Battle of Zama

[Dutchhoplite]

Since it is pretty certain that his cavalry was both outnumbered and became disordered by the elephants I do not think a feigned flight is needed to explain the quick "rout" of his cavalry wings. Nor is a feigned flight very likely IMO.

Polybius only mentions that it was Hannibal's left flank that was disrupted by the out of control elephants. Besides, the drivers had the means of killing a rampaging elephant. I don't think the Carthaginian right was terribly hindered by the elephants but still they were send into quick flight. So they must have been horribly outclassed, outnumbered or ordered to give ground.