The nomen Canuleius belongs to a large class of
gentilicia formed using the suffix -eius, which was typically of
Oscan names. It might perhaps be derived from the same root as Kanus, a surname originally referring to someone with white hair.[2][3]
Praenomina
The main
praenomina of the Canuleii were Lucius, Gaius, and Marcus, the three most common names throughout all periods of Roman history.
Branches and cognomina
None of the Canuleii mentioned by ancient writers bore a
cognomen, except for
Lucius Canuleius Dives,
praetor in 171 BC. His surname originally signified someone possessing great wealth.[1][4]
Marcus Canuleius, tribune of the plebs in 420 BC, accused
Gaius Sempronius Atratinus, the consul of 423, of misconduct during the Volscian war. Together with his colleagues, Canuleius also proposed a measure concerning the distribution of public land.[9]
Lucius Canuleius, one of five ambassadors sent by the
Roman Senate to
Aetolia in 174 BC.[10]
Lucius Canuleius Dives,
praetor in 171 BC, was assigned the province of
Hispania, where the senate ordered Canuleius to investigate claims of extortion by his precesessors. During his term, Canuleius helped to establish a
colony at
Carteia.
Canuleius, a
senator, was one of the ambassadors to
Egypt before 160 BC.[11]
Gaius Canuleius, tribune of the plebs in 100 BC, accused
Publius Furius, who had been his colleague, for siding with
Saturninus against the senate, and for opposing the recall of
Metellus Numidicus from exile. His actions were so unpopular that he was slain by an angry mob, without having the opportunity to defend himself.[12]
Lucius Canuleius, one of the
publicani, a collector of duties for the harbour of
Syracuse, at the time when the government of
Sicily was held by
Verres.[13]