Born at Bologna to count Niccolò Caprara, he was a descendant of generals Raimondo Montecuccoli and Ottavio Piccolomini.He served under Charles V, Duke of Lorraine during the Dutch War at the Battles of Sinsheim, Enzheim, and Mulhouse where he was subsequently captured.Later released, Caprara would relieve the siege at Offenburg in 1677, before the war's end the following year.In 1683, during the Great Turkish War, Caprara would again return to the service of Charles of Lorraine against the Turkish advance into Hungary soon winning distinction after the siege and capture of Neuhaeusel from 7 July to 17 August 1685.At the start of the Nine Years' War, Caprara was appointed commander-in-chief of Imperial forces in northern Italy where, in 1692, he was involved in the campaign to capture the Dauphiné.
Count Aeneas Sylivius de Caprara
(Enea Silvio de Caprara),
imperial field marshal, engraving by G.G. Rossi
