INTRODUCTION

Campania, from the revolt of Capua in 216 to its surrender to the Romans in 211, was a decisive theatre of the Second Punic War. For Hannibal, the region would showcase his Italian strategy of eliciting allied revolts. He was able to win over the region's most important city, Capua, as well as a number of smaller towns. Moreover, since the Capuans possessed civitas sine suffragio, Hannibal managed to win over Roman citizens instead of exclusively allied peoples, as he had in Apulia. He also captured an important stronghold where the Via Appia crossed the Volturnus River (at Casilinum), allowing him potentially to march north into Latium. Even at the height of his power, however, Hannibal achieved only partial success, as a number of Campanian cities (including Naples, Cumae and Nola) remained loyal to Rome. Meanwhile, the Romans committed vast resources, usually four or six legions, to hold the line in Campania. Upon its recapture, Capua's punishment was severe, and Hannibal's ultimate failure to defend the city undermined his legitimacy vis-à-vis his remaining Italian allies and marked a major turning point in the war.

Rome's military response – its yearly commitment of multiple legions to Campania and the strategic placement of garrisons in key Campanian cities – accounts in large part for why Hannibal was unable to build on his initial success in the region.