Caius Martius (Fiennes) returns triumphant from vanquishing archenemy Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler) and the Volsces from their stronghold, Corioles, and takes on the name of this, his most famous victory.
Banished after a clash with the people's tribunes and a fickle mob, Coriolanus defects to the enemy camp, to his guerrilla rival, Aufidius, whom he admires, and prepares to sack Rome.