Re:Elephants may be domesticating themselves
by nordsieck on Tuesday May 23, 2023 @12:08PM
(#36046339)
> Imagining a bunch of elephants charging a fortified position in formation, I think they'd win most battles through shock/fear factor alone.
Even trained war elephants weren't great, or at least that was the conclusion of the Romans once they had enough experience with them.
They might be enough to route civilians, but probably not anyone in the military. Soldiers used to be expected to walk into enemy canon and musket fire with discipline and good order.
Also, there were black powder elephant guns. Apparently 4-bore rifles were popular for both big game and birds.
Even trained war elephants weren't great, or at least that was the conclusion of the Romans once they had enough experience with them.
They might be enough to route civilians, but probably not anyone in the military. Soldiers used to be expected to walk into enemy canon and musket fire with discipline and good order.
Also, there were black powder elephant guns. Apparently 4-bore rifles were popular for both big game and birds.