Due to Hannibal’s trek across the Alps, Carthage has been remembered for its use of war elephants. So great was their love for these beasts that stables were built within the city's walls, large enough to house 400 elephants. They favoured North African elephants, a species thought to be smaller than their Indian and sub-Saharan African cousins, and use of the breed eventually drove it to extinction. As native stocks dwindled, Carthage started importing elephants for use in war; Hannibal’s favourite elephant Surus was believed to be from Syria.
