Greeks and War Elephants

[L C Cinna]

Thanks Vortigern.

I didn't even know this battle to be honest. should have added that my statement only concerned battles during the Hellenistic periode and the Roman civil wars.

[hoplite14gr]

Anyone know if it's true that elephants were fed alcohol before battle to get them drunk and into a really bad (and very dangerous) mood? I've heard of elephants quite liking a tipple and going on the rampage in India.

[url:2bfjvk3u]http://www.beerchurch.com/odd.htm[/url]

Cheers.

Geting the elephants drank and also drugged by herbal fumes is atributed to a Ptolemy of Egypt. But I personally think it is a fairy tail.
Zoologists have alist of animals who like alcohol and elephants are included but I doubt if any sane person would like to gambe with a drunk uncontrollable 4 tonn mass on the rampage.
Kind regards
Stefanos

[Robert Vermaat]

I agree. Though you might get an elephnat drunk by feeding him overripe fruits or skiking his drink twisted:
Or maybe this:

[Tarbicus]

Lol wink:

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

Cheers.

[hoplite14gr]

Well we used to say that if you mess with the taxman you might must prove that you are not a pink elefant. Thanks Vortigern.
I will attach the image next time I deal with the IRS!!!!! :lol:
Kind regards
Stefanos

[Olaf The Viking]

I read the elephants were scarred of the squalling of the pigs. So they set the pigs on fire and release them towards elephants who panics.

[hoplite14gr]

Incendiary pigs used by the Aetolians in the Hellenistic period.
Bad idea! They run squealing at all directions wrecking havoc to the Aetolians too. I guess the term BACKFIRED must have been invented then.
Pigs are more useful to the army as bacon.

Kind regards
Stefanos

[Philhellene]

Tarbicus wrote:

Anyone know if it's true that elephants were fed alcohol before battle to get them drunk and into a really bad (and very dangerous) mood? I've heard of elephants quite liking a tipple and going on the rampage in India.

According to I Maccabees (6:34), Seleucids (they were very fond of elephants) used another methods:

And to the end they might provoke the elephants to fight, they shewed them the blood of grapes and mulberries.

[Arthes]

Just found this page.....about the subject in question...
http://monolith.dnsalias.org/~marsares/ ... lepha.html
regards
Arthes

[hoplite14gr]

Very good link Cristina.
Kind regards
Stefanos