The city was, according to Cicero, the altera Roma, the second Rome, and according to Titus Livy, the largest and richest of ancient Italy.

Saint Maria Capua Vetere, ancient Capua, ages ago extended over the flood plains at a bend of the river Volturno.

Archaeological investigation seems to indicated that it was founded by the Etruscans in the IX century B.C.; during the excavation in the sixties artefacts were found that are datable to the first iron age /900-850 B.C.): metal objects, mostly buckles, crockery of Greek origin and vases with geometric designs that were part of rich funeral furnishings. Today these finds are displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Capua, recently built, where important artefacts in bucchero (black clay) and works in bronze of Etruscan origin are conserved.

The economy of the city was based on agriculture, but artistic handcrafts also flourished (along with commerce with the Greek area of southern Italy favoured by the navigability of the river Volturno).

In the course of the V century B.C. Capua was conquered by the samnites and from that era the sanctuary of Diana Tifatina results, on the slopes of mount Tifata, a sacred place where the church of San Angelo in Formis was built in the II century, that conserves notable frescos by local artists, and it is where the stone sculptures portraying women called Capuan Mothers or Mater Matuta were found.

As a token of the important role of Capua during the Roman era it is the construction of the Appian Way in 312 B.C. realized to increase relations between Capua and Rome.

The city gave refuge and aid to Hannibal during the battle of Zama against Rome and with the defeat of Hannibal it was punished with the confiscation of its territory and the loss of the Roman citizenship. In 456 it was raided by the Vandals and after that underwent incursions by the Saracens and was abandoned by the population. It was rebuilt in 856 by the Longobards.

The enormous amphitheatre is from Roman times, the second largest of the empire, famous for its gladiator exhibitions of the capuan school whose most famous member was Spartacus, who started the slaves revolt of 73 B.C.

Near the amphitheatre is one of the best conserved temples dedicated to the cult of Mithras, a ancient divinity representing the god of light and truth, supporter of man in the fight against evil.