WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -” By most accounts Hannibal’s invasion force in 218 B.C., assembled in Spain, included 100, 000 men and 37 or 38 elephants.

Detailed explanation-2: -Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps in 218 BC was one of the major events of the Second Punic War, and one of the most celebrated achievements of any military force in ancient warfare.

Detailed explanation-3: -Even the smell of elephants could drive unprepared horses into a stampede. Starting the battle in a simple line in front of their own troops they could cause undisciplined and poorly trained cavalry lines to scatter in panic. They were also used to combat any elephants in the opposition’s ranks.

Detailed explanation-4: -Elephants were a key part of the Carthaginian forces throughout the Punic Wars. Most of the elephants that were used by Carthage were Loxodana cyclotis, sometimes called African Forest Elephants, and were slightly smaller than African Elephants that inhabit savannahs today.

Detailed explanation-5: -In a bold attempt to take the war directly to Rome, the Carthaginian general Hannibal marched an army across the Alps and into northern Italy. There is no real certainty of the size of force that Hannibal took with him, though estimates range from 20-40, 000 infantry, 6-12, 000 cavalry and 40 elephants.