The Romans had attempted to march on Capua several times since its defection but were thwarted by the return of Hannibal's army rushing to its defence.

In 212 BC, undeterred by the loss of some 16,000 men to Hannibal at the Battle of Herdonia, Rome made the capture of Capua their main priority and both consular armies were sent to besiege the city.

[5] While Hannibal was busy in the south of Italia, the Romans were employing innovative use of light-armed troops (velites) to ward off forays by the Capuan cavalry.

However, Hannibal found the defences of Rome too formidable for an assault and as he had only planned this movement as a feint, he lacked both the supplies and equipment for a siege.

In the aftermath Capua was severely punished by Rome: its magistrates and communal organization were abolished, and, while foreigners, freedmen and craftsmen remained intact,[10] the citizen inhabitants who weren't killed lost their civic rights, and its territory was declared ager publicus (Roman state domain).