an ancient city in Campania, 4 km southeast of modern Capua.
Capua was founded in the sixth century b.c. by the Etruscans.After the Latin War of 340–338 b.c., it received from Rome theright to govern itself. At this time it occupied an important placein Italy in terms of wealth and prominence. In the first centuryb.c., the schools of gladiators at Capua were famous; Spartacuswas a gladiator in one of them. In a.d. 456, the city was laidwaste by the Vandals. From the beginning of the seventh centuryit was the center of one of the Lombard principalities making upBenevento. In 842 it was destroyed by the Arabs. A new city wasbuilt in 856. The modern city of Santa Maria Capua Vetere islocated on the site of ancient Capua.