Fannia
Encyclopedia
Fannia is notable as the granddaughter of the well-known Arria
Major.
Fannia is recorded in the writings of Pliny the Younger
as a woman of fortitude and respectability.
As with her grandmother, Fannia is described as a political rebel in her own right. She was married to Helvidius Priscus and followed him twice in to exile, once when he was exiled by Nero
for sympathising with two outcasts (Brutus and Cassius), then for the second time when he was exiled by Vespasian
for opposing his reign. Eventually, Fannia herself was exiled in 93. AD for instigating the creation and publication of a biographical book about her husband under the rule of Domitian. This mild sentence was reflected in the death of the author, Herennius Senecio
, who was executed due to his involvement.
During the trial of Senecio, he blamed the book on Fannia as she had asked him to write it, a statement that Fannia confirmed. She was asked if, and confirmed that, she had given Senecio her husband's diaries. Pliny writes that:
In 103. AD, Pliny recorded that Fannia had "contracted this illness". She had been nursing a relative (Junia) from an unnamed "serious illness" and as Junia was a vestal virgin she had been obliged to leave Vesta's hearth and go in to the care of a matron. Whilst taking care of her Fannia herself fell ill, and is described by Pliny:
Though Pliny the Younger was regularly prone to exaggeration of great extent, his repeated expressions of worry suggest that the illness was one from which Fannia did not recover.
Arria
Arria was a woman in ancient Rome. Her husband Caecina Paetus was ordered by the emperor Claudius to commit suicide for his part in a rebellion but was not capable of forcing himself to do so. Arria wrenched the dagger from him and stabbed herself, then returned it to her husband, telling him that...
Major.
Fannia is recorded in the writings of Pliny the Younger
Pliny the Younger
Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, born Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo , better known as Pliny the Younger, was a lawyer, author, and magistrate of Ancient Rome. Pliny's uncle, Pliny the Elder, helped raise and educate him...
as a woman of fortitude and respectability.
As with her grandmother, Fannia is described as a political rebel in her own right. She was married to Helvidius Priscus and followed him twice in to exile, once when he was exiled by Nero
Nero
Nero , was Roman Emperor from 54 to 68, and the last in the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Nero was adopted by his great-uncle Claudius to become his heir and successor, and succeeded to the throne in 54 following Claudius' death....
for sympathising with two outcasts (Brutus and Cassius), then for the second time when he was exiled by Vespasian
Vespasian
Vespasian , was Roman Emperor from 69 AD to 79 AD. Vespasian was the founder of the Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Empire for a quarter century. Vespasian was descended from a family of equestrians, who rose into the senatorial rank under the Emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty...
for opposing his reign. Eventually, Fannia herself was exiled in 93. AD for instigating the creation and publication of a biographical book about her husband under the rule of Domitian. This mild sentence was reflected in the death of the author, Herennius Senecio
Herennius Senecio
Herennius Senecio was among the Stoic opposition to the emperor Domitian, under whose rule he was executed. He was from Baetica in Roman Spain. He was the author of a laudatory biography of the Stoic martyr Helvidius Priscus....
, who was executed due to his involvement.
During the trial of Senecio, he blamed the book on Fannia as she had asked him to write it, a statement that Fannia confirmed. She was asked if, and confirmed that, she had given Senecio her husband's diaries. Pliny writes that:
When her possessions were seized Fannia managed to save the diaries and biography of her husband and even took them with her in to exile.
"she did not utter a single word to reduce the danger to herself."
In 103. AD, Pliny recorded that Fannia had "contracted this illness". She had been nursing a relative (Junia) from an unnamed "serious illness" and as Junia was a vestal virgin she had been obliged to leave Vesta's hearth and go in to the care of a matron. Whilst taking care of her Fannia herself fell ill, and is described by Pliny:
"She has constant fever and a cough that is getting worse; she is emaciated and generally in decline. Only her spirit is vigorous, worthy of her husband."
Though Pliny the Younger was regularly prone to exaggeration of great extent, his repeated expressions of worry suggest that the illness was one from which Fannia did not recover.