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Critical Survey of Mythology and Folklore: Gods and Goddesses

Coriolanus, Gnaeus Marcius

by Sara MacDonald

Flourished: fifth century bce

Related civilizations: Republican Rome, Corioli, Volsci

Major role/position: Military leader

Life

Little is known of the life of Gnaeus Marcius Coriolanus (NEE-uhs MAHR-shee-uhs kawr-ee-uhLAY-nuhs). He was immortalized in what is probably a fictitious account by the historian Livy, which was later developed by both the historian Plutarch and English playwright William Shakespeare. According to Livy, Coriolanus was a nobleman and a great soldier who led Rome to many victories. During Coriolanus’s lifetime, a drought and poor crops left the commoners of Rome in debt to the nobles. The harsh conditions imposed on them for repayment led to unrest. To quell threats of sedition, the commoners were granted representatives (tribunes) in the government. Coriolanus opposed this development, arguing that the tribunes, backed by the will of the people, would grow in power and overthrow the constitution. Incensed by his words, the commoners tried Coriolanus and banished him from Rome. The Volsicans, enemies of Rome, whom Coriolanus had earlier defeated, welcomed him, hoping for retribution against Rome. Under his command, the Volscian army overtook many towns and eventually made camp at the border of Rome. Although petitioned by many ambassadors from Rome, it was not until entreated by his mother, Venturia, his wife, Volumnia, and their two sons that Coriolanus relented and withdrew his army.

Influence

In all representations, notably William Shakespeare’s play Coriolanus (pr. c. 1607–1608), Coriolanus symbolizes pride and the dangers inherent in letting pride overrule prudence.

Further Reading

1 

Livy. The Rise of Rome. Translated by T. J. Luce. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1999.

2 

Plutarch. Plutarch’s Lives: The Dryden Translation, Edited with Notes by Arthur Hugh Clough. New York: Modern Library, 2001.

Citation Types

Type
Format
MLA 9th
MacDonald, Sara. "Coriolanus, Gnaeus Marcius." Critical Survey of Mythology and Folklore: Gods and Goddesses, edited by Michael Shally Jensen, Salem Press, 2019. Salem Online, online.salempress.com/articleDetails.do?articleName=CSGods_0131.
APA 7th
MacDonald, S. (2019). Coriolanus, Gnaeus Marcius. In M. S. Jensen (Ed.), Critical Survey of Mythology and Folklore: Gods and Goddesses. Salem Press. online.salempress.com.
CMOS 17th
MacDonald, Sara. "Coriolanus, Gnaeus Marcius." Edited by Michael Shally Jensen. Critical Survey of Mythology and Folklore: Gods and Goddesses. Hackensack: Salem Press, 2019. Accessed December 14, 2025. online.salempress.com.