Capua
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Capua, Ancient: An ancient city in northern Campania. The date of its foundation by the Etruscans is uncertain although one tradition states it was 50 years older than Rome. That would put its foundation near the end of the 9th Century BC. Whatever the case, Capua grew to become one of the wealthiest cities in Italy, second only to Rome itself. Originally known as Vulturnum, after the nearby river Vulturnus (Volturno), its name was changed to Capua, supposedly in commemoration of Capys, one of the Trojan followers of Aeneas. According to another version of Capua’s foundation myth, Capys was not a Trojan but actually was the name of the Samnite chief who captured the city. The Roman historian Livy rejected both versions of the myth, explaining that Capua’s name simply derived from its location in a plain (campus). Capua remained the principal Etruscan city in southern Italy until 420 BC, when it was captured by Samnites. The population became a mixture of Ausonians, Oscans, Etruscans, and Samnites. These disparate ethnic groups were able to successfully integrate Capua’s prosperity continued. About 60 years later, however, Capua found itself threatened by a new Samnite invasion. Unable to defend their city, the Capuans placed themselves under the protection of the Romans in 343 BC. As a Roman protectorate, Capua was able to maintain its prosperity though at the expense of a certain measure of independence. Following the disastrous Roman defeat at Cannae in 216 BC, the Capuans shifted their support to Hannibal in the hope of gaining supremacy over Rome. These grandiose hopes were dashed by Rome’s quick recovery. Capua soon found that Rome was not going to tolerate its disloyalty. When the Romans retook the city in 211 BC, the Capuans lost much of their wealth, territory, and autonomy. A Roman prefect was now appointed annually to govern the city. In 59 BC, Julius Caesar established a colony here. Later, under Nero, Capua became the site of a veterans’ colony.
The modern town of Santa Maria Capua Vetere (CE) marks the true site of ancient Capua.