Gaius Marcius (
Caius Martius)
Coriolanus was a
Roman general who is said to have lived in the 5th century BC. He received his
toponymic cognomen "Coriolanus" because of his exceptional valor in a Roman siege of the
Volscian city of
Corioli. He was subsequently exiled from Rome, and led troops of Rome's enemy the
Volsci to besiege Rome.