Ash,

I'm not sure Hannibal did expect the Elephants to win anything.  I think this is
more of a Roman slant on their superiorty, and the backwardness of the
Carthaginians - using Elephants, of all things, how quaint.

I think Hannibal expected the Elephants to soak up a bit of Roman energy, and
the next wave of Celts to do the same - that should exhaust the Hastatii. 
Then his levies were to go in and wear down the Principes a little. 
All expendable troops - and I think a good case for being non key or half BP  in
this scenario.
Finally,  his veterans would beat the Triarii and the already tired principes,
and that would be the battle won. 

He expected parity on the flanks with his cavalry, of course - he did know know
about the Numidians fighting with the Romans until the battle started - and nor
did he expect the Triarii to come around the flanks of the Roman line.  Had he
done so, he may well have put the elephants out forther to the wings

What he didn't expect, however was the elephants and expendables to try to fight
their way through his own men to get the heck out of there when it went wrong.

That's how I see it, anyway (and hence, why its a much more interesting battle
to look than some others).

Mark

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