A brilliant general's pride leads to exile, alliance with his enemy, and tragic downfall.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Riots and Exile
Civil unrest erupts over grain shortages and war fatigue. The brilliant general openly despises the citizens, leading to his political downfall and banishment.
Key Events
Grain Riots Erupt — Citizens riot over withheld food and war taxes. Characters: Volumnia, VirgiliaLocation: Rome Streets
General's Contempt — The exiled leader openly mocks the angry populace. Characters: Volumnia, VirgiliaLocation: March Route
Siege of Corioles — Volscian forces clash with Roman troops in a brutal battle. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VolumniaLocation: Corioles
Single Combat — The Volscian commander fights the Roman leader to a standstill. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VolumniaLocation: Battlefield
Victory Return — The general returns victorious and is honored by the Senate. Characters: Volumnia, VirgiliaLocation: Rome
Alliance with the Enemy
The exiled leader seeks refuge with his mortal enemy. The two commanders unite their forces to launch a devastating campaign against Rome.
Key Events
Victory Return — The general returns victorious and is honored by the Senate. Characters: Volumnia, VirgiliaLocation: Rome
Political Ambition — The matriarch urges her son to seek political power. Characters: Volumnia, VirgiliaLocation: Senate
Tribune Opposition — Political rivals fear the general's rising popularity. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VolumniaLocation: Senate
Riot Incitement — Opponents stir the crowd against the general's candidacy. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VirgiliaLocation: Streets
Public Outburst — The general insults the citizens and rejects popular rule. Characters: Volumnia, VirgiliaLocation: Forum
Banishment Order — The general is exiled for his defiance of the state. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VolumniaLocation: Senate
The Diplomatic Gambit
Roman envoys fail to halt the advancing army. Desperation mounts as a senator commits suicide, prompting the women of the household to take action.
Key Events
Banishment Order — The general is exiled for his defiance of the state. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VolumniaLocation: Senate
Exile Journey — The exiled leader travels to the enemy capital. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VirgiliaLocation: Roads
Volscian Welcome — The enemy commander embraces the exiled general as an ally. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VolumniaLocation: Antium
Alliance Forged — The two leaders plan a joint assault on Rome. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VolumniaLocation: War Room
Army March — The combined forces advance on the city. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VirgiliaLocation: Borders
Diplomatic Failure — Roman envoys fail to persuade the general to stop. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VolumniaLocation: Camp
Peace and Betrayal
The matriarch successfully persuades her son to spare the city. However, his former allies view this mercy as treason, leading to a fatal confrontation.
Key Events
Diplomatic Failure — Roman envoys fail to persuade the general to stop. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VolumniaLocation: Camp
Envoy Suicide — A desperate senator takes his own life after failing. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VolumniaLocation: Riverbank
Embassy Mission — The women travel to plead for peace with the commander. Characters: Volumnia, VirgiliaLocation: Enemy Camp
Maternal Plea — The mother successfully convinces the general to spare Rome. Characters: Volumnia, Tullus AufidiusLocation: Tent
Peace Treaty — A truce is brokered between the warring states. Characters: Volumnia, Tullus AufidiusLocation: Camp
Betrayal Accusation — The Volscian commander turns on the general for breaking his vow. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VolumniaLocation: Border
Final Stand — The commander's men attack the exiled leader. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VirgiliaLocation: Border
Tragic End — The general falls to his former allies blades. Characters: Tullus Aufidius, VolumniaLocation: Border
Story Breakdown
Civil Unrest — Grain shortages and war fatigue spark deadly riots in Rome.
Grain Withholding — Senate hoards food while citizens suffer.
General's Contempt — The commander openly mocks the plebeians.
Political Downfall — Military success fails to translate into political survival.
Senate Opposition — Tribunes fear the general's rising popularity.
Public Outburst — The leader insults citizens and rejects democracy.
Exile and Alliance — Banished from Rome, the general joins his mortal enemy.
Volscian Welcome — The enemy commander embraces the exiled leader.
Joint Campaign — Rome and Volsci unite to attack the city.
Diplomatic Crisis — Roman envoys fail to stop the advancing army.
Failed Negotiations — Senators are shunned and one commits suicide.
Women's Mission — The mother and wife travel to the enemy camp.
Maternal Intervention — Family ties override political and military ambitions.
Plea for Mercy — The mother successfully persuades her son to stop.
Peace Treaty — A truce is brokered between the warring states.
Tragic Betrayal — Mercy is viewed as treason by former allies.
Accusation of Treason — The enemy commander turns against the general.
Fatal Confrontation — The leader is killed by his former comrades.
Caius Martius, aka Coriolanus, is an arrogant and fearsome general who has built a career on protecting Rome from its enemies. Pushed by his ambitious mother to seek the position of consul, Coriolanus is at odds with the masses and unpopular with certain colleagues. When a riot results in his expulsion from Rome, Coriolanus seeks out his sworn enemy, Tullus Aufidius. Together, the pair vow to destroy the great city.
