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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/2995-h.zip b/2995-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8eb357b --- /dev/null +++ b/2995-h.zip diff --git a/2995-h/2995-h.htm b/2995-h/2995-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3835dc0 --- /dev/null +++ b/2995-h/2995-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1551 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Tacitus on Germany + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Tacitus on Germany, by Tacitus + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tacitus on Germany + +Author: Tacitus + +Translator: Thomas Gordon + +Release Date: April 3, 2006 [EBook #2995] +Last Updated: February 7, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TACITUS ON GERMANY *** + + + + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers; David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + TACITUS ON GERMANY + </h1> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translated by Thomas Gordon + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + PREPARER'S NOTE + + This text was prepared from a 1910 edition, published + by P. F. Collier & Son Company, New York. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> INTRODUCTORY NOTE </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <big><b>TACITUS ON GERMANY</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + INTRODUCTORY NOTE + </h2> + <p> + The dates of the birth and death of Tacitus are uncertain, but it is + probable that he was born about 54 A. D. and died after 117. He was a + contemporary and friend of the younger Pliny, who addressed to him some of + his most famous epistles. Tacitus was apparently of the equestrian class, + was an advocate by training, and had a reputation as an orator, though + none of his speeches has survived. He held a number of important public + offices, and married the daughter of Agricola, the conqueror of Britain, + whose life he wrote. + </p> + <p> + The two chief works of Tacitus, the "Annals" and the "Histories," covered + the history of Rome from the death of Augustus to A. D. 96; but the + greater part of the "Histories" is lost, and the fragment that remains + deals only with the year 69 and part of 70. In the "Annals" there are + several gaps, but what survives describes a large part of the reigns of + Tiberius, Claudius, and Nero. His minor works, besides the life of + Agricola, already mentioned, are a "Dialogue on Orators" and the account + of Germany, its situation, its inhabitants, their character and customs, + which is here printed. + </p> + <p> + Tacitus stands in the front rank of the historians of antiquity for the + accuracy of his learning, the fairness of his judgments, the richness, + concentration, and precision of his style. His great successor, Gibbon, + called him a "philosophical historian, whose writings will instruct the + last generations of mankind"; and Montaigne knew no author "who, in a work + of history, has taken so broad a view of human events or given a more just + analysis of particular characters." + </p> + <p> + The "Germany" is a document of the greatest interest and importance, since + it gives us by far the most detailed account of the state of culture among + the tribes that are the ancestors of the modern Teutonic nations, at the + time when they first came into account with the civilization of the + Mediterranean. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TACITUS ON GERMANY + </h2> + <p> + The whole of Germany is thus bounded; separated from Gaul, from Rhoetia + and Pannonia, by the rivers Rhine and Danube; from Sarmatia and Dacia by + mutual fear, or by high mountains: the rest is encompassed by the ocean, + which forms huge bays, and comprehends a tract of islands immense in + extent: for we have lately known certain nations and kingdoms there, such + as the war discovered. The Rhine rising in the Rhoetian Alps from a summit + altogether rocky and perpendicular, after a small winding towards the + west, is lost in the Northern Ocean. The Danube issues out of the mountain + Abnoba, one very high but very easy of ascent, and traversing several + nations, falls by six streams into the Euxine Sea; for its seventh channel + is absorbed in the Fenns. + </p> + <p> + The Germans, I am apt to believe, derive their original from no other + people; and are nowise mixed with different nations arriving amongst them: + since anciently those who went in search of new dwellings, travelled not + by land, but were carried in fleets; and into that mighty ocean so + boundless, and, as I may call it, so repugnant and forbidding, ships from + our world rarely enter. Moreover, besides the dangers from a sea + tempestuous, horrid and unknown, who would relinquish Asia, or Africa, or + Italy, to repair to Germany, a region hideous and rude, under a rigorous + climate, dismal to behold or to manure [to cultivate] unless the same were + his native country? In their old ballads (which amongst them are the only + sort of registers and history) they celebrate <i>Tuisto</i>, a God sprung + from the earth, and <i>Mannus</i> his son, as the fathers and founders of + the nation. To <i>Mannus</i> they assign three sons, after whose names so + many people are called; the Ingaevones, dwelling next the ocean; the + Herminones, in the middle country; and all the rest, Instaevones. Some, + borrowing a warrant from the darkness of antiquity, maintain that the God + had more sons, that thence came more denominations of people, the + Marsians, Gambrians, Suevians, and Vandalians, and that these are the + names truly genuine and original. For the rest, they affirm Germany to be + a recent word, lately bestowed: for that those who first passed the Rhine + and expulsed the Gauls, and are now named Tungrians, were then called + Germans: and thus by degrees the name of a tribe prevailed, not that of + the nation; so that by an appellation at first occasioned by terror and + conquest, they afterwards chose to be distinguished, and assuming a name + lately invented were universally called <i>Germans</i>. + </p> + <p> + They have a tradition that Hercules also had been in their country, and + him above all other heroes they extol in their songs when they advance to + battle. Amongst them too are found that kind of verses by the recital of + which (by them called <i>Barding</i>) they inspire bravery; nay, by such + chanting itself they divine the success of the approaching fight. For, + according to the different din of the battle they urge furiously, or + shrink timorously. Nor does what they utter, so much seem to be singing as + the voice and exertion of valour. They chiefly study a tone fierce and + harsh, with a broken and unequal murmur, and therefore apply their shields + to their mouths, whence the voice may by rebounding swell with greater + fulness and force. Besides there are some of opinion, that Ulysses, whilst + he wandered about in his long and fabulous voyages, was carried into this + ocean and entered Germany, and that by him Asciburgium was founded and + named, a city at this day standing and inhabited upon the bank of the + Rhine: nay, that in the same place was formerly found an altar dedicated + to Ulysses, with the name of his father Laertes added to his own, and that + upon the confines of Germany and Rhoetia are still extant certain + monuments and tombs inscribed with Greek characters. Traditions these + which I mean not either to confirm with arguments of my own or to refute. + Let every one believe or deny the same according to his own bent. + </p> + <p> + For myself, I concur in opinion with such as suppose the people of Germany + never to have mingled by inter-marriages with other nations, but to have + remained a people pure, and independent, and resembling none but + themselves. Hence amongst such a mighty multitude of men, the same make + and form is found in all, eyes stern and blue, yellow hair, huge bodies, + but vigorous only in the first onset. Of pains and labour they are not + equally patient, nor can they at all endure thrift and heat. To bear + hunger and cold they are hardened by their climate and soil. + </p> + <p> + Their lands, however somewhat different in aspect, yet taken all together + consist of gloomy forests or nasty marshes; lower and moister towards + Noricum and Pannonia; very apt to bear grain, but altogether unkindly to + fruit trees; abounding in flocks and herds, but generally small of growth. + Nor even in their oxen is found the usual stateliness, no more than the + natural ornaments and grandeur of head. In the number of their herds they + rejoice; and these are their only, these their most desirable riches. + Silver and gold the Gods have denied them, whether in mercy or in wrath, I + am unable to determine. Yet I would not venture to aver that in Germany no + vein of gold or silver is produced; for who has ever searched? For the use + and possession, it is certain they care not. Amongst them indeed are to be + seen vessels of silver, such as have been presented to their Princes and + Ambassadors, but holden in no other esteem than vessels made of earth. The + Germans however adjoining to our frontiers value gold and silver for the + purposes of commerce, and are wont to distinguish and prefer certain of + our coins. They who live more remote are more primitive and simple in + their dealings, and exchange one commodity for another. The money which + they like is the old and long known, that indented [with milled edges], or + that impressed with a chariot and two horses. Silver too is what they seek + more than gold, from no fondness or preference, but because small pieces + are more ready in purchasing things cheap and common. + </p> + <p> + Neither in truth do they abound in iron, as from the fashion of their + weapons may be gathered. Swords they rarely use, or the larger spear. They + carry javelins or, in their own language, <i>framms</i>, pointed with a + piece of iron short and narrow, but so sharp and manageable, that with the + same weapon they can fight at a distance or hand to hand, just as need + requires. Nay, the horsemen also are content with a shield and a javelin. + The foot throw likewise weapons missive, each particular is armed with + many, and hurls them a mighty space, all naked or only wearing a light + cassock. In their equipment they show no ostentation; only that their + shields are diversified and adorned with curious colours. With coats of + mail very few are furnished, and hardly upon any is seen a headpiece or + helmet. Their horses are nowise signal either in fashion or in fleetness; + nor taught to wheel and bound, according to the practice of the Romans: + they only move them forward in a line, or turn them right about, with such + compactness and equality that no one is ever behind the rest. To one who + considers the whole it is manifest, that in their foot their principal + strength lies, and therefore they fight intermixed with the motions and + engagements of the cavalry. So that the infantry are elected from amongst + the most robust of their youth, and placed in front of the army. The + number to be sent is also ascertained, out of every village <i>an hundred</i>, + and by this very name they continue to be called at home, <i>those of the + hundred band</i>: thus what was at first no more than a number, becomes + thenceforth a title and distinction of honour. In arraying their army, + they divide the whole into distinct battalions formed sharp in front. To + recoil in battle, provided you return again to the attack, passes with + them rather for policy than fear. Even when the combat is no more than + doubtful, they bear away the bodies of their slain. The most glaring + disgrace that can befall them, is to have quitted their shield; nor to one + branded with such ignominy is it lawful to join in their sacrifices, or to + enter into their assemblies; and many who had escaped in the day of + battle, have hanged themselves to put an end to this their infamy. + </p> + <p> + In the choice of kings they are determined by the splendour of their race, + in that of generals by their bravery. Neither is the power of their kings + unbounded or arbitrary: and their generals procure obedience not so much + by the force of their authority as by that of their example, when they + appear enterprising and brave, when they signalise themselves by courage + and prowess; and if they surpass all in admiration and pre-eminence, if + they surpass all at the head of an army. But to none else but the Priests + is it allowed to exercise correction, or to inflict bonds or stripes. Nor + when the Priests do this, is the same considered as a punishment, or + arising from the orders of the general, but from the immediate command of + the Deity, Him whom they believe to accompany them in war. They therefore + carry with them when going to fight, certain images and figures taken out + of their holy groves. What proves the principal incentive to their valour + is, that it is not at random nor by the fortuitous conflux of men that + their troops and pointed battalions are formed, but by the conjunction of + whole families, and tribes of relations. Moreover, close to the field of + battle are lodged all the nearest and most interesting pledges of nature. + Hence they hear the doleful howlings of their wives, hence the cries of + their tender infants. These are to each particular the witnesses whom he + most reverences and dreads; these yield him the praise which affect him + most. Their wounds and maims they carry to their mothers, or to their + wives, neither are their mothers or wives shocked in telling, or in + sucking their bleeding sores. Nay, to their husbands and sons whilst + engaged in battle, they administer meat and encouragement. + </p> + <p> + In history we find, that some armies already yielding and ready to fly, + have been by women restored, through their inflexible importunity and + entreaties, presenting their breasts, and showing their impending + captivity; an evil to the Germans then by far most dreadful when it + befalls their women. So that the spirit of such cities as amongst their + hostages are enjoined to send their damsels of quality, is always engaged + more effectually than that of others. They even believe them endowed with + something celestial and the spirit of prophecy. Neither do they disdain to + consult them, nor neglect the responses which they return. In the reign of + the deified Vespasian, we have seen <i>Veleda</i> for a long time, and by + many nations, esteemed and adored as a divinity. In times past they + likewise worshipped <i>Aurinia</i> and several more, from no complaisance + or effort of flattery, nor as Deities of their own creating. + </p> + <p> + Of all the Gods, Mercury is he whom they worship most. To him on certain + stated days it is lawful to offer even human victims. Hercules and Mars + they appease with beasts usually allowed for sacrifice. Some of the + Suevians make likewise immolations to <i>Isis</i>. Concerning the cause + and original of this foreign sacrifice I have found small light; unless + the figure of her image formed like a galley, show that such devotion + arrived from abroad. For the rest, from the grandeur and majesty of beings + celestial, they judge it altogether unsuitable to hold the Gods enclosed + within walls, or to represent them under any human likeness. They + consecrate whole woods and groves, and by the names of the Gods they call + these recesses; divinities these, which only in contemplation and mental + reverence they behold. + </p> + <p> + To the use of lots and auguries, they are addicted beyond all other + nations. Their method of divining by lots is exceeding simple. From a tree + which bears fruit they cut a twig, and divide it into two small pieces. + These they distinguish by so many several marks, and throw them at random + and without order upon a white garment. Then the Priest of the community, + if for the public the lots are consulted, or the father of a family if + about a private concern, after he has solemnly invoked the Gods, with eyes + lifted up to heaven, takes up every piece thrice, and having done thus + forms a judgment according to the marks before made. If the chances have + proved forbidding, they are no more consulted upon the same affair during + the same day; even when they are inviting, yet, for confirmation, the + faith of auguries too is tried. Yea, here also is the known practice of + divining events from the voices and flight of birds. But to this nation it + is peculiar, to learn presages and admonitions divine from horses also. + These are nourished by the State in the same sacred woods and grooves, all + milk-white and employed in no earthly labour. These yoked in the holy + chariot, are accompanied by the Priest and the King, or the Chief of the + community, who both carefully observed his actions and neighing. Nor in + any sort of augury is more faith and assurance reposed, not by the + populace only, but even by the nobles, even by the Priests. These account + themselves the ministers of the Gods, and the horses privy to his will. + They have likewise another method of divination, whence to learn the issue + of great and mighty wars. From the nation with whom they are at war they + contrive, it avails not how, to gain a captive: him they engage in combat + with one selected from amongst themselves, each armed after the manner of + his country, and according as the victory falls to this or to the other, + gather a presage of the whole. + </p> + <p> + Affairs of smaller moment the chiefs determine: about matters of higher + consequence the whole nation deliberates; yet in such sort, that whatever + depends upon the pleasure and decision of the people, is examined and + discussed by the chiefs. Where no accident or emergency intervenes, they + assemble upon stated days, either, when the moon changes, or is full: + since they believe such seasons to be the most fortunate for beginning all + transactions. Neither in reckoning of time do they count, like us, the + number of days but that of nights. In this style their ordinances are + framed, in this style their diets appointed; and with them the night seems + to lead and govern the day. From their extensive liberty this evil and + default flows, that they meet not at once, nor as men commanded and afraid + to disobey; so that often the second day, nay often the third, is consumed + through the slowness of the members in assembling. They sit down as they + list, promiscuously, like a crowd, and all armed. It is by the Priests + that silence is enjoined, and with the power of correction the Priests are + then invested. Then the King or Chief is heard, as are others, each + according to his precedence in age, or in nobility, or in warlike renown, + or in eloquence; and the influence of every speaker proceeds rather from + his ability to persuade than from any authority to command. If the + proposition displease, they reject it by an inarticulate murmur: if it be + pleasing, they brandish their javelins. The most honourable manner of + signifying their assent, is to express their applause by the sound of + their arms. + </p> + <p> + In the assembly it is allowed to present accusations, and to prosecute + capital offences. Punishments vary according to the quality of the crime. + Traitors and deserters they hang upon trees. Cowards, and sluggards, and + unnatural prostitutes they smother in mud and bogs under an heap of + hurdles. Such diversity in their executions has this view, that in + punishing of glaring iniquities, it behooves likewise to display them to + sight; but effeminacy and pollution must be buried and concealed. In + lighter transgressions too the penalty is measured by the fault, and the + delinquents upon conviction are condemned to pay a certain number of + horses or cattle. Part of this mulct accrues to the King or to the + community, part to him whose wrongs are vindicated, or to his next + kindred. In the same assemblies are also chosen their chiefs or rulers, + such as administer justice in their villages and boroughs. To each of + these are assigned an hundred persons chosen from amongst the populace, to + accompany and assist him, men who help him at once with their authority + and their counsel. + </p> + <p> + Without being armed they transact nothing, whether of public or private + concernment. But it is repugnant to their custom for any man to use arms, + before the community has attested his capacity to wield them. Upon such + testimonial, either one of the rulers, or his father, or some kinsman + dignify the young man in the midst of the assembly, with a shield and + javelin. This amongst them is the <i>manly robe</i>, this first degree of + honour conferred upon their youth. Before this they seem no more than part + of a private family, but thenceforward part of the Commonweal. The + princely dignity they confer even upon striplings, whose race is eminently + noble, or whose fathers have done great and signal services to the State. + For about the rest, who are more vigorous and long since tried, they crowd + to attend; nor is it any shame to be seen amongst the followers of these. + Nay, there are likewise degrees of followers, higher or lower, just as he + whom they follow judges fit. Mighty too is the emulation amongst these + followers, of each to be first in favour with his Prince; mighty also the + emulation of the Princes, to excel in the number and valour of followers. + This is their principal state, this their chief force, to be at all times + surrounded with a huge band of chosen young men, for ornament and glory in + peace, for security and defence in war. Nor is it amongst his own people + only, but even from the neighbouring communities, that any of their + Princes reaps so much renown and a name so great, when he surpasses in the + number and magnanimity of his followers. For such are courted by + Embassies, and distinguished with presents, and by the terror of their + fame alone often dissipate wars. + </p> + <p> + In the day of battle, it is scandalous to the Prince to be surpassed in + feats of bravery, scandalous to his followers to fail in matching the + bravery of the Prince. But it is infamy during life, and indelible + reproach, to return alive from a battle where their Prince was slain. To + preserve their Prince, to defend him, and to ascribe to his glory all + their own valorous deeds, is the sum and most sacred part of their oath. + The Princes fight for victory; for the Prince his followers fight. Many of + the young nobility, when their own community comes to languish in its + vigour by long peace and inactivity, betake themselves through impatience + in other States which then prove to be in war. For, besides that this + people cannot brook repose, besides that by perilous adventures they more + quickly blazon their fame, they cannot otherwise than by violence and war + support their huge train of retainers. For from the liberality of their + Prince, they demand and enjoy that <i>war-horse</i> of theirs, with that + <i>victorious javelin</i> dyed in the blood of their enemies. In the place + of pay, they are supplied with a daily table and repasts; though grossly + prepared, yet very profuse. For maintaining such liberality and + munificence, a fund is furnished by continual wars and plunder. Nor could + you so easily persuade them to cultivate the ground, or to await the + return of the seasons and produce of the year, as to provoke the foe and + to risk wounds and death: since stupid and spiritless they account it, to + acquire by their sweat what they can gain by their blood. + </p> + <p> + Upon any recess from war, they do not much attend the chase. Much more of + their time they pass in indolence, resigned to sleep and repasts. All the + most brave, all the most warlike, apply to nothing at all; but to their + wives, to the ancient men, and to even the most impotent domestic, trust + all the care of their house, and of their lands and possessions. They + themselves loiter. Such is the amazing diversity of their nature, that in + the same men is found so much delight in sloth, with so much enmity to + tranquillity and repose. The communities are wont, of their own accord and + man by man, to bestow upon their Princes a certain number of beasts, or a + certain portion of grain; a contribution which passes indeed for a mark of + reverence and honour, but serves also to supply their necessities. They + chiefly rejoice in the gifts which come from the bordering countries, such + as are sent not only by particulars but in the name of the State; curious + horses, splendid armour, rich harness, with collars of silver and gold. + Now too they have learnt, what we have taught them, to receive money. + </p> + <p> + That none of the several people in Germany live together in cities, is + abundantly known; nay, that amongst them none of their dwellings are + suffered to be contiguous. They inhabit apart and distinct, just as a + fountain, or a field, or a wood happened to invite them to settle. They + raise their villages in opposite rows, but not in our manner with the + houses joined one to another. Every man has a vacant space quite round his + own, whether for security against accidents from fire, or that they want + the art of building. With them in truth, is unknown even the use of mortar + and of tiles. In all their structures they employ materials quite gross + and unhewn, void of fashion and comeliness. Some parts they besmear with + an earth so pure and resplendent, that it resembles painting and colours. + They are likewise wont to scoop caves deep in the ground, and over them to + lay great heaps of dung. Thither they retire for shelter in the winter, + and thither convey their grain: for by such close places they mollify the + rigorous and excessive cold. Besides when at any time their enemy invades + them, he can only ravage the open country, but either knows not such + recesses as are invisible and subterraneous; or must suffer them to escape + him, on this very account that he is uncertain where to find them. + </p> + <p> + For their covering a mantle is what they all wear, fastened with a clasp + or, for want of it, with a thorn. As far as this reaches not they are + naked, and lie whole days before the fire. The most wealthy are + distinguished with a vest, not one large and flowing like those of + Sarmatians and Parthians, but girt close about them and expressing the + proportion of every limb. They likewise wear the skins of savage beasts, a + dress which those bordering upon the Rhine use without any fondness or + delicacy, but about which such who live further in the country are more + curious, as void of all apparel introduced by commerce. They choose + certain wild beasts, and, having flayed them, diversify their hides with + many spots, as also with the skins of monsters from the deep, such as are + engendered in the distant ocean and in seas unknown. Neither does the + dress of the women differ from that of the men, save that the women are + orderly attired in linen embroidered with purple, and use no sleeves, so + that all their arms are bare. The upper part of their breast is withal + exposed. + </p> + <p> + Yet the laws of matrimony are severely observed there; for in the whole of + their manners is aught more praiseworthy than this: for they are almost + the only Barbarians contented with one wife, excepting a very few amongst + them; men of dignity who marry divers wives, from no wantonness or + lubricity, but courted for the lustre of their family into many alliances. + </p> + <p> + To the husband, the wife tenders no dowry; but the husband, to the wife. + The parents and relations attend and declare their approbation of the + presents, not presents adapted to feminine pomp and delicacy, nor such as + serve to deck the new married woman; but oxen and horse accoutred, and a + shield, with a javelin and sword. By virtue of these gifts, she is + espoused. She too on her part brings her husband some arms. This they + esteem the highest tie, these the holy mysteries, and matrimonial Gods. + That the woman may not suppose herself free from the considerations of + fortitude and fighting, or exempt from the casualties of war, the very + first solemnities of her wedding serve to warn her, that she comes to her + husband as a partner in his hazards and fatigues, that she is to suffer + alike with him, to adventure alike, during peace or during war. This the + oxen joined in the same yoke plainly indicate, this the horse ready + equipped, this the present of arms. 'Tis thus she must be content to live, + thus to resign life. The arms which she then receives she must preserve + inviolate, and to her sons restore the same, as presents worthy of them, + such as their wives may again receive, and still resign to her + grandchildren. + </p> + <p> + They therefore live in a state of chastity well secured; corrupted by no + seducing shows and public diversions, by no irritations from banqueting. + Of learning and of any secret intercourse by letters, they are all equally + ignorant, men and women. Amongst a people so numerous, adultery is + exceeding rare; a crime instantly punished, and the punishment left to be + inflicted by the husband. He, having cut off her hair, expells her from + his house naked, in presence of her kindred, and pursues her with stripes + throughout the village. For, to a woman who has prostituted her person, no + pardon is ever granted. However beautiful she may be, however young, + however abounding in wealth, a husband she can never find. In truth, + nobody turns vices into mirth there, nor is the practice of corrupting and + of yielding to corruption, called the custom of the Age. Better still do + those communities, in which none but virgins marry, and where to a single + marriage all their views and inclinations are at once confined. Thus, as + they have but one body and one life, they take but one husband, that + beyond him they may have no thought, no further wishes, nor love him only + as their husband but as their marriage. To restrain generation and the + increase of children, is esteemed an abominable sin, as also to kill + infants newly born. And more powerful with them are good manners, than + with other people are good laws. + </p> + <p> + In all their houses the children are reared naked and nasty; and thus grow + into those limbs, into that bulk, which with marvel we behold. They are + all nourished with the milk of their own mothers, and never surrendered to + handmaids and nurses. The lord you cannot discern from the slave, by any + superior delicacy in rearing. Amongst the same cattle they promiscuously + live, upon the same ground they without distinction lie, till at a proper + age the free-born are parted from the rest, and their bravery recommend + them to notice. Slow and late do the young men come to the use of women, + and thus very long preserve the vigour of youth. Neither are the virgins + hastened to wed. They must both have