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. Research Coriolanus
Valerius Corvus was a famous general of the early Roman republic. He was born about 370 BC and died about 270 BC. He was elected consul in 348; defeated the Volsci, the Samnites, the Etruscans, and the Marsi; was dictator in 342 and in 301; consul for the sixth time in 299. Research Valerius Corvus
The Volsci were a people living in Italy during the period of the Roman Republic. They dwelt in the southern part of Latium and were the most persistent foes of the early Republic. Research Volsci
Antium was in ancient Italy, one of the most ancient and powerful cities of Latium, the chief city of the Volsci, and often at war with the Romans, by whom it was finally taken in 338 BC. It was 38 miles distant from Rome, a nourishing seaport, and became a favourite residence of the wealthy Romans. It was destroyed by the Saracens; but vestiges of it remain at Porto d'Anzo, near which many valuable works of art have been found. Research Antium
Abbreviations
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