MeG

Mortem et Gloriam Army Lists => List Queries => Topic started by: Hail Colin on March 28, 2021, 04:05:17 PM

Title: Achaemenid Persian lists and Elephants
Post by: Hail Colin on March 28, 2021, 04:05:17 PM
Can anyone know why the Royal, Satrapal & later Achaemenid Persian army lists do not include any Elephants?
The Alex Macedonian list includes elephants, with a note 15 being captured after Gaugamela.
Title: Re: Achaemenid Persian lists and Elephants
Post by: lionheartrjc on March 28, 2021, 05:15:41 PM
Neither Herodotus or Xenophon mention elephants in Achaemenid Persian armies.  The 15 at Gaugamela took no part in the battle (they seem to have remained in the camp). 

Richard
Title: Re: Achaemenid Persian lists and Elephants
Post by: Jilu on March 29, 2021, 07:07:23 AM
In another tread :

Pyrrhus had about 20 elephants.  Alexander ruled parts of India with access to hundreds of elephants  Alexander had at least 60 elephants (admittedly he hadn't used them in battle) before meeting Porus and he captured the surviving elephants (out of 285) after Hydaspes.

Title: Re: Achaemenid Persian lists and Elephants
Post by: lionheartrjc on March 29, 2021, 07:47:11 AM
Quote from: Jilu on March 29, 2021, 07:07:23 AM
In another tread :

Pyrrhus had about 20 elephants.  Alexander ruled parts of India with access to hundreds of elephants  Alexander had at least 60 elephants (admittedly he hadn't used them in battle) before meeting Porus and he captured the surviving elephants (out of 285) after Hydaspes.

"Before meeting Porus".  He may have used some against the Malli after Hydaspes.

Richard
Title: Re: Achaemenid Persian lists and Elephants
Post by: Hail Colin on March 29, 2021, 04:01:55 PM
Thanks noted but if the elephants were in the camp that must have been in the army although not used for battle and if Alexander could use them in his army the Persians could have done the same.
Title: Re: Achaemenid Persian lists and Elephants
Post by: badhabum on March 29, 2021, 08:11:42 PM
Nellies for a LAP army  8)