the same sprightly youth, the like + stature, and marry when equal and able-bodied. Thus the robustness of the + parents is inherited by the children. Children are holden in the same + estimation with their mother's brother, as with their father. Some hold + this tie of blood to be most inviolable and binding, and in receiving of + hostages, such pledges are most considered and claimed, as they who at + once possess affections the most unalienable, and the most diffuse + interest in their family. To every man, however, his own children are + heirs and successors: wills they make none: for want of children his next + akin inherits; his own brothers, those of his father, or those of his + mother. To ancient men, the more they abound in descendants, in relations + and affinities, so much the more favour and reverence accrues. From being + childless, no advantage nor estimation is derived. + </p> + <p> + All the enmities of your house, whether of your father or of your kindred, + you must necessarily adopt; as well as all their friendships. Neither are + such enmities unappeasable and permanent: since even for so great a crime + as homicide, compensation is made by a fixed number of sheep and cattle, + and by it the whole family is pacified to content. A temper this, + wholesome to the State; because to a free nation, animosities and faction + are always more menacing and perilous. In social feasts, and deeds of + hospitality, no nation upon earth was ever more liberal and abounding. To + refuse admitting under your roof any man whatsoever, is held wicked and + inhuman. Every man receives every comer, and treats him with repasts as + large as his ability can possibly furnish. When the whole stock is + consumed, he who has treated so hospitably guides and accompanies his + guest to the next house, though neither of them invited. Nor avails it, + that they were not; they are there received, with the same frankness and + humanity. Between a stranger and an acquaintance, in dispensing the rules + and benefits of hospitality, no difference is made. Upon your departure, + if you ask anything, it is the custom to grant it; and with the same + facility, they ask of you. In gifts they delight, but neither claim merit + from what they give, nor own any obligation for what they receive. Their + manner of entertaining their guests is familiar and kind. + </p> + <p> + The moment they rise from sleep, which they generally prolong till late in + the day, they bathe, most frequently in warm water; as in a country where + the winter is very long and severe. From bathing, they sit down to meat; + every man apart, upon a particular seat, and at a separate table. They + then proceed to their affairs, all in arms; as in arms, they no less + frequently go to banquet. To continue drinking night and day without + intermission, is a reproach to no man. Frequent then are their broils, as + usual amongst men intoxicated with liquor; and such broils rarely + terminate in angry words, but for the most part in maimings and slaughter. + Moreover in these their feasts, they generally deliberate about + reconciling parties at enmity, about forming affinities, choosing of + Princes, and finally about peace and war. For they judge, that at no + season is the soul more open to thoughts that are artless and upright, or + more fired with such as are great and bold. This people, of themselves + nowise subtile or politic, from the freedom of the place and occasion + acquire still more frankness to disclose the most secret motions and + purposes of their hearts. When therefore the minds of all have been once + laid open and declared, on the day following the several sentiments are + revised and canvassed; and to both conjectures of time, due regard is had. + They consult, when they know not how to dissemble; they determine, when + they cannot mistake. + </p> + <p> + For their drink, they draw a liquor from barley or other grain; and + ferment the same so as to make it resemble wine. Nay, they who dwell upon + the bank of the Rhine deal in wine. Their food is very simple; wild fruit, + fresh venison, or coagulated milk. They banish hunger without formality, + without curious dressing and curious fare. In extinguishing thirst, they + use not equal temperance. If you will but humour their excess in drinking, + and supply them with as much as they covet, it will be no less easy to + vanquish them by vices than by arms. + </p> + <p> + Of public diversions they have but one sort, and in all their meetings the + same is still exhibited. Young men, such as make it their pastime, fling + themselves naked and dance amongst sharp swords and the deadly points of + javelins. From habit they acquire their skill, and from their skill a + graceful manner; yet from hence draw no gain or hire: though this + adventurous gaiety has its reward, namely, that of pleasing the + spectators. What is marvellous, playing at dice is one of their most + serious employments; and even sober, they are gamesters: nay, so + desperately do they venture upon the chance of winning or losing, that + when their whole substance is played away, they stake their liberty and + their persons upon one and the last throw. The loser goes calmly into + voluntary bondage. However younger he be, however stronger, he tamely + suffers himself to be bound and sold by the winner. Such is their + perseverance in an evil course: they themselves call it honour. + </p> + <p> + Slaves of this class, they exchange in commerce, to free themselves too + from the shame of such a victory. Of their other slaves they make not such + use as we do of ours, by distributing amongst them the several offices and + employments of the family. Each of them has a dwelling of his own, each a + household to govern. His lord uses him like a tenant, and obliges him to + pay a quantity of grain, or of cattle, or of cloth. Thus far only the + subserviency of the slave extends. All the other duties in a family, not + the slaves, but the wives and children discharge. To inflict stripes upon + a slave, or to put him in chains, or to doom him to severe labour, are + things rarely seen. To kill them they sometimes are wont, not through + correction or government, but in heat and rage, as they would an enemy, + save that no vengeance or penalty follows. The freedmen very little + surpass the slaves, rarely are of moment in the house; in the community + never, excepting only such nations where arbitrary dominion prevails. For + there they bear higher sway than the free-born, nay, higher than the + nobles. In other countries the inferior condition of freedmen is a proof + of public liberty. + </p> + <p> + To the practice of usury and of increasing money by interest, they are + strangers; and hence is found a better guard against it, than if it were + forbidden. They shift from land to land; and, still appropriating a + portion suitable to the number of hands for manuring, anon parcel out the + whole amongst particulars according to the condition and quality of each. + As the plains are very spacious, the allotments are easily assigned. Every + year they change, and cultivate a fresh soil; yet still there is ground to + spare. For they strive not to bestow labour proportionable to the + fertility and compass of their lands, by planting orchards, by enclosing + meadows, by watering gardens. From the earth, corn only is extracted. + Hence they quarter not the year into so many seasons. Winter, Spring, and + Summer, they understand; and for each have proper appellations. Of the + name and blessings of Autumn, they are equally ignorant. + </p> + <p> + In performing their funerals, they show no state or vainglory. This only + is carefully observed, that with the corpses of their signal men certain + woods be burned. Upon the funeral pile they accumulate neither apparel nor + perfumes. Into the fire, are always thrown the arms of the dead, and + sometimes his horse. With sods of earth only the sepulchre is raised. The + pomp of tedious and elaborate monuments they contemn, as things grievous + to the deceased. Tears and wailings they soon dismiss: their affliction + and woe they long retain. In women, it is reckoned becoming to bewail + their loss; in men, to remember it. This is what in general we have + learned, in the original and customs of the whole people of Germany. I + shall now deduce the institutions and usages of the several people, as far + as they vary one from another; as also an account of what nations from + thence removed, to settle themselves in Gaul. + </p> + <p> + That the Gauls were in times past more puissant and formidable, is related + by the Prince of authors, the deified Julius [Caesar]; and hence it is + probable that they too have passed into Germany. For what a small obstacle + must be a river, to restrain any nation, as each grew more potent, from + seizing or changing habitations; when as yet all habitations were common, + and not parted or appropriated by the founding and terror of Monarchies? + The region therefore between the Hercynian Forest and the rivers Moenus + and Rhine, was occupied by the Helvetians; as was that beyond it by the + Boians, both nations of Gaul. There still remains a place called <i>Boiemum</i>, + which denotes the primitive name and antiquity of the country, although + the inhabitants have been changed. But whether the Araviscans are derived + from the Osians, a nation of Germans passing into Pannonia, or the Osians + from the Araviscans removing from thence into Germany, is a matter + undecided; since they both still use the language, the same customs and + the same laws. For, as of old they lived alike poor and alike free, equal + proved the evils and advantages on each side the river, and common to both + people. The Treverians and Nervians aspire passionately to the reputation + of being descended from the Germans; since by the glory of this original, + they would escape all imputation of resembling the Gauls in person and + effeminacy. Such as dwell upon the bank of the Rhine, the Vangiones, the + Tribocians, and the Nemetes, are without doubt all Germans. The Ubians are + ashamed of their original; though they have a particular honour to boast, + that of having merited an establishment as a Roman Colony, and still + delight to be called <i>Agrippinensians</i>, after the name of their + founder: they indeed formerly came from