1. Got a few questions about the history of War Elephants and their usage on the battlefields of antiquity.
First of all, which ancient Indian (this mounted army type was invented in India-right?) empire was first to use war elephants in significant numbers in a battle? Mauryan Empire?
Were there any differences between the battle fighting techniques of Indian, Siamese and Carthaginian war elephants and their riders?
Which Elephants did the Greek King Pyrrhus use in the battle of Heraclea? (Syrian ones?) Did the Greeks/Macedonians start using war elephants before the Carthaginians?
2. Why was Sicily so fiercely fought for by the Greeks and Carthaginians? Natural resources? wheat?
Were the Phoenicians the first founders of cities on the island?
Which Greek city states established their colonies on the island? Was Syracuse the grandest colony of them all?
Which side was more successful, the Carthaginians? or was it a stalemate?
Did the Romans ally themselves with Carthage first (against the Greek cities) and turned against Carthage after the Greeks were defeated?
When did the Romans gain full control of the island? before or after the capture of Carthage? Were there any Greek city states left on the island at the time?
First of all, which ancient Indian (this mounted army type was invented in India-right?) empire was first to use war elephants in significant numbers in a battle? Mauryan Empire?
Were there any differences between the battle fighting techniques of Indian, Siamese and Carthaginian war elephants and their riders?
Which Elephants did the Greek King Pyrrhus use in the battle of Heraclea? (Syrian ones?) Did the Greeks/Macedonians start using war elephants before the Carthaginians?
2. Why was Sicily so fiercely fought for by the Greeks and Carthaginians? Natural resources? wheat?
Were the Phoenicians the first founders of cities on the island?
Which Greek city states established their colonies on the island? Was Syracuse the grandest colony of them all?
Which side was more successful, the Carthaginians? or was it a stalemate?
Did the Romans ally themselves with Carthage first (against the Greek cities) and turned against Carthage after the Greeks were defeated?
When did the Romans gain full control of the island? before or after the capture of Carthage? Were there any Greek city states left on the island at the time?