Julius Caesar’s Elephant
Caesar once crossed the Thames on the back of an animal previously unseen by Britons. Here, C.E. Stevens assesses just how much of a historical anomaly this pairing was.
If one wants to know where Julius Caesar crossed the Thames in 54 B.C., somewhere near Lambeth Bridge is the most likely answer and this is becoming common knowledge. That an elephant crossed with him is not common knowledge, and some people would say that this was just as well. But there is literary evidence for the elephant which I shall try to take seriously - and there may be other evidence, too.
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