beyond the Rhine, and, for the + many proofs of their fidelity, were settled upon the very bank of the + river; not to be there confined or guarded themselves, but to guard and + defend that boundary against the rest of the Germans. + </p> + <p> + Of all these nations, the Batavians are the most signal in bravery. They + inhabit not much territory upon the Rhine, but possess an island in it. + They were formerly part of the Cattans, and by means of feuds at home + removed to these dwellings; whence they might become a portion of the + Roman Empire. With them this honour still remains, as also the memorials + of their ancient association with us: for they are not under the contempt + of paying tribute, nor subject to be squeezed by the farmers of the + revenue. Free from all impositions and payments, and only set apart for + the purposes of fighting, they are reserved wholly for the wars, in the + same manner as a magazine of weapons and armour. Under the same degree of + homage are the nation of the Mattiacians. For such is the might and + greatness of the Roman People, as to have carried the awe and esteem of + their Empire beyond the Rhine and the ancient boundaries. Thus the + Mattiacians, living upon the opposite banks, enjoy a settlement and limits + of their own; yet in spirit and inclination are attached to us: in other + things resembling the Batavians, save that as they still breathe their + original air, still possess their primitive soil, they are thence inspired + with superior vigour and keenness. Amongst the people of Germany I would + not reckon those who occupy the lands which are under decimation, though + they be such as dwell beyond the Rhine and the Danube. By several + worthless and vagabond Gauls, and such as poverty rendered daring, that + region was seized as one belonging to no certain possessor: afterwards it + became a skirt of the Empire and part of a province, upon the enlargement + of our bounds and the extending of our garrisons and frontier. + </p> + <p> + Beyond these are the Cattans, whose territories begin at the Hercynian + Forest, and consist not of such wide and marshy plains, as those of the + other communities contained within the vast compass of Germany; but + produce ranges of hills, such as run lofty and contiguous for a long + tract, then by degrees sink and decay. Moreover the Hercynian Forest + attends for a while its native Cattans, then suddenly forsakes them. This + people are distinguished with bodies more hardy and robust, compact limbs, + stern countenances, and greater vigour of spirit. For Germans, they are + men of much sense and address. They dignify chosen men, listen to such as + are set over them, know how to preserve their post, to discern occasions, + to rebate their own ardour and impatience; how to employ the day, how to + entrench themselves by night. They account fortune amongst things slippery + and uncertain, but bravery amongst such as are never-failing and secure; + and, what is exceeding rare nor ever to be learnt but by a wholesome + course of discipline, in the conduct of the general they repose more + assurance than in the strength of the army. Their whole forces consist of + foot, who besides their arms carry likewise instruments of iron and their + provisions. You may see other Germans proceed equipped to battle, but the + Cattans so as to conduct a war. They rarely venture upon excursions or + casual encounters. It is in truth peculiar to cavalry, suddenly to + conquer, or suddenly to fly. Such haste and velocity rather resembles + fear. Patience and deliberation are more akin to intrepidity. + </p> + <p> + Moreover a custom, practised indeed in other nations of Germany, yet very + rarely and confined only to particulars more daring than the rest, + prevails amongst the Cattans by universal consent. As soon as they arrive + to maturity of years, they let their hair and beards continue to grow, nor + till they have slain an enemy do they ever lay aside this form of + countenance by vow sacred to valour. Over the blood and spoil of a foe + they make bare their face. They allege, that they have now acquitted + themselves of the debt and duty contracted by their birth, and rendered + themselves worthy of their country, worthy of their parents. Upon the + spiritless, cowardly and unwarlike, such deformity of visage still + remains. All the most brave likewise wear an iron ring (a mark of great + dishonour this in that nation) and retain it as a chain; till by killing + an enemy they become released. Many of the Cattans delight always to bear + this terrible aspect; and, when grown white through age, become awful and + conspicuous by such marks, both to the enemy and their own countrymen. By + them in all engagements the first assault is made: of them the front of + the battle is always composed, as men who in their looks are singular and + tremendous. For even during peace they abate nothing in the grimness and + horror of their countenance. They have no house to inhabit, no land to + cultivate, nor any domestic charge or care. With whomsoever they come to + sojourn, by him they are maintained; always very prodigal of the substance + of others, always despising what is their own, till the feebleness of old + age overtakes them, and renders them unequal to the efforts of such rigid + bravery. + </p> + <p> + Next to the Cattans, dwell the Usipians and Tencterians; upon the Rhine + now running in a channel uniform and certain, such as suffices for a + boundary. The Tencterians, besides their wonted glory in war, surpass in + the service and discipline of their cavalry. Nor do the Cattans derive + higher applause from their foot, than the Tencterians from their horse. + Such was the order established by their forefathers, and what their + posterity still pursue. From riding and exercising of horse, their + children borrow their pastimes; in this exercise the young men find matter + for emulating one another, and in this the old men take pleasure to + persevere. Horses are by the father bequeathed as part of his household + and family, horses are conveyed amongst the rights of succession, and as + such the son receives them; but not the eldest son, like other effects, by + priority of birth, but he who continues to be signal in boldness and + superior in war. + </p> + <p> + Contiguous to the Tencterians formerly dwelt the Bructerians, in whose + room it is said the Chamavians and Angrivarians are now settled; they who + expulsed and almost extirpated the Bructerians, with the concurrence of + the neighbouring nations: whether in detestation of their arrogance, or + allured by the love of spoil, or through the special favour of the Gods + towards us Romans. They in truth even vouchsafed to gratify us with the + sight of the battle. In it there fell above sixty thousand souls, without + a blow struck by the Romans; but, what is a circumstance still more + glorious, fell to furnish them with a spectacle of joy and recreation. May + the Gods continue and perpetuate amongst these nations, if not any love + for us, yet by all means this their animosity and hate towards each other: + since whilst the destiny of the Empire thus urges it, fortune cannot more + signally befriend us, than in sowing strife amongst our foes. + </p> + <p> + The Angrivarians and Chamavians are enclosed behind, by the Dulgibinians + and Chasuarians; and by other nations not so much noted: before the + Frisians face them. The country of Frisia is divided into two; called the + greater and lesser, according to the measure of their strength. Both + nations stretch along the Rhine, quite to the ocean; and surround vast + lakes such as once have born Roman fleets. We have moreover even ventured + out from thence into the ocean, and upon its coasts common fame has + reported the pillars of Hercules to be still standing: whether it be that + Hercules ever visited these parts, or that to his renowned name we are + wont to ascribe whatever is grand and glorious everywhere. Neither did + Drusus who made the attempt, want boldness to pursue it: but the roughness + of the ocean withstood him, nor would suffer discoveries to be made about + itself, no more than about Hercules. Thenceforward the enterprise was + dropped: nay, more pious and reverential it seemed, to believe the + marvellous feats of the Gods than to know and to prove them. + </p> + <p> + Hitherto, I have been describing Germany towards the west. To the + northward, it winds away with an immense compass. And first of all occurs + the nation of the Chaucians; who though they begin immediately at the + confines of the Frisians, and occupy part of the shore, extend so far as + to border upon all the several people whom I have already recounted; till + at last, by a Circuit, they reach quite to the boundaries of the Cattans. + A region so vast, the Chaucians do not only possess but fill; a people of + all the Germans the most noble, such as would rather maintain their + grandeur by justice than violence. They live in repose, retired from + broils abroad, void of avidity to possess more, free from a spirit of + domineering over others. They provoke no wars, they ravage no countries, + they pursue no plunder. Of their bravery and power, the chief evidence + arises from hence, that, without wronging or oppressing others, they are + come to be superior to all. Yet they are all ready to arm, and if an + exigency require, armies are presently raised, powerful and abounding as + they are in men and horses; and even when they are quiet and their weapons + laid aside, their credit and name continue equally high. + </p> + <p> + Along the side of the Chaucians and Cattans dwell the Cheruscans; a people + who finding no enemy to rouse them, were enfeebled by a peace over lasting + and uniform, but such as they failed not to nourish. A conduct which + proved more pleasing than secure; since treacherous is that repose which + you enjoy amongst neighbours that are very powerful and very fond of rule + and mastership. When recourse is once had to the sword, modesty and fair + dealing will be vainly pleaded by the weaker; names these which are always + assumed by the stronger. Thus the Cheruscans, they who formerly bore the + character of <i>good and upright</i>, are now called <i>cowards and fools</i>; + and the fortune of the Cattans who subdued them, grew immediately to be + wisdom. In