M. Vipsanius Agrippa

One question that has been puzzling me for a while is how an archer in antiquity was ordered to fire. The question is probably not limited to antiquity, but will stretch all the way through to the use of firearms. We currently use the order "Fire" when letting off firearms. Was this only a result of the move to firearms, or was the word used previously when bows were the main ranged weapons? (Can't see why it would be.) I don't suppose there would be any evidence in the primary sources as this would not be the kind of thing they would write down. Any help to stop stupid questions rattling around in my head would be appreciated. Cheers MVA

One thing I vaguely remember about the war elephants is that they were a north African breed that has since died out, smaller than your typical African elephant. Does anyone know if they were reducing in numbers during this period, thus making it more difficult to get the numbers to make their use worthwhile? MVA

Enter me please Cheers MVA

I have to go with Scipio and not for the reason that he defeated Hannibal as I haven't looked at Zama in any detail. It was Ilipa that did it for me. A stroke of utter genius. I like Caesar for his headless chicken act, rushing from place to place, continually having to pull his backside out of a fire, but I don't see him having done anything to match Scipio. The rest, I need to do some more research.