Travel Guide Santa Maria Capua Vetere

Ancient Capua was founded in the 7th century B.C. by the Etruscans, who made it an important commercial centre. Bronze vases and ceramics were made here. After its defeat against Rome, several rebellions broke out. Spartacus, who escaped from the gladiatorial school of Capua, formed a slave army that was able to stand up to the Roman legions, but the insurrection was suppressed in blood. The amphitheatre was built in the same period. In the Middle Ages, after the destruction of the city in 841, the centre of gravity moved to a meander of the Volturno river, where the present municipality of Capua is located.