the ruin of the Cheruscans, the Fosians, also their neighbours, + were involved; and in their calamities bore an equal share, though in + their prosperity they had been weaker and less considered. + </p> + <p> + In the same winding tract of Germany live the Cimbrians, close to the + ocean; a community now very small, but great in fame. Nay, of their + ancient renown, many and extensive are the traces and monuments still + remaining; even their entrenchments upon either shore, so vast in compass + that from thence you may even now measure the greatness and numerous bands + of that people, and assent to the account of an army so mighty. It was on + the six hundred and fortieth year of Rome, when of the arms of the + Cimbrians the first mention was made, during the Consulship of Caecilius + Metellus and Papirius Carbo. If from that time we count to the second + Consulship of the Emperor Trajan, the interval comprehends near two + hundred and ten years; so long have we been conquering Germany. In a + course of time, so vast between these two periods, many have been the + blows and disasters suffered on each side. In truth neither from the + Samnites, nor from the Carthaginians, nor from both Spains, nor from all + the nations of Gaul, have we received more frequent checks and alarms; nor + even from the Parthians: for, more vigorous and invincible is the liberty + of the Germans than the monarchy of the Arsacides. Indeed, what has the + power of the East to allege to our dishonour; but the fall of Crassus, + that power which was itself overthrown and abased by Ventidius, with the + loss of the great King Pacorus bereft of his life? But by the Germans the + Roman People have been bereft of five armies, all commanded by Consuls; by + the Germans, the commanders of these armies, Carbo, and Cassius, and + Scaurus Aurelius, and Servilius Caepio, as also Marcus Manlius, were all + routed or taken: by the Germans even the Emperor Augustus was bereft of + Varus and three legions. Nor without difficulty and loss of men were they + defeated by Caius Marius in Italy, or by the deified Julius in Gaul, or by + Drusus or Tiberius or Germanicus in their native territories. Soon after, + the mighty menaces of Caligula against them ended in mockery and derision. + Thenceforward they continued quiet, till taking advantage of our domestic + division and civil wars, they stormed and seized the winter entrenchments + of the legions, and aimed at the dominion of Gaul; from whence they were + once more expulsed, and in the times preceding the present, we gained a + triumph over them rather than a victory. + </p> + <p> + I must now proceed to speak of the Suevians, who are not, like the Cattans + and Tencterians, comprehended in a single people; but divided into several + nations all bearing distinct names, though in general they are entitled + Suevians, and occupy the larger share of Germany. This people are + remarkable for a peculiar custom, that of twisting their hair and binding + it up in a knot. It is thus the Suevians are distinguished from the other + Germans, thus the free Suevians from their slaves. In other nations, + whether from alliance of blood with the Suevians, or, as is usual from + imitation, this practice is also found, yet rarely, and never exceeds the + years of youth. The Suevians, even when their hair is white through age, + continue to raise it backwards in a manner stern and staring; and often + tie it upon the top of their head only. That of their Princes, is more + accurately disposed, and so far they study to appear agreeable and comely; + but without any culpable intention. For by it, they mean not to make love + or to incite it: they thus dress when proceeding to war, and deck their + heads so as to add to their height and terror in the eyes of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + Of all the Suevians, the Semnones recount themselves to be the most + ancient and most noble. The belief of their antiquity is confirmed by + religious mysteries. At a stated time of the year, all the several people + descended from the same stock, assemble by their deputies in a wood; + consecrated by the idolatries of their forefathers, and by superstitious + awe in times of old. There by publicly sacrificing a man, they begin the + horrible solemnity of their barbarous worship. To this grove another sort + of reverence is also paid. No one enters it otherwise than bound with + ligatures, thence professing his subordination and meanness, and power of + the Deity there. If he fall down, he is not permitted to rise or be + raised, but grovels along upon the ground. And of all their superstition, + this is the drift and tendency; that from this place the nation drew their + original, that here God, the supreme Governor of the world, resides, and + that all things else whatsoever are subject to him and bound to obey him. + The potent condition of the Semnones has increased their influence and + authority, as they inhabit an hundred towns; and from the largeness of + their community it comes, that they hold themselves for the head of the + Suevians. + </p> + <p> + What on the contrary ennobles the Langobards is the smallness of their + number, for that they, who are surrounded with very many and very powerful + nations, derive their security from no obsequiousness or plying; but from + the dint of battle and adventurous deeds. There follow in order the + Reudignians, and Aviones, and Angles, and Varinians, and Eudoses, and + Suardones and Nuithones; all defended by rivers or forests. Nor in one of + these nations does aught remarkable occur, only that they universally join + in the worship of <i>Herthum</i>; that is to say, the Mother Earth. Her + they believe to interpose in the affairs of men, and to visit countries. + In an island of the ocean stands the wood <i>Castum</i>: in it is a + chariot dedicated to the Goddess covered over with a curtain, and + permitted to be touched by none but the Priest. Whenever the Goddess + enters this her holy vehicle, he perceives her; and with profound + veneration attends the motion of the chariot, which is always drawn by + yoked cows. Then it is that days of rejoicing always ensue, and in all + places whatsoever which she descends to honour with a visit and her + company, feasts and recreation abound. They go not to war; they touch no + arms; fast laid up is every hostile weapon; peace and repose are then only + known, then only beloved, till to the temple the same priest reconducts + the Goddess when well tired with the conversation of mortal beings. Anon + the chariot is washed and purified in a secret lake, as also the curtain; + nay, the Deity herself too, if you choose to believe it. In this office it + is slaves who minister, and they are forthwith doomed to be swallowed up + in the same lake. Hence all men are possessed with mysterious terror; as + well as with a holy ignorance what that must be, which none see but such + as are immediately to perish. Moreover this quarter of the Suevians + stretches to the middle of Germany. + </p> + <p> + The community next adjoining, is that of the Hermondurians; (that I may + now follow the course of the Danube, as a little before I did that of the + Rhine) a people this, faithful to the Romans. So that to them alone of all + the Germans, commerce is permitted; not barely upon the bank of the Rhine, + but more extensively, and even in that glorious colony in the province of + Rhoetia. They travel everywhere at their own discretion and without a + guard; and when to other nations, we show no more than our arms and + encampments, to this people we throw open our houses and dwellings, as to + men who have no longing to possess them. In the territories of the + Hermondurians rises the Elbe, a river very famous and formerly well known + to us; at present we only hear it named. + </p> + <p> + Close by the Hermondurians reside the Nariscans, and next to them the + Marcomanians and Quadians. Amongst these the Marcomanians are most signal + in force and renown; nay, their habitation itself they acquired by their + bravery, as from thence they formerly expulsed the Boians. Nor do the + Nariscans or Quadians degenerate in spirit. Now this is as it were the + frontier of Germany, as far as Germany is washed by the Danube. To the + times within our memory the Marcomanians and Quadians were governed by + kings, who were natives of their own, descended from the noble line of + Maroboduus and Tudrus. At present they are even subject to such as are + foreigners. But the whole strength and sway of their king is derived from + the authority of the Romans. From our arms, they rarely receive any aid; + from our money very frequently. + </p> + <p> + Nor less powerful are the several people beyond them; namely, the + Marsignians, the Gothinians, the Osians and the Burians, who altogether + enclose the Marcomanians and Quadians behind. Of those, the Marsignians + and the Burians in speech and dress resemble the Suevians. From the Gallic + language spoken by the Gothinians, and from that of Pannonia by the + Osians, it is manifest that neither of these people are Germans; as it is + also from their bearing to pay tribute. Upon them as upon aliens their + tribute is imposed, partly by the Sarmatians, partly by the Quadians. The + Gothinians, to heighten their disgrace, are forced to labour in the iron + mines. By all these several nations but little level country is possessed: + they are seated amongst forests, and upon the ridges and declivities of + mountains. For, Suevia is parted by a continual ridge of mountains; beyond + which, live many distinct nations. Of these the Lygians are most numerous + and extensive, and spread into several communities. It will suffice to + mention the most puissant; even the Arians, Helvicones, Manimians; + Elysians and Naharvalians. Amongst the Naharvalians is shown a grove, + sacred to devotion extremely ancient. Over it a Priest presides apparelled + like a woman; but according to the explication of the Romans, 'tis <i>Castor</i> + and <i>Pollux</i> who are here worshipped. This Divinity is named <i>Alcis</i>. + There are indeed no images here, no traces of an extraneous superstition; + yet their devotion is addressed to young men and to brothers. Now the + Arians, besides their forces, in which they surpass the several nations + just recounted, are in their