1 Maccabees 6:35-37

New Catholic Bible

³⁵ These beasts were distributed among the phalanxes. With each elephant there were stationed a thousand men arrayed in coats of mail, with bronze helmets. In addition, five hundred picked cavalry were assigned to each beast. ³⁶ They anticipated every move made by the elephant; wherever it went, they immediately accompanied it, never leaving its side. ³⁷ On each elephant, for its protection, and fastened to its back by a harness, was a strong wooden tower that held four soldiers who fought from that position, as well as an Indian driver.