Hannibal and the elephants

Where was he going?

Hannibal Barca went to Rome crossing the Alpes with 37 elephants. 

Why?

He do it to start the punic war. 

The army that accompaines him:

An infantry , sir, and the 37 elephants. (He goes with around forty thousand mens)

In my opinion:
Is  excessive that was with 37 elephants.

  Photo of Hannibal with the elephants.