Already four thousand years ago, the Assyrians living in the territory of present-day Iraq used chariots in battles, in which swift horses were harnessed. Chariots burst into clusters of enemies, causing horror and sowing death. Later, similar combat "machines" appeared among the Egyptians, Persians, Carthaginians, Romans, and Chinese. But can they be called the first tanks? No, of course. Unless predecessors. And in ancient India, war elephants were used. To protect against arrows, the sides and head of the animals were covered with chain mail. On their backs were also attached protected turrets, howds, in which there were soldiers.