Coriolanus, a Roman military leader, had been given this name after capturing the Volscian city of Corioli, when he restored his liberty to the leader of the enemy. Despite many later services to Rome, he was refused the consulship by the people, and this caused a resentment which rankled, with the result that the antagonism of the people to him grew more violent. Brought to trial by the Senate, he was banished, and defected to the Volscians, Rome's former enemies. He was warmly received and advised by them to make war against Rome, and he marched against his native city at the head of a Volscian army. Various embassies were sent to him by his frightened countrymen, but he was deaf to all pleas to save Rome until finally his mother Veturia and wife Volumnia came out to plead with him. He greeted them tenderly, but he remained for long relentless in his desire for vengeance. At last the entreaties of the two women caused him to withdraw his army. The women had saved Rome, and a temple to ‘Female Fortune’ was erected in thanksgiving. The Volscians, however, turned in anger against Coriolanus for his betrayal, and he was murdered in 488 bc before his trial could be held. The Roman matrons put on mourning for his loss.

Calderón's version of this theme is Las armas de la hermosura (Beauty's Weapons) (1652).