He invaded Egypt with a very strong force, including soldiers in chariots and on elephants, as well as cavalry and a large fleet.

So he gave Lysias authority over half of his armed forces and war elephants. He gave him orders regarding what he wanted him to do, including the matter of the inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem.

The total number of his forces was one hundred thousand army troops and twenty thousand cavalry, with thirty-two elephants trained for war.

They aroused the elephants using grape and mulberry juices, to get them ready for battle.

Strong covered wooden towers were set on top of the elephants. Special harnesses were fastened on each animal. On each were four armed men who fought from there, and an Indian driver also.

The remaining cavalry were stationed on either side of the elephants, to harass the enemy while being protected inside the two flanks of the army.

They also defeated Antiochus the Great, king of Asia, who went to fight against them with one hundred twenty elephants, with cavalry, chariots, and a very large army. They crushed him,

Trypho captured the elephants and gained control of Antioch.