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Caius Marcius Coriolanus
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Our Young Folks' Plutarch |
by Rosalie Kaufman |
Fifty retellings from Plutarch's Lives skillfully adapted for children. Includes the conquests of Alexander the Great, how Demosthenes became an orator, the conspiracy against Caesar, the life of Lycurgus the law-giver of Sparta, the exploits of Pyrrhus and others. Ages 10-14 | 627 pages |
$19.95 |
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CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS
[75] CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS belonged to the noble Marcii
family, and was early distinguished for his courage
and for his deep interest in all that pertained to war.
So when Tarquinius Superbus tried to replace himself on
the throne, as has been related in the life of
Publicola, young Marcius gladly embraced the
opportunity of appearing on the battlefield. In one
of the engagements he distinguished himself by
stepping into the place of a Roman soldier who had been
disabled and killing his assailant. For this brave deed
he was crowned after the battle with a wreath of
oak-leaves, it being the custom in Rome so to adorn any
soldier who saved the life of another. This crown could
be worn whenever the owner chose, and entitled him to
marked respect.
After that Marcius performed so many exploits that
there was scarcely a battle from which he did not
return crowned. This only fired his ambition to do
better, and his mother's warm embrace as she received
him crowned with laurels delighted his heart. His
father had died when Marcius was an infant, so all his
love was bestowed on his mother, from whom he never
lived apart, even after he was married and had a family
of his own.
Marcius added much to his glory during the war between
the Romans and the Volscians. Cominius, the consul,
surrounded Corioli, the principal city of the
Volscians, whereupon the rest of the nation sent all
their forces, so that an attack might be made upon the
enemy from within and without the walls at the same
time. But Cominius would not risk such an encounter; he
therefore divided his army, and leaving part under the
command of Titus Lartius, one of the bravest Romans of
his time, to continue the siege, he led the other part
out to meet the approaching Volscian troops.
Those within the walls of Corioli thought they could
easily manage the small army that remained, and so gave
them battle, and drove them into their trenches. Then
Marcius, with a few selected warriors, flew at the
Volscians, and cut to pieces all that
[76] he encountered,
calling at the same time on his countrymen to renew the
battle.
Encouraged by his voice and example, the Romans rallied
and fought the enemy to their very gates. Thousands of
darts rained down upon the besiegers from the walls,
and they were on the point of retreating, when Marcius
cried out, in tones remarkable for their power,
"Fortune has opened the gates of Corioli to receive the
conquerors!" Followed by a handful of brave men, he
pushed his way through the crowd into the city. A
combat followed which resulted in victory for Marcius.
Some of the citizens of Corioli sought refuge in the
interior, while the rest laid down their arms. Then
Lartius led in the rest of the Romans, who at once
began their work of pillage.
But Marcius was not satisfied. He reproached the
soldiers, and told them that it was disgraceful for
them thus to spend their time when the consul and his
troops were perhaps engaged with the other Volscians;
drawing about him the few who were willing to sacrifice
the booty that lay before them, he hastened along the
road Cominius had taken, praying to the gods as he went
that he might arrive before the fight was over.
It was the custom among the Romans just before going to
battle, while girding on their bucklers, to make a
verbal will in the presence of three or four hearers.
The army of Cominius was thus engaged, with the enemy
in sight, when Marcius entered the camp all besmeared
with blood, and attended by his small train. All
thought that he had come to report defeat, but when
after a moment's conversation Cominius embraced and
saluted him, they knew that Corioli had fallen, and
cried out to be led to battle.
Marcius inquired where the best soldiers among the
enemy were stationed, and on being told in the centre,
said, "Let me be granted the favor of being posted
against them." He had his wish, and wherever he went he
broke the Volscian ranks. Once he was completely
surrounded, when, seeing the danger, the consul sent
some of his choicest men to the rescue. These fought so
hard that they drove the enemy from the field. Marcius
was then urged to retire to the camp and rest, for he
was faint from loss of blood, but he said, "Weariness
is not for conquerors," and joined in the pursuit of
the Volscians until part were killed and the rest
captured.
