CHAP. 2. (2.)—WHEN ELEPHANTS WERE FIRST PUT INTO HARNESS.
The first harnessed elephants that were seen at Rome, were
in the triumph of Pompeius Magnus over Africa, when they
drew his chariot; a thing that is said to have been done long
before, at the triumph of Father Liber on the conquest of
India. Procilius[1] says, that those which were used at the
triumph of Pompeius, were unable to go in harness through
the gate of the city. In the exhibition of gladiators which
was given by Germanicus,[2] the elephants performed a sort of
dance with their uncouth and irregular movements. It was a
common thing to see them throw arrows with such strength,
that the wind was unable to turn them from their course, to
imitate among themselves the combats of the gladiators, and
to frolic through the steps of the Pyrrhic dance.[3] After this,
too, they walked upon the tight-rope,[4] and four of them would
carry a litter in which lay a fifth, which represented a woman
lying-in. They afterwards took their place; and so nicely did
they manage their steps, that they did not so much as touch
any of those who were drinking there.
1. Plutarch informs us, that Pompey had resolved to have his chariot
drawn by four elephants, but finding the gate too narrow, he was obliged
to use horses.—B.
2. See an account of this, and of the feats performed by the elephants, in
Ælian, Hist. Anim. B. ii. c. 11.—B.
3. The Pyrrhic dance has been referred to in the last Book, c. 57. p.
231. It is not improbable that the elephants employed in this dance were
caparisoned with armour.
4. However ill adapted the elephant may appear, from its size and form,
for this feat, we have the testimony of Seneca, Suetonius, Dion Cassius,
and Ælian, to the truth of the fact.—B.