Tullus Aufidius

Also known as: Aufidius / Tullus · Family: Volsces · Role: Volscian leader · First appears: Coriolanus · Act I, Scene I

When the Volsces took up arms under him, Tullus Aufidius became Coriolanus’s declared enemy and rival. Coriolanus envied his nobility and wished he could be only him, while Aufidius swore that they would fight until one could do no more. At Corioles, they met in single combat; after repeated defeats, Aufidius renewed his deadly enmity, having fought Coriolanus five times.

In Antium, after Coriolanus was banished from Rome, Aufidius welcomed him as a friend and ally, gave him half his military commission, and allowed him to direct the attack against Rome. Together they led the Volscian campaign, devastating Roman territories, while Aufidius obeyed Coriolanus as though he were his officer. Coriolanus later revealed that Aufidius had once been his beloved in Rome, and when he abandoned the attack to make peace, he chose to return with Aufidius.

Aufidius then resolved to kill Coriolanus, blaming him for surrendering their victory. When Coriolanus returned as his soldier and presented the treaty with Rome, Aufidius publicly accused him of betraying the Volscian cause for his wife and mother. Aufidius and his conspirators killed Coriolanus before the assembled lords and people, then ordered a mournful procession and granted him a noble memory.