enemy from that quarter. At the same time their army in Northern
Greece effectually engaged the attention of Philip. Thus two years
(214-212) passed without any material change in the situation of
affairs in Italy.

In 212, while the Carthaginians were in the extreme south of Italy,
besieging Tarentum, the Romans made strenuous efforts to recover
Campania, and especially Capua. Hannibal, learning the danger, marched
rapidly north, and failing to break through the lines which enclosed
the city, resolved to advance on Rome itself.

Silently and quickly he marched along the _Via Latino_ through
the heart of the territory of Rome, to within three miles of the city,
and with his vanguard he even rode up to one of the city gates. But no
ally joined him; no Roman force was recalled to face him; no proposals
of peace reached his camp. Impressed by the unmoved confidence of the
enemy, he withdrew as quickly as he came, and retreated to his head-
quarters in the South.

Capua fell in 211, and the seat of war, to the great relief of Rome,
was removed to Lucania and Bruttium. The punishment inflicted upon
Capua was severe. Seventy of her Senators were killed, three hundred
of her chief citizens imprisoned, and the whole people sold as slaves.
The city and its territory were declared to be Roman territory, and
the place was afterwards repeopled by Roman occupants.

Such was the fate of this famous city. Founded in as early times as
Rome itself, it became the most flourishing city of Magna Graecia,
renowned for its luxury and refinement, and as the home of all the
highest arts and culture.