“Coriantumr was a descendant of Zarahemla, and consequently was most likely 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, … king of the Lamanites, gave him high office, and when (51 B.C.) the invasion of Zarahemla was determined upon, Coriantumr was placed in command of a vast host which was well armed and was raised particularly for that purpose.
“At this time through internal dissensions the Nephites were weak and distracted” (Reynolds and Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 5:194).