War Elephant (Civ3)/Civilopedia

The war elephant was first used in India and was known to the Persians by the 4th Century BC. Using war elephants,
Chandra Gupta defeated Alexander's successor Seleucus and established the Mauryan Empire. Though Carthage's African 
war elephants accomplished little subsequently, their presence in Hannibal's army during his transit of the Alps 
into the heart of Rome in 218 BC established their reputation as a fearsome weapon. The elephant's tactical 
importance apparently stemmed in large part from its willingness to charge both foot soldiers and cavalry and from 
the panic that it inspired. Although used in Indian military forces until the 20th Century, as with so many 
traditional weapons, the utility of elephants in war ended with the widespread use of gunpowder.