(anciently Capree), a city and island at the entrance of the gulf of Naples. E. Long. 14° 50'. N. Lat. 40° 45'.—The island is only four miles long and one broad; the city is a bishop's see, and situated on a high rock at the west end of the island. Capree was anciently famous for the retreat of the emperor Tiberius for seven years, during which he indulged himself in the most scandalous debaucheries*. Before Tiberius came hither, Capri had attracted the notice of Augustus, as a most eligible retreat, though in sight of populous cities, and almost in the centre of the empire. His successor preferred it to every other residence; and in order to vary his pleasure, and enjoy the advantages as well as avoid the inconveniences of each revolving season, built 12 villas in different situations, dedicated to the 12 greater gods; the ruins of some of them are still to be seen: at Santa Maria are extensive vaults and reservoirs; and on an adjoining brow are the remains of a lighthouse; two broken columns indicate the entrance of the principal court. According to Dion Cassius, this island was wild and barren before the Caesars took it under their immediate protection; at this day a large portion of its surface is uncultivated and impracticable; but every spot that will admit the hoe is industriously tilled, and richly laden with the choicest productions of agriculture. The odium attached to the memory of Tiberius proved fatal to his favourite abode; scarce was his death proclaimed at Rome, when the senate issued orders for the demolition of every fabric he had raised on the island, which by way of punishment was thenceforward destined to be a state prison. The wife and sister of Commodus were banished to its inhospitable rocks, which were soon stained with their blood. In the middle ages Capri became an appendage of the Amalfitan republic, and after the downfall of that state, belonged to the duchy of Naples. There stood a pharos on this island, which, a few days before the death of Tiberius, was overthrown by an earthquake.