Using crossbows, Song dynasty troops soundly defeat a war elephant corps of the Southern Han at Shao.

Crossbow

Bow-like ranged weapon

A crossbow is a ranged weapon using an elastic launching device consisting of a bow-like assembly called a prod, mounted horizontally on a main frame called a tiller, which is hand-held in a similar fashion to the stock of a long gun. Crossbows shoot arrow-like projectiles…

Song dynasty

Chinese imperial dynasty from 960 to 1279

The Song dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 960 to 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and went on to conquer the rest of the Ten Kingdoms, ending the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms…

History of the Song dynasty

The Song dynasty of China was an imperial dynasty that ruled most of China proper and southern China from the middle of the 10th century into the last quarter of the 13th century. The dynasty was established by Emperor Taizu of Song with his usurpation of the throne of Later…

War elephant

Elephant trained and guided by humans for combat

A war elephant is an elephant that is trained and guided by humans for combat purposes. Historically, the war elephant's main use was to charge the enemy, break their ranks, and instill terror and fear. Elephantry is a term for specific military units using elephant-mounted…

Southern Han

State in southern China (917-971) during the 5 Dynasties and 10 Kingdoms period

Southern Han (Chinese: 南漢; pinyin: Nán Hàn; Jyutping: Naam4 Hon3; 917–971), officially Han (Chinese: 漢), originally Yue (Chinese: 越; Jyutping: Jyut6), was a dynastic state of China and one of the Ten Kingdoms that existed during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. It was…