Pahlavan A.I.

[Magister Militum Titus Pullo]

I have played as the Romans, the Seleucids, the Ptolemys, the Averni and the Bactrians. In all those games, I've noticed that the Parthians never expand into Persia. I mean as the Seleucid faction, there wasn't any pressure to defend any eastern territories. Is it simply easier for nomad-based A.I. factions to assualt settlements with no defensive barriers?

I've just started playing as the Pahlava two weeks ago, and I targeted the Seleucid dominions in the south for the obvious benefit of access to superior infantry units. I've developed the routine of brigading cavalry (mostly horse-archers) together, and sending them to lands beyond my own frontiers to investigate th layout. Has anyone else done this as well? I know you can use diplomats, spies and assassins for just that reason, but I'm talking about large, mobile military expeditions operating within a thousand miles of your kingdoms borders as a pre-emptive or punitive measure. Just to massacre a couple of enemy field forces.

After conquering the Indian kingdoms last night, I was disappointed that I couldn't recruit elephants. Is there any place the Parthians can acquire elephants?