Because they decided to go against the rich and powerful senate by giving power and lands to the poorest, and power to the Etruscans, they were both killed by the senate. This shows that at that time the Senate was so powerful that it should not be disturbed. The rich oppressed the poor and did not like power being given to these people. By killing the Gracchi brothers, it definitely sent the message that the Senate should not be disturbed. This also favored the division of time. There were now groups of people, the populares, who were those who promoted the ideas of the people, and the optimates, who were those who promoted the interests of the rich or noble. Overall, the murder and forced suicide of the Gracchi brothers created even more political unrest, division and violence across the world.