'Technically' elephants should murder 'Warband' style troops (Gaesatae/Galatians etc) IF they get into the middle of them.

Obviously there were exceptions, Ptolemy Keraunos did die falling from the back of an elephant when fighting the Galatians.....I wonder if the elephant lived?, but to quote an infamous saying.....these exceptions often prove the rule.

From a 'rock-paper-scissors' perspective these, often very deep, fighting by forward momentum and mutual cohesion, formations of troops (the majority of Gauls/Germans), who lack long spears/pikes would seem to be the perfect target (other than cavalry for obvious reasons) for a rampaging line of elephants.

Most 'records' that I've read emphasis the fear these very large animals caused in the 'barbarians'. Even a drug crazed loon can see that he's facing up to an 8+' tall leviathan that doesn't necessarily fit into his 'hazy' recollection of a heroic duel.....

Cheers,

Quilts