Veturia

The Volscian army advanced towards Rome under Coriolanus, who had once served the city as a skilled and brave soldier. He had insulted the common people in public, and some Romans had accused him of seeking tyranny. When talk of putting him on trial spread, he fled Rome. He went to the Volscian camp and offered his services to Rome’s old enemies. They welcomed him, and they prepared a full-scale attack with his help.

The army’s approach threw Rome into dismay. The Romans had made no preparations for defence, and the city seemed to lie at the mercy of its enemies. The women went to the temples and prayed to the gods. The people demanded peace envoys, and the Senate sent five leading patricians to the Volscian camp. Coriolanus received them harshly. He refused peace unless Rome restored all the land and cities it had taken from the Volscians, made them citizens, and gave them the same rights as Romans. The envoys returned, and turmoil spread through the city.

Veturia then went to the Volscian camp with Volumnia and other Roman matrons. They confronted Coriolanus and persuaded him to withdraw his army from Rome. He ordered the Volscians to retreat. When their leaders demanded an explanation, he said that he would no longer help them destroy his homeland. The Volscian campaign fell apart without his help, and Rome no longer faced the same threat. The Volscians then executed Coriolanus for turning against them.