[77] The next day, when Marcius Coriolanus presented himself
at the tent of Cominius, he received a hearty welcome
and loud praise for his remarkable achievements. The
consul then told Marcius to choose a tenth part of the
booty, the horses, and the captives as his reward
before the regular division was made among the
soldiers, and presented him with a fine horse covered
with rich trappings and ornaments. The whole army
applauded; but the hero only accepted the horse, and,
after thanking Cominius for his approval of his deeds,
refused any other reward except what fell to his share.
"I have one special favor to ask," he added, "which I
hope will not be denied me; it is that one of the
prisoners, a worthy man, whose hospitality I have
enjoyed, now reduced from wealth and freedom to
captivity, may not be sold as a common slave."
Applause louder and longer than before greeted this
request, for the men were more impressed by Marcius's
refusing the rich reward offered to him and by his kind
remembrance of his friend than they had been by his
bravery on the battlefield. As soon as quiet was
restored, Cominius said, "It is useless,
fellow-soldiers, to force gifts upon one who is
unwilling to receive them; but let us offer him that
which he cannot reject: let us pass a vote that he
shall henceforth be called Coriolanus, on account of
his actions at Corioli." This is how he came by his
third name.
When the war was over there was such a scarcity of
provisions in Rome that a famine was feared, and great
disturbance was the consequence. There had been
frequent quarrels between the rich and the poor, and
now the orators stirred up the latter to the belief
that the Patricians, as the noble class was called, had
brought about the scarcity of food out of revenge. The
senate did not know what to do, but Marcius did not
wait for them to decide. He secured as many volunteers
as possible, marched into the territory of the
Antiates, and returned to Rome with a rich supply of
corn, cattle, and slaves, no part of which he kept for
himself.
Those who had stayed quietly at home were filled with
envy when they saw Marcius again victorious, and began
to talk about the danger of his growing power.
Not long after, he presented himself in the Forum as a
candidate for consul. This was a period of purity, a
golden age, when bribery had not been resorted to, and
a man solicited the votes of
[78] his fellow-citizens on account of his merit. So Marcius
appeared in the Forum wearing only a loose gown, or
toga, and no tunic. Thus attired, the scars he had
received during his seventeen years' service in battle
could be plainly seen, and the people told one another
that they could not help creating him consul when he
displayed such marks of merit. If the election had
taken place then and there, Marcius would have received
the office he desired, but he made this mistake: when
election-day came he appeared not displaying his scars,
but handsomely clad and attended by a train of
senators. The other Patricians made such efforts to
secure his election that the common people rejected him
merely for the sake of opposition.
Coriolanus was so indignant that he burst into a
violent fit of rage, which the angry remarks of his
friends among the young noblemen encouraged. He vowed
that he would be avenged, and they promised to uphold
him in all he did.
His time came when grain was brought in large
quantities to Rome from various parts of Italy and from
the King of Sicily, who sent it as a present. The
senate assembled to distribute it, and the people
flocked in crowds, expecting to buy very cheap, and to
get what the king had sent without charge.
Then Coriolanus stood up and declared boldly that he
was opposed to any favors being shown the Plebeians, as
the common people were called. He said that they were
no longer to be trusted, since they were unwilling to
obey magistrates not of their own class; that they were
traitors whose insolence ought to deprive them of any
favors whatsoever. He added much more, but the most
aggravating part of his speech was the proposition to
keep the price of corn as high as ever, and thus
prevent the people from becoming independent.
When the crowd heard what Coriolanus had said, they
were so angry that they wanted to break in upon the
senate. Thereupon the tribunes assured them that the
offender should be punished, and that they should be
fairly dealt with regarding the price of food. After a
short consultation, Sicinius, the boldest of the
tribunes, announced that Marcius Coriolanus was
condemned to die, and ordered the magistrates to take
him to the top of the Tarpeian rock and throw him down
the precipice.
[79] Even his enemies were shocked at such a sentence; but
his friends closed around him and would not allow the
officers to come near, while he stood prepared to make
a desperate resistance. Finding that he could not be
taken without a great deal of bloodshed, the tribunes
decided to leave his fate to the people, and let them
say what should be done with him. Sicinius then turned
to the Patricians and asked, "What do you mean by
rescuing Marcius when he is on the eve of punishment?"
