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Document Details : Title: The Rise of the Sassanian elephant corps Subtitle: Elephants and the later Roman Empire Author(s): CHARLES, Michael B. Journal: Iranica Antiqua Volume: 42 Date: 2007 Pages: 301-346 DOI: 10.2143/IA.42.0.2017880 Abstract : The Sassanian Persians used elephants on various occasions against the armies of the Later Roman Empire. This article considers when elephants were first incorporated into the Sassanian army, why they were thought necessary, their deployment and equipment during the period in question, and the degree to which the Sassanian way of elephant warfare differed from that of neighbouring peoples. In addition, the paper proposes a close association between the use of elephants and Persian notions of kingship. Much emphasis is placed on the martial activities of Shapur II and the testimony of the Greek soldier-historian Ammianus Marcellinus. |
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