persons stern and truculent; and even humour + and improve their natural grimness and ferocity by art and time. They wear + black shields, their bodies are painted black, they choose dark nights for + engaging in battle; and by the very awe and ghastly hue of their army, + strike the enemy with dread, as none can bear this their aspect so + surprising and as it were quite infernal. For, in all battles the eyes are + vanquished first. + </p> + <p> + Beyond the Lygians dwell the Gothones, under the rule of a King; and + thence held in subjection somewhat stricter than the other German nations, + yet not so strict as to extinguish all their liberty. Immediately + adjoining are the Rugians and Lemovians upon the coast of the ocean, and + of these several nations the characteristics are a round shield, a short + sword and kingly government. Next occur the communities of the Suiones, + situated in the ocean itself; and besides their strength in men and arms, + very powerful at sea. The form of their vessels varies thus far from ours, + that they have prows at each end, so as to be always ready to row to shore + without turning nor are they moved by sails, nor on their sides have + benches of oars placed, but the rowers ply here and there in all parts of + the ship alike, as in some rivers is done, and change their oars from + place to place, just as they shift their course hither or thither. To + wealth also, amongst them, great veneration is paid, and thence a single + ruler governs them, without all restriction of power, and exacting + unlimited obedience. Neither here, as amongst other nations of Germany, + are arms used indifferently by all, but shut up and warded under the care + of a particular keeper, who in truth too is always a slave: since from all + sudden invasions and attacks from their foes, the ocean protects them: + besides that armed bands, when they are not employed, grow easily + debauched and tumultuous. The truth is, it suits not the interest of an + arbitrary Prince, to trust the care and power of arms either with a + nobleman or with a freeman, or indeed with any man above the condition of + a slave. + </p> + <p> + Beyond the Suiones is another sea, one very heavy and almost void of + agitation; and by it the whole globe is thought to be bounded and + environed, for that the reflection of the sun, after his setting, + continues till his rising, so bright as to darken the stars. To this, + popular opinion has added, that the tumult also of his emerging from the + sea is heard, that forms divine are then seen, as likewise the rays about + his head. Only thus far extend the limits of nature, if what fame says be + true. Upon the right of the Suevian Sea the AEstyan nations reside, who + use the same customs and attire with the Suevians; their language more + resembles that of Britain. They worship the Mother of the Gods. As the + characteristic of their national superstition, they wear the images of + wild boars. This alone serves them for arms, this is the safeguard of all, + and by this every worshipper of the goddess is secured even amidst his + foes. Rare amongst them is the use of weapons of iron, but frequent that + of clubs. In producing of grain and the other fruits of the earth, they + labour with more assiduity and patience than is suitable to the usual + laziness of Germans. Nay, they even search the deep, and of all the rest + are the only people who gather <i>amber</i>. They call it <i>glasing</i>, + and find it amongst the shallows and upon the very shore. But, according + to the ordinary incuriosity and ignorance of Barbarians, they have neither + learnt, nor do they inquire, what is its nature, or from what cause it is + produced. In truth it lay long neglected amongst the other gross + discharges of the sea; till from our luxury, it gained a name and value. + To themselves it is of no use: they gather it rough, they expose it in + pieces coarse and unpolished, and for it receive a price with wonder. You + would however conceive it to be a liquor issuing from trees, for that in + the transparent substance are often seen birds and other animals, such as + at first stuck in the soft gum, and by it, as it hardened, became quite + enclosed. I am apt to believe that, as in the recesses of the East are + found woods and groves dropping frankincense and balms, so in the isles + and continent of the West such gums are extracted by the force and + proximity of the sun; at first liquid and flowing into the next sea, then + thrown by the winds and waves upon the opposite shore. If you try the + nature of amber by the application of fire, it kindles like a torch; and + feeds a thick and unctuous flame very high scented, and presently becomes + glutinous like pitch or rosin. + </p> + <p> + Upon the Suiones, border the people Sitones; and, agreeing with them in + all other things, differ from them in one, that here the sovereignty is + exercised by a woman. So notoriously do they degenerate not only from a + state of liberty, but even below a state of bondage. Here end the + territories of the Suevians. + </p> + <p> + Whether amongst the Sarmatians or the Germans I ought to account the + Peucinians, the Venedians, and the Fennians, is what I cannot determine; + though the Peucinians, whom some call Basstarnians, speak the same + language with the Germans, use the same attire, build like them, and live + like them, in that dirtiness and sloth so common to all. Somewhat they are + corrupted into the fashion of the Sarmatians by the inter-marriages of the + principal sort with that nation: from whence the Venedians have derived + very many of their customs and a great resemblance. For they are + continually traversing and infesting with robberies all the forests and + mountains lying between the Peucinians and Fennians. Yet they are rather + reckoned amongst the Germans, for that they have fixed houses, and carry + shields, and prefer travelling on foot, and excel in swiftness. Usages + these, all widely differing from those of the Sarmatians, who live on + horseback and dwell in waggons. In wonderful savageness live the nation of + the Fennians, and in beastly poverty, destitute of arms, of horses, and of + homes; their food, the common herbs; their apparel, skins; their bed, the + earth; their only hope in their arrows, which for want of iron they point + with bones. Their common support they have from the chase, women as well + as men; for with these the former wander up and down, and crave a portion + of the prey. Nor other shelter have they even for their babes, against the + violence of tempests and ravening beasts, than to cover them with the + branches of trees twisted together; this a reception for the old men, and + hither resort the young. Such a condition they judge more happy than the + painful occupation of cultivating the ground, than the labour of rearing + houses, than the agitations of hope and fear attending the defence of + their own property or the seizing that of others. Secure against the + designs of men, secure against the malignity of the Gods, they have + accomplished a thing of infinite difficulty; that to them nothing remains + even to be wished. + </p> + <p> + What further accounts we have are fabulous: as that the Hellusians and + Oxiones have the countenances and aspect of men, with the bodies and limbs + of savage beasts. This, as a thing about which I have no certain + information, I shall leave untouched. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tacitus on Germany, by Tacitus + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TACITUS ON GERMANY *** + +***** This file should be named 2995-h.htm or 2995-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/9/2995/ + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers; David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tacitus on Germany + +Author: Tacitus + +Translator: Thomas Gordon + +Release Date: April 3, 2006 [EBook #2995] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TACITUS ON GERMANY *** + + + + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers + + + + + +TACITUS ON GERMANY + +Translated by Thomas Gordon + + + + PREPARER'S NOTE + + This text was prepared from a 1910 edition, published + by P. F. Collier & Son Company, New York. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +The dates of the birth and death of Tacitus are uncertain, but it is +probable that he was born about 54 A. D. and died after 117. He was a +contemporary and friend of the younger Pliny, who addressed to him some +of his most famous epistles. Tacitus was apparently of the equestrian +class, was an advocate by training, and had a reputation as an orator, +though none of his speeches has survived. He held a number of important +public offices, and married the daughter of Agricola, the conqueror of +Britain, whose life he wrote. + +The two chief works of Tacitus, the "Annals" and the "Histories," +covered the history of Rome from the death of Augustus to A. D. 96; +but the greater part of the "Histories" is lost, and the fragment that +remains deals only with the year 69 and part of 70. In the "Annals" +there are several gaps, but what survives describes a large part of the +reigns of Tiberius, Claudius, and Nero. His minor works, besides the +life of Agricola, already mentioned, are a "Dialogue on Orators" and the +account of Germany, its situation, its inhabitants, their character and +customs, which is here printed. + +Tacitus stands in the front rank of the historians of antiquity for the +accuracy of his learning, the fairness of his judgments, the richness, +concentration, and precision of his style. His great successor, Gibbon, +called him a "philosophical historian, whose writings will instruct the +last generations of mankind"; and Montaigne knew no author "who, in a +work of history, has taken so broad a view of human events or given a +more just analysis of particular characters." + +The "Germany" is a document of the greatest interest and importance, +since it gives us by far the most detailed account of the state of +culture among the tribes that are the ancestors of the modern Teutonic +nations, at the time when they first came into account with the +civilization of the Mediterranean. + + + + + +TACITUS ON GERMANY + + +The whole of Germany is thus bounded; separated from Gaul, from Rhoetia +and Pannonia, by the rivers Rhine