They answered, "What do you mean by thus dragging one
of the worthiest men in Rome, without trial, to a
barbarous execution?" "If that be all," returned
Sicinius, "the people grant you what you desire: the
man shall have his trial. As for you, Marcius, we
request you on the third market-day to appear and
defend yourself; the Roman citizens will then decide
your case by vote."
Several charges were brought against Coriolanus, some
just, some unjust, when the trial took place, and he
was condemned by a majority of votes to perpetual
banishment. This sentence was received by the Plebeians
with loud expressions of joy; but the Patricians felt
and looked sad and depressed. Marcius alone appeared
unmoved, because he was too indignant to show what he
suffered. He went to his own home, bade farewell to his
mother and his wife, and then left Rome, being
accompanied to the city gate by the Patricians in a
body. The next few days he spent at one of his farms in
the neighborhood, turning over in his mind the best
method of revenging himself. At last he decided to stir
up some nation to a cruel war against the Romans, and
fixed upon the Volscians as most likely to favor his
plan. They had been defeated, but they were still
strong in men and money, which they would, he did not
doubt, be ready to use against Rome.
So one evening he went secretly to the town of Antium
in disguise, and made his way to the house of Tullus
Aufidius, a man of wealth, influence, and noble birth
among the Volscians. He entered without speaking to
anybody, proceeded straight to the hearth, seated
himself there, and covered up his head.
As the household gods of the Romans were always placed
on the hearth, it was considered a sacred spot, and any
person desiring assistance, no matter of what
character, went there for refuge. Something impressive
in the appearance and the silence of
Corio- [80] lanus prevented the people of the house from
disturbing him; but they went to Tullus, who was at
supper, and told him that a stranger had come who
probably desired to speak with him. Tullus rose from
the table, and, going towards the visitor, asked who he
was, and upon what business he had come. Uncovering his
face, Coriolanus looked for a moment at the Volscian,
and spoke thus: "If thou dost not know me, Tullus, I
must be my own accuser. I am Caius Marcius, who have
brought so many misfortunes on your people; and as a
proof of that I bear the additional name of Coriolanus,
which is all the reward I have for the labors and
dangers I have undergone. Of everything else I am
robbed by the envy of the people on the one hand and
the cowardice and treachery of the magistrates on the
other. Driven from Rome as an exile, I come as a
suppliant to thy household gods,—not for protection,
for were I afraid to die I should not come here, but
for vengeance on those who have wronged me. I begin by
putting myself in thy hands. If thou art disposed to
attack the enemy, brave Tullus, take advantage of my
misfortunes; let my personal distress be the happiness
of thy countrymen, and be assured that I shall fight
much better for thee than I ever fought against thee.
But if thou hast given up all thoughts of war, I
neither desire to live nor is it fit for thee to
preserve one who has been thine enemy and is not able
to do thee any sort of service."
Tullus was delighted with this address; taking the hand
of the Roman in his, he said, "Rise, Marcius, and take
courage. The present you make us of yourself is of
great value, and you may be sure that the Volscians
will not prove ungrateful." He then feasted him, and
the two men spent several of the following days
consulting together about the war. They took the
principal men of Antium into their confidence also,
and all felt the difficulty of invading Rome because of
a treaty of peace which had been sworn to for two
years.
Coriolanus was not a man to stop at trifles; having
resolved to fight, he managed in this way to make the
Romans themselves furnish a pretext. He sent a message
to the consuls that it was the intention of the
Volscians residing in Rome to fall upon the citizens
during the public games and set the city on fire. The
consequence was a proclamation ordering the Volscians
to depart
[81] before sunset. That was enough; such an indignity was
not to be borne patiently, and Tullus did what he could
to work on the feelings of his countrymen until he
persuaded them at last to send ambassadors to Rome to
demand that the land taken from the Volscians during
the late war should be returned. The reply they
received was "that the Volscians were the first to
break the treaty and take up arms, but the Romans would
be the last to lay them down."
