Battle of Capua

First Battle of Capua
Part of the Second Punic War
Date 212 BC Location Capua, Italy Result Carthaginian victory
Belligerents
Carthage	Roman Republic
Commanders and leaders
Hannibal	Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, Appius Claudius Pulcher

The First Battle of Capua was fought in 212 BC between Hannibal and a Roman army. The Roman force was led by two consuls, Quintus Fulvius Flaccus and Appius Claudius Pulcher. The Roman force was defeated, but managed to escape.

Prelude

Capua had defected to Hannibal after the Battle of Cannae. Hannibal had made Capua his winter quarter in 215 BC. The Romans had not mounted any serious attampts at capturing Capua before 213/212 BC. The Roman army encamped near Capua, which had prompted the Capuans to appeal to Hannibal for aid. Hanno moved north from Bruttinum and collected provisions for Capua, but the Capuan authorities were late in providing the carts for carrying provisions. The Romans attacked Hanno's camp while most of his men were foraging, and captured it after initial setbacks. Hanno retired to Bruttinum, leaving the Romans in command of the situation.

Battle

The Numidians, along with the Capuan Cavalry, raided the Roman camp, causing some casualties. The Romans were waiting for Gracchus to reinforce them. Before he arrived, Hannibal moved into Campania, and encamped on Mount Tifata. The next day he offered battle, and the Romans accepted the challenge. The battle hung in the balance, and once the combatants saw dust rising from the south, both sides withdrew. The dust was caused by the cavalry force Gracchus was leading to reinforce the Roman army.

Aftermath

The Romans then withdrew, lifting the siege of Capua. Hannibal moved South, and defeated a Roman army under Marcus Centenius Penula in the Battle of the Silarus. The Romans, would again besiege Capua while Hannibal was away.

Reference: Cottrell, Leonard. Hannibal: Enemy of Rome. ISBN 0306804980.