# Tullus Aufidius — Coriolanus character guide

> Tullus Aufidius in Coriolanus by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Aufidius, Tullus, great Aufidius, Your noble Tullus Aufidius

**First appearance:** 0000-coriolanus

## Snapshot

The Volscian commander who hates Coriolanus more than any man alive — and would rather be beaten by him than by anyone else.

## Who they are

Aufidius is Rome's mirror-image enemy: a general whose personal hatred of Coriolanus has become almost a form of devotion. He curses his own troops for yielding Corioli, retires to Antium, and lets it be known he would pawn his fortune to be called Coriolanus's vanquisher. That obsessive rivalry — equal parts loathing and admiration — makes him the one figure in the play who truly understands what Coriolanus is, and the one most dangerous when that understanding curdles.

## Relationships

### [Caius Marcius Coriolanus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/caius_marcius_coriolanus)

_rivalry_

Coriolanus and Aufidius are sworn enemies on the battlefield, but later form a tense alliance that ends in betrayal.

### [Sicinius Velutus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/sicinius_velutus)

_rivalry_

Sicinius and Aufidius are on opposite sides of the Roman-Volscian conflict, though they share a common enemy in Coriolanus.

### [Caius Marcius Coriolanus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/caius_marcius_coriolanus)

_rivalry_

Coriolanus and Aufidius are sworn enemies on the battlefield, but later form a tense alliance that ends in betrayal.

### [Caius Marcius Coriolanus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/caius_marcius_coriolanus)

_rivalry_

Coriolanus and Aufidius are sworn enemies on the battlefield, but later form a tense alliance that ends in betrayal.

### [Sicinius Velutus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/sicinius_velutus)

_rivalry_

Sicinius and Aufidius are on opposite sides of the Roman-Volscian conflict, though they share a common enemy in Coriolanus.

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Aufidius discusses Roman intelligence and prepares to lead the Volscian army, expressing a personal vow to fight Caius Marcius.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-vi)

Mentioned as the leader of the Antiates and the heart of the Volscian hope.

### [Scene VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-viii)

Fights Marcius but is assisted by Volscian soldiers, drawing Marcius's scorn.

### [Scene X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-x)

Bloodied and enraged, Aufidius swears to kill Marcius by any means, abandoning his former honor in emulation.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii)

Mentioned as the Volscian noble who will lead the war against Rome now that Coriolanus is banished.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Mentioned as the host of a feast for the nobles of Antium; Coriolanus seeks him out.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-v)

Welcomes Coriolanus, forgives past conflicts, and offers him command of half the Volscian army.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vi)

Aufidius is mentioned as leading the Volscian forces alongside Coriolanus, obeying his commands as if he were his officer.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vii)

Aufidius expresses jealousy and resentment towards Coriolanus's popularity among the Volscian troops, but bides his time, planning to eventually destroy him.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii)

Aufidius observes Coriolanus's rejection of Menenius, noting his 'constant temper.'

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii)

Observes Coriolanus's capitulation and privately plots to exploit this weakness for his own advantage.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-vi)

Leads the conspiracy against Coriolanus, accusing him of betrayal, and ultimately kills him, then shows remorse.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters/tullus_aufidius
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/coriolanus_se/characters