CHIETI, a city of the Abruzzi, Italy, the capital of the prov ince of Chieti, and the seat of an archbishop, 140 m. E.N.E. of Rome by rail, and 9 m. W. of Castellammare Adriatico. Pop. (193o) 20,234 (town), 34,085 (commune). It is situated at a height of 1,083 ft. above sea-level, 3 m. from the railway station, from which it is reached by an electric railway. It commands a splendid view of the Apennines on every side except the east, where the Adriatic is seen. It is an active modern town, upon the site of the ancient Teate Marrucinorum, the chief town of the Marrucini. Some scanty remains of the theatre, of a temple (?) and some large reservoirs exist. The Gothic campanile of the cathedral is fine. Close by is the town hall, which contains a small picture gallery. The de Laurentiis family possesses a private collection of some importance. To the north of Chieti is the oc tagonal church of S. Maria del Tricaglio, erected in 1317. The order of the Theatines, founded in 1524, takes its name from the city. Under the Lombards Chieti formed part of the duchy of Benevento; it was destroyed by Pippin in 801, but was soon rebuilt and became the seat of a count. The Normans made it the capital of the Abruzzi.