Gaius Blossius

Gaius Blossius was a philosopher from the city of Cumae in Campania, Italy, who lived in the 2nd century BC. According to Plutarch, he was a student of the Stoic philosopher Antipater of Tarsus. Blossius, along with the Greek rhetorician Diophanes, is credited with instigating the Roman tribune Tiberius Gracchus to pursue a land reform movement aimed at benefiting the plebeians. This movement ultimately led to Gracchus' assassination. Following Gracchus' death, Blossius faced interrogation by the consuls regarding his involvement. He admitted to complying with Tiberius' requests and, when pressed, stated he would only act on Tiberius' orders if they served the true interests of the Roman people. He was subsequently released. Blossius then moved to the province of Asia, where he became involved in Aristonicus' popular uprising against Rome, assisting in the organization of the Heliopolis state. After the defeat of the uprising, Blossius took his own life.