Strabo, Fa'nnius
2. C.
Fannius Strabo, C. F., the son of the preceding, was consul B. C. 122 with Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus.
In his tribuneship of the plebs he had followed the guidance and advice of Scipio Africanus senior. Fannius owed his election to the consulship chiefly to the influence of C. Gracchus, who canvassed the people on his behalf, as he was anxious to prevent his enemy Opimius from obtaining the office.
Works
As soon as Fannius entered upon the consulship, he supported the aristocracy, and took an active part in opposing the measures of Gracchus.
He published a proclamation commanding all the Italian allies to leave Rome, and he spoke against the proposal of Gracchus, who wished to give the Roman franchise to the Latins.
This speech was preserved and was regarded as a master-piece in the time of Cicero. Many persons questioned whether it had been composed by Fannius himself, as he had the reputation of being only a middling orator; but Cicero assigns it to him.
It continued to be read by the grammarians
Editions
Cic.
Brut. 26 ; Plin. Nat. 2.32 ; Plut.
C. Gracch. 8, 11, 12 ; Cic. de Orat. 3.47 ; Jul. Vict.
de Art. Rhet. p. 224, ed. Orelli; Meyer,
Orat. Rom. Fragm. p. 191, &c., 2d ed.