SIENA 



known in Imperial Rome. They were brought to Italy 

 in the armies of Pyrrhus and Hannibal. They were 

 harnessed to the chariot of Pompeius Magnus at his 

 African triumph, and Germanicus gave an exhibition 

 of performing elephants, the account of which seems to 

 show that animal training has not advanced very much 

 since. One walked on a tight-rope ; four carried a fifth, 

 who with rather broad humour represented a sick woman 

 in a litter. At the end of the performance they took 

 their places at table amongst the guests, and reclined 

 upon the couches, doing so with such ease and precision 

 that they did not even jog the elbows of those who 

 were taking wine.^ 



1 Pliny, bk. viii. ch. it. 



55 



