Coriolanus, Gaius Marcius

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Coriolanus, Gaius Marcius (5th century bc), Roman general, who got his name from the capture of the Volscian town of Corioli, but whose pride, despite his military prowess and fame, was so offensive to the people of Rome that he was banished. According to legend, he subsequently led a Volscian army against the city and was only turned back by the pleas of his mother and wife.