Casilinum

Casilinum was an ancient city of Campania, Italy, located where modern Capua now stands, approximately 29 km north of Naples. Probably founded around 600 BC by the Etruscans, its position at the junction of the Via Appia and Via Latina at their crossing of the Volturnus River gave it major strategic importance. During the Second Punic War, Hannibal captured the town in winter 216-215 BC after fierce resistance by troops from Praeneste and Perusia, but Roman forces recaptured it the following year. Caesar established a colony there in 59 BC, later renewed by Mark Antony. Remains of the Roman town lie buried some 25 feet below modern street level, including a still-standing three-arched Roman bridge.