Coriolanus Act 4.4.1

Scene 4.4.1

Antium

Coriolanus had never visited Antium in its peacetime. He had invaded Antium twice in the last wars. Despite the siege and bombardment, the people in Antium had learned how to endure and rebuild their homes. When Coriolanus reached there, after a reflective moment in the forest again after his encounter with the old man, he found himself awe by the city. It held no historical sites unless you consider grave yards are of importance; then it housed many heroes of Antium. It had however three beautiful bridges that crossed the river Antium which where it adopted the name. The south side of the city was before the river, and was the focus of the war. The people of Antium held their own for over three months fighting door to door with the Romans, before they were forced to retreat across. They did so after they destroyed the two of the three bridges, leaving one which they defended with their lives. The war came to an end before the Romans could cross over but the damages were paramount on both sides of the river. With the end of the war, the Antium river soon became a highway of barges and ships which would transport the produce to the nearby ports or cities upriver. One of the two bridges was rebuilt and opened to the city, while the third was near to completion. The people of Antium always boasted that they have the best skills men in bridge construction.

There was one historical site that had survived all the wars; the statue of Athena in the main square on the south side of the city. Minerva was the equivalent in the Roman side. The Goddess was known as the Goddess of handicrafts and arts. She was also of wisdom among many others. She was also revered by some as the Goddess of War. Both Volsces and Romans held her in high esteem, and her temples were never looted or entered in the wars. Even the bombardment of the city left her temples aside from its barrage.

“A Godly city is this Antrium. The city that I made thy widows; many an heir of these fair edifices before the war. Have I heard groans and drop? None then its best that it’s stayed that way, or the wives with spits and boys with stones would slay me.” Coriolanus knelt at the foot of the temple after he had sneaked into the city. He came not for the sights but to sight one he had sought for weeks then.

Tullus Audifius.

“Save you, my son.” A priest of the temples reached out to Coriolanus shoulder. “You seem to be in pain.”

Coriolanus looked to the priest. He wore the robe and held the pendant of the goddess on his chest. He could have been God sent, but then, Coriolanus was in search of answers.

“I seek where great Audifius lies. Is he still in Antium?”

“He is, my son. He feasts the leaders of the states at his home this very night.” The priest replied.

“Which is the direction to his house?  I beseech you to show me.”

“This here before you.” The priest pointed to the simple double level structure just before the square. The structure was small compared to the larger surrounding ones and with its simple design; it was dwarfed in design and made obscure.  It had the Volsces designated windows with the intricate designs that adhered close to the swans. So were the doors. The Volsces has a fascination with swans.

“Oh my Gods, thy slippery turns of events. We were once enemies and now soon to be sworn friends with one heart, whose hours, bed and meals and exercise are still together as in love. Un-separable by the hour, whose passions may break the sleep to take one of other. My birth place had banished me, and with my love upon this enemy, I will enter. If he slay me, he does fair justice, if he give me way, I will do his country service.” Coriolanus swore to the Gods in the skies of his feelings then and of his commitment.

He will serve whoever receives him.