Cominius

Family: Rome · Role: general · First appears: Coriolanus · Act I, Scene I

As general of Rome, Cominius is ordered to lead Coriolanus in the war against the Volsces, while Titus Lartius is told to follow him. At Corioles, he accepts Coriolanus’s request to be sent directly against Tullus Aufidius, and Coriolanus rallies volunteers for the attack. Their bond is grounded in shared battle and vows “To endure friends,” marking Cominius as Coriolanus’s patron and friend.

After Coriolanus’s victory, Cominius offers him a tenth share of the treasure, but Coriolanus refuses it. Cominius instead gives him his war horse and equipment, grants freedom to his impoverished host, and names him Coriolanus before the army.

When Coriolanus is banished, Cominius pledges to accompany him for a month and help find him refuge. Yet when he later appeals to him, Coriolanus refuses to recognize him—“He would not seem to know me”—and sends Rome his conditions in writing.