We now arrive at Beneventum. When the Via Appia was extended past Capua, this town took on additional importance as a trading center. Between 114 and 166 AD, an arch was built across the Via Appia to commemorate Trajan. This still exists today in excellent condition. There also exist a Roman theater, and remains of another triumphal arch. The theater was built during the reign of Hadrian and enlarged by Caracalla to seat 20,000 spectators.
The name of this town has an interesting story. An early Oscan settlement at this site had the name Malies. The Latin form of this name was Maleventum, a name which did not have a pleasant connotation. Literally the name means "bad breeze" or "not welcome - badly come." When the Romans established a colony on the site in 268 BC, they changed the name to the more pleasant Beneventum.
Capua