GAETA, the ancient Caieta, a strongly fortified seaport-town of Naples, province of Terra di Lavoro, at the extremity of a peninsula forming the N.W. boundary of the gulf of Gaeta, 40 miles N.W. of Naples. The ancient town is said to have derived its name from Caieta the nurse of Æneas, who, according to Virgil and others, was buried here. The port became early an important shipping station, and Cicero describes it as being in his time "portus celeberrimus et plenissimus narium". The neighbourhood, too, became a favourite place of resort with the Romans, and the coast between Caieta and Formiae, about four miles distant, was studded with numerous elegant villas. The town, however, seems to have been an inconsiderable place up to the time of Antoninus Pius, by whom it, together with the port, was much improved. After the fall of the western empire it for some time enjoyed a republican form of government, and was afterwards governed by dukes, who acknowledged the temporal supremacy of the pope. In 1435 it was taken by Alphonso V. of Aragon, and since that time it has belonged to the crown of Naples. It has sustained several remarkable sieges; in modern times may be mentioned those of 1702, 1734, and 1806. In 1815 and 1821 it held out for some time against the Austrians. The palace of the governor was for some time the residence of Pope Pius IX. after his flight from Rome in 1849. Of the ancient city the remains comprised a temple and aqueduct. The most interesting, however, is the sepulchre of L. Munatius Plancus, called Torre di Orlando, which stands on the highest part of the isthmus connecting the citadel with the mainland. It is of a circular form, in excellent preservation, and retains its inscription uninjured. Mola di Gaeta occupies the site of the ancient Formiae, where Cicero had a favourite villa, and where he was put to death by order of Antony. Gaeta is surrounded by walls flanked by bastions and redoubts, and defended by a castle. It is the see of an archbishop, and has a fine cathedral, several other churches and convents, a public seminary, hospital, and founding asylum. It has a considerable trade, and the port is one of the best in Italy. Pop. (exclusive of the garrison) about 10,000, of whom nearly three-fourths are in the suburbs.