Then Tullus called an assembly, and the majority voted
for war. By his advice Marcius was chosen to share the
command of the army with him, and so impatient was the
latter to begin operations that before all the
arrangements were completed he marched with part of the
troops to the confines of Rome, and created such a
panic by his unexpected appearance that the Volscians
took more booty than they could carry away or use in
camp. But this was not all that Marcius desired. He had
wickedly made up his mind to increase the ill feeling
that existed between the Patricians and the Plebeians,
so he ordered his soldiers to destroy right and left
everything that they could not carry away, but on no
account to lay hands on a Patrician estate. The
consequence was that the people accused the rich of
encouraging Coriolanus to attack Rome because they knew
that he would offer them no injury.
While disorder reigned and the two parties in Rome
quarrelled and disputed, Coriolanus was marching about
from city to city, plundering, killing, and increasing
the wealth and number of his army. At last he laid
siege to Lavinium, where the images and sacred things
of the gods were kept. Then the Romans became so
terrified that they demanded the recall of Coriolanus.
At first the senate refused, but when the enemy
advanced to within five miles of Rome they sent
ambassadors to ask Coriolanus to forget the past and
return.
He received them seated in state, surrounded by
Volscian officers, and replied, "As general of the
Volscians I demand all the territory seized by the
Romans in the late war, also the same rights and
privileges for the people I command as are granted to
the Latins, otherwise peace cannot be lasting. I give
you thirty days to decide."
The Volscian forces were then led out of the Roman
territory,
[82] but attacks were continued on other cities in Italy,
and Coriolanus took possession of seven important ones.
When the thirty days had passed, the ambassadors were
sent again, not to agree to the terms proposed by
Coriolanus, but to ask him to withdraw the Volscian
army, and then to make any proposals he thought best
for both parties. He refused, but granted to the Romans
three days more for consideration of the matter. The
senate were in despair, for the city was in a perfect
uproar, and with a powerful enemy at their very gates
ready to pounce down upon them at a moment's notice,
nobody had the heart to engage in regular pursuits.
Here was a case that called for extraordinary measures:
so a decree was issued that the whole order of
priests, soothsayers, and priestesses should go in full
procession, attired in their sacred robes and carrying
all the emblems of their holy offices, to see what
impression they could make on the now terrible Marcius.
They were admitted to the camp, received with mildness
and patiently listened to, but nothing was granted to
them. They were sent away with this choice: either to
yield to the terms proposed or to fight.
So much had been expected from the intercession of the
holy ambassadors that their failure made matters worse
than before. In their despair the Romans resolved to
remain within their walls, and merely defend themselves
when the attack should be made, trusting to the
friendliness of the gods to put off the evil day.
In this dreadful season of uncertainty the women of
Rome daily congregated at the various temples to pray
for the safety of their homes and families. Those of
the highest rank met at the altar of Jupiter
Capitolinus, and it was one of their number who hit
upon a plan that no member of the senate would ever
have thought of. Her name was Valeria, and she was
sister of the great Publicola, whose services were of
so much value to his country. "Come," said she to her
companions, as though suddenly seized with divine
inspiration, "let us go to Volumnia, the mother of
Marcius; she and Vergilia, his wife, may succeed where
all others have failed."
On arriving at the house, they found the mother sitting
with her daughter-in-law and her grandchildren. Valeria
stepped forward from amidst the score of ladies who
accompanied her, and spoke
[83] thus: "We have come to you, Volumnia, and you,
Vergilia, as women to women, not by the direction of
the senate or an order from the consuls, but prompted
by the Divine Being himself, to entreat you to do a
thing that will save us and raise your glory above that
of the Sabine women, who won over their fathers and
husbands from mortal enmity to peace and friendship.
Arise and come with us to Coriolanus; help us to bear
testimony in behalf of our country, that in spite of
the many wrongs that have been put upon her she has
never once done you an injury, but now restores you
safe into his hands, though she may not on that account
obtain better terms for herself."
Volumnia made answer: "Vergilia and I, my countrywomen,
not only share with you the common misery, but we have
the sorrow besides of knowing that Marcius is lost to
us, his glory dimmed, his virtue gone, for we behold
him surrounded by the arms of the enemy, not as their
prisoner but as their commander. It is the greatest of
all misfortunes that our country has become so weak as
to rest her hopes upon us, for since Marcius has no
regard for the country which he used to love better
than mother, wife, or child, we can scarcely hope that
he will listen to us. However, lead us, if you please,
to him; if we can do nothing else we can at least
expire at his feet pleading for Rome."
