# Coriolanus — Discourses on Livy character guide

> Coriolanus in Discourses on Livy by Niccolò Machiavelli.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Who they are

Roman patrician who turned against Rome after being exiled.

## In the story

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/vii)

His proposal to withhold corn from the plebeians incited popular fury; the tribunes' formal accusation prevented mob violence and potential civil strife.

### [Chapter XXIX: Whether a people or a prince is the more ungrateful](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xxix)

Mentioned as one who was banished for wrongs inflicted on the commons, but not forgiven due to persistent ill will.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xiii)

Banished from Rome, he led the Volscians against Rome but withdrew out of reverence for his mother.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/characters/coriolanus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/characters