34. They aroused the elephants using grape and mulberry juices, to get them ready for battle.
35. They distributed the animals among groups of soldiers. With each elephant, they stationed one thousand infantry wearing armor and brass helmets. Five hundred select cavalry were also assigned to each animal.
36. The troops positioned themselves wherever the animal was. Wherever it went, they went; and they never left it.
37. Strong covered wooden towers were set on top of the elephants. Special harnesses were fastened on each animal. On each were four armed men who fought from there, and an Indian driver also.
38. The remaining cavalry were stationed on either side of the elephants, to harass the enemy while being protected inside the two flanks of the army.
39. When the sun shone on the gold and brass shields, the hills looked like they were on fire from their reflection and glowed like burning torches.
40. Part of the king’s army was spread out on the high hills, and some troops were on the plain. They held their ranks and steadily moved forward.
41. Everyone who heard the noise of marching feet and clanking arms trembled because the army was very large and powerful.
42. Nevertheless, Judas and his army went forth to do battle. Six hundred of the king’s soldiers died.