CORIOLANUS AND HIS MOTHER.
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Having thus spoken, she took Vergilia and the children
by the hand, and, after gaining the approval of the
senate and consuls, proceeded with the Roman matrons to
the Volscian camp. Their appearance touched the
sympathies of the enemy, and when they approached the
general he was overcome at the sight of his dear ones,
who headed the line. He came quickly forward, embraced
his mother, then his wife and children, and burst into
tears. After a few moments Volumnia spoke as follows,
in the presence of the Volscian counsellors, who had
drawn near: "You see, my son, by our attire and
miserable looks to what a forlorn condition your
banishment has reduced us. Now ask yourself whether we
are not the most wretched of women,—Volumnia who
beholds her son and Vergilia her husband in arms
against Rome. Even prayer, whence others gain comfort
in misfortune, only adds to our distress, for we cannot
ask the gods at the same time for our country's victory
and your preservation. Your wife and children must see
either
[84] Rome or you perish. As for myself, I shall not wait for
war to decide, for if I cannot prevail with you to
prefer peace to hostility and become the benefactor of
both parties rather than the destroyer of one, rest
assured that you shall never reach your country unless
you trample upon the dead body of her who gave you
life. It would ill become me to wait for the day when
my son should come into Rome as the conqueror of his
fellow-citizens, or be led into it as their captive. If
I desired you to save your country by ruining the
Volscians the case would be hard, for it would be quite
as dishonorable to betray those who have put their
trust in you as to destroy your countrymen. All we ask
of you is a deliverance that will be most to the honor
of the Volscians, though equally beneficial to them and
to us. We ask of them the blessing of peace and
friendship, which their superiority enables them to
grant. If our petition meets with favor, you will be
regarded as the chief cause of it; if we are repulsed,
you alone must expect to bear the blame from both
nations. The chances of war are uncertain. If you
conquer Rome, you will have the reputation of having
undone your country, but if the Volscians are defeated
under you, all the world will say that to satisfy your
revenge you brought misfortune to your friends and
benefactors."
Marcius listened to his mother, but said not a word.
Wondering at his silence, she spoke again: "My son,
why are you silent? Is it an honor to yield everything
to revenge, and a disgrace to grant your mother so
important a petition? Does it become a great man to
remember injuries done him, and to forget the
reverence he owes his parents? Surely you, of all men,
should take care to be grateful who have suffered so
much from ingratitude. Yet you have not made your
mother the least return for her kindness and devotion.
The most sacred ties of nature and religion require you
to indulge me in this reasonable and just request, but
if it must be so, this only is left." She fell on her
knees at his feet, and Valeria and his children did the
same.
"Oh, mother, what is it you have done?" cried
Coriolanus, as he raised her from the ground and
tenderly pressed her hand. "You have gained a victory
fortunate for the Romans, but ruinous to your son! By
you alone am I defeated."
Although he knew that the Volscians would never forgive
him
[85] for granting a favor to their enemies, he broke up the
camp the next morning and led them homeward.
When the Roman matrons returned home all the temples
were thrown open, and people crowned themselves to
prepare for the sacrifices, as it was their custom to
do when news of a great victory was brought to them.
The extent of their rejoicing showed how great their
misery had been. The senate passed a decree that the
women who had saved their country should have any honor
or favor granted them that they chose to ask.
They simply demanded that a temple should be erected to
Female Fortune, offering to pay for it themselves if
the city would furnish the cost of sacrifices and other
matters necessary to do honor to the goddess.
The senate praised their generosity, but ordered the
temple to be built at the public expense. Then the
women set up a second statue of Fortune, which was said
to have uttered these words when placed: "O women! most
acceptable to the gods is your pious gift." We need not
believe that an image spoke, but the ancient Romans had
so much superstitious faith that they accepted many
improbabilities as facts.
When Marcius returned to Antium he was accused of
treachery by Tullus, who was jealous of his victories
and his fast-growing popularity. So when he stood up
before the public assembly to defend himself, Tullus
and his party cried out, "We will not listen to a
traitor! Volscians want no tyrant!" Amidst such
exclamations they set upon Marcius and killed him on
the spot.
In a subsequent battle with the Romans Tullus was
slain, and the Volscians became their subjects.
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