where do these missions go?

well the roman republic rules all of Rome (but only owns the city of Rome) and they tell me who they like and or hate then send me off to do something like blockade a port or capture a city, and then reward me with powerful units of events like games to make the people happy.

oh, I though they got the elephants from Asia

The senate gives out missions to the leaders of Rome...somehting similar in M2TW.

They give you prises sometimes...the unit that is known to recruit elephants is Carthage...I think

correct but they are dead =D (i once killed rebel elephants with light infantry.)

how can elephants die with light artillery?

Many is the keyword Hassan.

yes they were like little bugs that swarm one big thing to kill it, i had them from a city without a gov i left on auto recruit and didn't want to waste them.... so i killed them all =D

ok...I get that...