-optation, and to transfer the election to the people; but the measure was defeated in consequence of the speech of the then praetor, C. Laelius Sapiens. (Cic. Brut. 21.) (Huschke, Ueber die Stelle des Varro von den Liciniern, Heidelb. 1337.)