There was a lot of foolery involved in crossing the rivers on the way to the Alps. 

The animals were terrified of the water. The Carthagians scattered soil on their barges to give the illusion of solid ground. A cheap trick, but it was enough. With the beasts stood still, the rafts sailed across the Rhone with ease. 

But then, one by one, a grey tree-trunk leg would lift, their weight would shift, and panic set amongst the men. Some boats tipped. Others splintered and broke. 

Hannibal’s favourite elephant drowned a thousand miles from home, not knowing why the earth had broken beneath his feet.