A Dictionary of the Book of Mormon/Coriantumr
CORIANTUMR. A descendant of Zarahemla, and, consequently, most probably of the tribe of Judah. Originally he was a Nephite, but like many others during the days of the Judges, he dissented and went over to the Lamanites. He was a man of commanding presence, of more than ordinary stature and brilliant parts, with a reputation for wisdom which his later course scarcely appears to warrant. Tubaloth, the son of Ammoron, king of the Lamanites, gave him high office, and when (in B. C. 51) the invasion of Zarahemla was determined upon, Coriantumr was placed in command of the vast and well armed host raised for that purpose.
At this time, through internal dissensions, the Nephites were weak and distracted. Their chief judge Pahoran had been slain the year previous by a hired assassin, and his brother Pacumeni had just been elected to fill the vacancy. Apparently matters were still in an unsettled state when Coriantumr suddenly made a rapid dash down the banks of the Sidon, through the most thickly populated portions of the Nephite territory. Everywhere the people were unprepared to withstand his progress, and so rapid was his advance that the Nephites had no time to gather their forces. He unexpectedly, through forced marches, reached the city of Zarahemla, cut down the weak guard at the entrance of the city, and, with his whole army, entered the capital of the Nephites in triumph. The chief judge of the republic, Pacumeni, attempted to escape, but was followed and captured at the city walls, where he was slain by Coriantumr.
The Lamanite general appears to have acted with great severity, if not cruelty, towards the citizens of the conquered city. He slew many, others were cast into prison, and he made himself undisputed master of all it contained.
This easy victory greatly emboldened Coriantumr. He determined to carry out the same maneuvres and, if possible, obtain command of the northern parts of the land. Therefore, leaving a portion of his forces to garrison Zarahemla, he marched rapidly northward at the head of a large army. The small bands of Nephite patriots who hastily gathered to oppose his progress were met in detail and overwhelmed. The number of their slain was very large.
Moronihah, the Nephite general, had anticipated that Coriantumr, following the usual custom of the Lamanite leaders, would first attack the most exposed and outlying cities, and consequently had there posted his armies of defense. Coriantumr's maneuvre was therefore a complete surprise to him, and it took some little time before he could gather his troops to do efficient service. In the meantime, the Lamanites continued their victorious march northward, capturing many cities, and slaying multitudes of men, women and children. Coriantumr's success so intoxicated him, that he became reckless, and lost his reputed wisdom and prudence, and neglected to keep up the line of communication in his rear. As he neared the land of Bountiful he was met by the veteran Lehi, who gave him battle. His former fortune forsook him and he was compelled to retire. While making his way as directly as he could towards Zarahemla, Lehi following in pursuit, he found himself confronted by the Nephite commander-in-chief, when a bloody battle ensued, in which Coriantumr was slain. The Lamanites were now in a most perplexing position, they were defeated and in the midst of the enemy's country, and so completely surrounded by the Nephites that there was no road open for retreat. They could take but one course, which was to surrender; this they did.
When Moronihah reoccupied the city of Zarahemla, he released the Lamanite prisoners and permitted them to return to their own land in peace. Thus ended a bloody and ineffectual campaign, and thus terminated the life of one of the most brilliant, if not the most successful, commanders that ever led the hosts of Laman.