Complex sentence: The velites were used against the Carthaginian elephants in the Battle of Zama, after their signature javelin throw, they took cover behind the maniples, and sortied the elephants, quickly coming out from behind the troops and attacking the elephants, before retreating again.
Split into simpler sentences: The velites were used against the Carthaginian elephants in the Battle of Zama. After their usual javelin throw, the velites took cover behind the maniples, and then launched a sortie, quickly coming out from behind the troops and attacking the elephants, before retreating again.