v49_0001 - CAMPANIA - CAPUA Semuncia, (PB, Æ 18)

CAMPANIA - CAPUA

(216-211 BC)

Carthaginian occupation - Hannibal

The Samnites seized Capua in the 5th century BC They formed a community with the Etruscans and the Oscans. The term Campanian was first applied to the inhabitants of the city before becoming a generic term to designate the region according to Diodorus of Sicily (XII, 31, 1). The city entered the area of Roman influence in 338 BC. Coinage only began during the Second Punic War when Capua joined the Carthaginian camp after the Roman defeat at Cannae (216 BC). Hannibal resided there for five years falling on the charms of "the delights of Capua" doomed to inaction, without being able to seize Rome. Finally the city was taken by the Romans in 211 BC and was harshly punished for its betrayal. Colony in 83 BC, it obtained the right of city in 58 BC.