The Second Battle of Capua was fought in 211 BC when the Romans besieged Capua. It is described by Polybius at 9.4-7, and by Livy at 26.4-6.
Hannibal tried to break the siege of Capua by marching on Rome. He had hoped that this threat would force the Romans to break off the siege and march back to Rome to defend it. Once the Roman army was in the open, he planned to engage the Romans in a pitched battle and defeat them once again. However Hannibal found the defences of Rome formidable and the Roman besiegers of Capua, knowing this, did not break off their siege. His feint having failed, Hannibal was forced to retreat south and Capua unrelieved fell to the Romans shortly afterwards.
