The Probert Encyclopaedia of People

CORIOLANUS

Coriolanus was the name given to an ancient Roman, Caius, or more properly Cneius Marcius, because the city of Corioli, the capital of the kingdom of the Volsci, was taken almost solely by his exertions. He was banished for seeking to deprive the plebeians of their hard-earned privileges, and in particular of the tribuneship; and seeking revenge, he took refuge amongst the Volsci, the bitterest enemies of Rome, and prevailed upon them to go to war with her. The Volscian army, after making itself master of the cities of Latium, was pitched in sight of Rome before troops could be raised for the defence. The Roman senate made unavailing overtures for peace, until at length the tears of Veturia his mother, and Volumnia his wife, when they appeared at the head of the Roman matrons, induced Coriolanus to withdraw his army from before Rome, He was afterwards assassinated in a tumult while attempting to justify his conduct. The story of Coriolanus, which is now regarded as legendary, forms the subject of one of William Shakespeare's plays.
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