CAPVA, a fortified city of Italy, in the province of Caserta, beautifully situated in a rich plain, on the left bank of the Volturno, about 18 m. n. of the city of Naples, with which it is connected by railway, It is a military station of the first class, its defenses having been greatly extended and improved by Vauban. As it is the only fortress which guards the approach to Naples from the n., it was regarded as one of the keys of the former kingdom of that name. The only objects of interest in the city are the cathe dral, with some splendid granite columns front ancient Casilinum, upon whose site C. was built in the 9th c.; the church of the Annenziata with some bas-reliefs; and the arch of the Piazza dei Giudiri, under which many ancient inscriptiona still exist. Pop. '71, 12,174.
The ancient Capua, which enjoyed a reputation for wealth and population second only to Rome and Carthage, was situated about 2 m. s.e. of the present city, where its ruins are still to be seen, its site being occupied by the modern town of Santa Maria di Capua. C. was founded by the Etruscans, under the name of Volturnam, as early, according to some authorities, as 800 B.C., and was the chief city of the twelve said to have been founded by them in this part of Italy. Its present name was derived from
the Samnites, who captured it in 423 B.C. After the battle of Canute, 213 the popular party opened the gates to Hannibal, whose army was greatly enervated by its luxurious winter-quarters here. The Romans obtained possession of the city in 211 ti.c. In the 5th c., A.D., C. was devastated by the Vandals under Genseric. It recovered its prosperity again to some extent, but it was totally destroyed by the Saracens in 840. The citizens, who had fled to the mountains, were induced by their bishop to return some 16 years later, and found the modern Capua. From the existing remains of the walls and fortifications of ancient C., it has been estimated that it had a circumfer ence of 5 or 6 miles. It had seven gates. Among the Roman antiquities, one of the most remarkable is the amphitheater, built of bricks, and faced with white marble. Well-preserved arches, corridors, and scats for spectators, still remain. It is calculated to have been capable of holding 60,000 persons, and must have been altogether one of the most magnificent buildings of the kind in Italy.