Capua

After a trip of 132 miles (if you're coming from Rome), you have arrived at this beautiful site where many Roman patricians had summer villas. Capua was also one end of the stretch of the Appian Way along which those slaves who had joined the revolt of Spartacus were crucified. The string of crucifixes ran the entire length of the road from Rome to Capua.

Shortly before arriving at Beneventum we cross a river valley that created a pass between two mountains. It was here in the Caudine Forks, in 321 BC, that a Roman army had been trapped. The army surrendered to the Samnite commander, Gavius Pontius. The Roman soldiers were forced to pass beneath the yoke, a disgrace that Romans did not forget.

To go to Rome, head towards Tarracina. Or you can head south to Pompeii or keep traveling the Appian Way towards Beneventum.