Canutius

or Cannu'tius, was horn in the same year as Cicero, B. C. 106, and is described by the latter as the most eloquent orator out of the senatorial order. Canutius is frequently mentioned in Cicero's oration for Cluentius as having been engaged in the prosecution of several of the parties connected with that disgraceful affair. Works Orations published in the name of P. Sulpicius Rufus

After the death of P. Sulpicius Rufus, who was one of the most celebrated orators of his time, and who left no orations behind him, P. Canutius composed some and published them under the name of Sulpicius. Further Information

Cic. Brut. 56, pro Cluent. 10, 18, 21, 27.

or Cannu'tius, tribune of the plebs in the year that Caesar was assassinated, B. C. 44, was a violent opponent of Antony. When Octavianus drew near to Rome towards the end of October, Canutius went out of the city to meet him, in order to learn his intentions; and upon Octavianus declaring against Antony, Canutius conducted him into the city, and spoke to the people on his behalf. Shortly afterwards, Octavianus went into Etruria and Antony returned to Rome; and when the latter summoned the senate on the Capitol on the 28th of November, in order to declare Octavianus an enemy of the state, he would not allow Canutius and two of his other colleagues to approach the Capitol, lest they should put their veto upon the decree of the senate. After the departure of Antony from Rome to prosecute the war against Dec. Brutus in Cisalpine Gaul, Canutius had full scope for indulging his hostility to Antony, and constantly attacked him in the most furious manner (continua rabie lacerabat, Vell. 2.64). Upon the establishment of the triumvirate in the following year, B. C. 43, Canutius is said by Velleius Paterculus (l.c.) to have been included in the proscription and put to death; but this is a mistake, for he was engaged in the Perusinian war, B. C. 40. As Octavianus had deserted the senatorial party, Canutius became one of his enemies, and accordingly joined Fulvia and L. Antonius in their attempt to crush him in B. C. 40; but falling into his hands on the capture of Perusia, Canutius was put to death by his orders. (Appian, App. BC 3.41; D. C. 45.6, 12; Cic. Fam. 12.3, 23, Philipp. 3.9 ; Appian, App. BC 5.49; D. C. 48.14.)

The C. Canutius, whom Suetonius (de Clar. Rhet. 4) mentions, is in all probability the same as this Ti. Canutius. Whether the Canutius spoken of in the Dialogue " De Oratoribus" (100.21) is the same as either P. or Ti. Canutius, or a different person altogether, is quite uncertain.