Catulus

Not to be confused with Quintus Lutatius Catulus (consul of 102 BCE), or Gaius Valerius Catullus (poet). See Lutatius for other members of the gens. For the genus of fungi, see Catulus (fungus).

Gaius Lutatius Catulus (Latin: C·LVTATIVS·C·F·CATVLVS) was a Roman statesman and naval commander in the First Punic War. He was born a member of the plebeian gens Lutatius. His cognomen "Catulus" means "puppy". There are no historical records of his life prior to consulship, but his career probably followed the standard cursus honorum, beginning with service in the cavalry and continuing with the positions of military tribune and quaestor.