More food, more people?
The mechanic with squalor reducing buildings isn't exactly new either. Been building a lot of those in Empire to make sure people don't rebel.
Though, so far I've thoroughly enjoyed making elephant steaks with my hoplites and archers with fire arrows.
Yeah I was shocked when I took down a Indian Elephant troop with fire javelins.. I was dreading the elephant charge then poof! a salvo of Javs and no elephants. Indian elephants are armored also. 🤔