CORIOLA'NUS, CNA:US MA'RCIUS, the hero of en ancient Roman legend, belonging to the latter half of the third century of the city. Dimaysius calls him Camels; but Dieu and most of the menu seripta of Livy are in favour of Queue. (Niebuhr, ' Hist. of Rome,' vol. iL p. 234, Eng. Trans!) The snruame Coriolanna was supposed, in later times, to have been derived from his conquest of Corioli; but it probably rose in the same way as a multitude of other Roman true namea, such as Sabina", Auruncus, Viscellius, &c., which only Indicate the origin of the houses which bore them. A similar connection might no doubt bo satisfactorily traced in many more cases if the names of the towns remained to ju>tify our conclusions. (Niebuhr, vol.ii. p. 242.) The Mary of Corioluaus, as given by the Roman historians, is so completely poetical in its form, and so rhetorical in its details, that Niebuhr (p. 212) is of opinion that almost the whole of it munt be excluded from hi.dory. The tale however runs as follows :— Coriolanns was in the Roman camp when the consul Corniniug was laying siege to Corioli. The besieged makiog a vigorous sally. suc ceeded in driving back the Romans to their camp ; but Coriolanue immediately rallied them, rushed through the gates, and took the place. Meantime the Antiatea had come to relieve the town, nod wore on the point of engaging with the consul's army, when Coriolanue commenced the battle, and soon completely defeated them. From this time be was greatly admired for his warlike abilities, but his haughty demeanour gave considerable offence to the commonalty.
Not long afterwards his implacable anger was excited by being refused the consulship; and when, on occasion of a severe famioe in the city, corn was at hat brought from Sicily (some purchased and some given by a Greek prince), and a debate arose whether it should be given gratis or sold to the pleb., Coriolanns strenuously advised that it should be sold. The people in their fury would have torn him to pieces bad not the tribunes snmmoned him to take his trial. He was banished by a majority of the tribes, and retired to Antium, the chief town of the Volsci, where the klug. Attlua Tullus, received him with great hospitality. Coriolanus promised the Volsci his aid in their war against Rome, and they forthwith granted him the highest civil honour', and appointed him their general. He attacked and took
many towns; among othera Satricum, Longula, and Levininm. At last he dirtc'ed his march to Rome itself, and pitched his camp only a few miles from the city, where he dictated the terms at which the Romany might perchers) a cessation of hostilities. Among other things he demanded that the land taken from the Volecl should be restored, that the colonies settled there should be recalled, and that the whole people should be received as allies and citizens with equal eight.; and that all those who had enlisted themselves under his banners should be recalled, as well as himself. Coriolanus allowed them two terms, one of thirty and the other of three days, fur making rap their minds. After thirty days had expired, a deputation of four leading senators camo before his tribunal, but were repulsed with threat. if they 'hod.' again offer anything but unreserved aubmiesion.
On the second day, the whole body of priests and augurs came In their official garb and implored him, but in vain. On the third and !sat day which he had allowed them he intended to lead his army against the city, but another expedient was tried, and succeeded. The noblest matrons of the city, led by Veturia, the mother of Coriolanue, and his wife Volnumie, who held her little children by the hand, came to his tent. Their lamentations at last prevailed on his almost un bending revolution ; and, addressing his mother, he said with a flood of tears, "Take then thy country instead of me, since this is thy choice." The embassy departed ; and, dismissing Ills forces, he returned and lived among the Volsci to a great age. According to another account, be .1 as murdered by some of the Volsci, who were indignant at his withdrawing from the attack.
After his death however the Roman women were mourning for him as they had done for some former heroes. The publlo gratitude for the petriotio service. of Volumnia were acknowledged by a temple, which was erected to Female Fortune. Shakapere has founded his play of 'Coriolanos' on certain parts of the legend.
(Dionysiu. Halicarmunensis, Yin.; Plutarch, Life of Coriaant ; IL 83-40; Florus, 1. 11; Niebuhr, 1114 of Rome, voL pp. 234-243.)