 In 318 BC the powers of the native officials (meddices) were limited by the appointment of officials with the title "praefecti Capuam Cumas" (taking their name from the most important towns of Campania); these were at first mere deputies of the "praetor urbanus", but after 123 BC were elected Roman magistrates, four in number; they governed the whole of Campania until the time of Augustus, when they were abolished.It was the capital of Campania Felix.In 312 BC, Capua was connected with Rome by the construction of the "Via Appia", the most important of the military highways of Italy.