The gens Caninia was a plebeian family at ancient Rome during the later Republic. The first member of the gens who obtained any of the curule offices was Gaius Caninius Rebilus, praetor in 171 BC; but the first Caninius who was consul was his namesake, Gaius Caninius Rebilus, in 45 BC.[1]
Origin
The nomenCaninius may be connected with the Latin adjective canus or kanus, meaning "white" or "grey", perhaps referring to the color of a person's hair. It might also be derived from the adjective caninus, meaning "hound-like", "snarling".[2]
Praenomina
The principal names of the Caninii were Gaius, Lucius, and Marcus, which were also the three most common praenomina throughout Roman history. At least one of the family bore the praenomen Aulus.[3]
Branches and cognomina
The chief families of the Caninii bore the cognominaGallus and Rebilus. The surname Satrius is also found, and there was a Caninius Sallustius, who was adopted by some member of this gens. Gallus was a common surname, which may refer to a Gaul, or to a cock.[4][5][6]
Members
This list includes abbreviated praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see filiation.
Caninii Rebili
Gaius Caninius Rebilus, praetor in 171 BC, obtained Sicily as his province.[7]
Gaius Caninius Rebilus, consul in AD 37, and likely son of the consul suffectus of 12 BC.[10]
Caninius Rebilus, a man of consular rank and great wealth, but bad character; Julius Graecinus refused to accept a gift of money from him on account of his character. He is probably the same person who put an end to his life under the emperor Nero, whose name was evidently corrupted into C. Aminius Rebius.[11][12]
Lucius Caninius Gallus, a Roman senator during the time of Tiberius, served as curator of the banks and channels of the Tiber. [17]
Others
Aulus Caninius Satrius, mentioned by Cicero in 65 BC.[18]
Caninius Sallustius, quaestor of Marcus Calpurnius Bibulus, the proconsul of Syria; one of Cicero's letters is addressed to him. He may have been adopted into the Caninia gens, or possibly his name is corrupt, and should read C. Annius Sallustius or Cn. Sallustius.[19][20]
Caius Caninius Onesimus was a veteran of the Praetorian Guard (cohortis VIII praetoriae), lived 63 years and 8 months. Died in Como.[17]
Titus Caninius, son of Sergius Maximus, was a veteran of the Praetorian Guard (cohortis VI praetoriae), died in Corinium (Gornji Karin), Dalmatia.[17]
Lucius Caninius Publius, son of Valentius and father of Caius, was procurator of public works (procuratori operum publicorum) in the province of Africa and died in Roccaverano in Regio IX Liguria.[17]
Caius Caninius Germanus, veteran and centurion of the classis Ravennas died at the age of 90 in Calenzana, Corsica.[17]
Caninia Longa, a Jewish woman of the early first century.[21]