and Danube; from Sarmatia and Dacia by +mutual fear, or by high mountains: the rest is encompassed by the ocean, +which forms huge bays, and comprehends a tract of islands immense in +extent: for we have lately known certain nations and kingdoms there, +such as the war discovered. The Rhine rising in the Rhoetian Alps from a +summit altogether rocky and perpendicular, after a small winding towards +the west, is lost in the Northern Ocean. The Danube issues out of the +mountain Abnoba, one very high but very easy of ascent, and traversing +several nations, falls by six streams into the Euxine Sea; for its +seventh channel is absorbed in the Fenns. + +The Germans, I am apt to believe, derive their original from no other +people; and are nowise mixed with different nations arriving amongst +them: since anciently those who went in search of new dwellings, +travelled not by land, but were carried in fleets; and into that mighty +ocean so boundless, and, as I may call it, so repugnant and forbidding, +ships from our world rarely enter. Moreover, besides the dangers from +a sea tempestuous, horrid and unknown, who would relinquish Asia, or +Africa, or Italy, to repair to Germany, a region hideous and rude, under +a rigorous climate, dismal to behold or to manure [to cultivate] unless +the same were his native country? In their old ballads (which amongst +them are the only sort of registers and history) they celebrate +_Tuisto_, a God sprung from the earth, and _Mannus_ his son, as the +fathers and founders of the nation. To _Mannus_ they assign three sons, +after whose names so many people are called; the Ingaevones, dwelling +next the ocean; the Herminones, in the middle country; and all the rest, +Instaevones. Some, borrowing a warrant from the darkness of antiquity, +maintain that the God had more sons, that thence came more denominations +of people, the Marsians, Gambrians, Suevians, and Vandalians, and that +these are the names truly genuine and original. For the rest, they +affirm Germany to be a recent word, lately bestowed: for that those +who first passed the Rhine and expulsed the Gauls, and are now named +Tungrians, were then called Germans: and thus by degrees the name of a +tribe prevailed, not that of the nation; so that by an appellation at +first occasioned by terror and conquest, they afterwards chose to be +distinguished, and assuming a name lately invented were universally +called _Germans_. + +They have a tradition that Hercules also had been in their country, and +him above all other heroes they extol in their songs when they advance +to battle. Amongst them too are found that kind of verses by the recital +of which (by them called _Barding_) they inspire bravery; nay, by such +chanting itself they divine the success of the approaching fight. For, +according to the different din of the battle they urge furiously, or +shrink timorously. Nor does what they utter, so much seem to be singing +as the voice and exertion of valour. They chiefly study a tone fierce +and harsh, with a broken and unequal murmur, and therefore apply their +shields to their mouths, whence the voice may by rebounding swell with +greater fulness and force. Besides there are some of opinion, that +Ulysses, whilst he wandered about in his long and fabulous voyages, was +carried into this ocean and entered Germany, and that by him Asciburgium +was founded and named, a city at this day standing and inhabited upon +the bank of the Rhine: nay, that in the same place was formerly found an +altar dedicated to Ulysses, with the name of his father Laertes added +to his own, and that upon the confines of Germany and Rhoetia are still +extant certain monuments and tombs inscribed with Greek characters. +Traditions these which I mean not either to confirm with arguments of +my own or to refute. Let every one believe or deny the same according to +his own bent. + +For myself, I concur in opinion with such as suppose the people of +Germany never to have mingled by inter-marriages with other nations, but +to have remained a people pure, and independent, and resembling none but +themselves. Hence amongst such a mighty multitude of men, the same make +and form is found in all, eyes stern and blue, yellow hair, huge bodies, +but vigorous only in the first onset. Of pains and labour they are not +equally patient, nor can they at all endure thrift and heat. To bear +hunger and cold they are hardened by their climate and soil. + +Their lands, however somewhat different in aspect, yet taken all +together consist of gloomy forests or nasty marshes; lower and moister +towards Noricum and Pannonia; very apt to bear grain, but altogether +unkindly to fruit trees; abounding in flocks and herds, but generally +small of growth. Nor even in their oxen is found the usual stateliness, +no more than the natural ornaments and grandeur of head. In the number +of their herds they rejoice; and these are their only, these their most +desirable riches. Silver and gold the Gods have denied them, whether in +mercy or in wrath, I am unable to determine. Yet I would not venture to +aver that in Germany no vein of gold or silver is produced; for who has +ever searched? For the use and possession, it is certain they care not. +Amongst them indeed are to be seen vessels of silver, such as have +been presented to their Princes and Ambassadors, but holden in no other +esteem than vessels made of earth. The Germans however adjoining to our +frontiers value gold and silver for the purposes of commerce, and are +wont to distinguish and prefer certain of our coins. They who live more +remote are more primitive and simple in their dealings, and exchange +one commodity for another. The money which they like is the old and +long known, that indented [with milled edges], or that impressed with +a chariot and two horses. Silver too is what they seek more than gold, +from no fondness or preference, but because small pieces are more ready +in purchasing things cheap and common. + +Neither in truth do they abound in iron, as from the fashion of their +weapons may be gathered. Swords they rarely use, or the larger spear. +They carry javelins or, in their own language, _framms_, pointed with a +piece of iron short and narrow, but so sharp and manageable, that with +the same weapon they can fight at a distance or hand to hand, just as +need requires. Nay, the horsemen also are content with a shield and a +javelin. The foot throw likewise weapons missive, each particular +is armed with many, and hurls them a mighty space, all naked or only +wearing a light cassock. In their equipment they show no ostentation; +only that their shields are diversified and adorned with curious +colours. With coats of mail very few are furnished, and hardly upon any +is seen a headpiece or helmet. Their horses are nowise signal either in +fashion or in fleetness; nor taught to wheel and bound, according to the +practice of the Romans: they only move them forward in a line, or turn +them right about, with such compactness and equality that no one is ever +behind the rest. To one who considers the whole it is manifest, that +in their foot their principal strength lies, and therefore they fight +intermixed with the motions and engagements of the cavalry. So that the +infantry are elected from amongst the most robust of their youth, and +placed in front of the army. The number to be sent is also ascertained, +out of every village _an hundred_, and by this very name they continue +to be called at home, _those of the hundred band_: thus what was at +first no more than a number, becomes thenceforth a title and distinction +of honour. In arraying their army, they divide the whole into distinct +battalions formed sharp in front. To recoil in battle, provided you +return again to the attack, passes with them rather for policy than +fear. Even when the combat is no more than doubtful, they bear away the +bodies of their slain. The most glaring disgrace that can befall them, +is to have quitted their shield; nor to one branded with such ignominy +is it lawful to join in their sacrifices, or to enter into their +assemblies; and many who had escaped in the day of battle, have hanged +themselves to put an end to this their infamy. + +In the choice of kings they are determined by the splendour of their +race, in that of generals by their bravery. Neither is the power of +their kings unbounded or arbitrary: and their generals procure obedience +not so much by the force of their authority as by that of their example, +when they appear enterprising and brave, when they signalise themselves +by courage and prowess; and if they surpass all in admiration and +pre-eminence, if they surpass all at the head of an army. But to none +else but the Priests is it allowed to exercise correction, or to inflict +bonds or stripes. Nor when the Priests do this, is the same considered +as a punishment, or arising from the orders of the general, but from the +immediate command of the Deity, Him whom they believe to accompany them +in war. They therefore carry with them when going to fight, certain +images and figures taken out of their holy groves. What proves the +principal incentive to their valour is, that it is not at random nor by +the fortuitous conflux of men that their troops and pointed battalions +are formed, but by the conjunction of whole families, and tribes of +relations. Moreover, close to the field of battle are lodged all the +nearest and most interesting pledges of nature. Hence they hear the +doleful howlings of their wives, hence the cries of their tender +infants. These are to each particular the witnesses whom he most +reverences and dreads; these yield him the praise which affect him most. +Their wounds and maims they carry to their mothers, or to their wives, +neither are their mothers or wives shocked in telling, or in sucking +their bleeding sores. Nay, to their husbands and sons whilst engaged in +battle, they administer meat and encouragement. + +In history we find, that some armies already yielding and ready to fly, +have been by women restored, through their inflexible importunity +and entreaties, presenting their breasts, and showing their impending +captivity; an evil to the Germans then by far most dreadful when it +befalls their women. So that the spirit of such cities as amongst +their hostages are enjoined to send their damsels of quality, is always +engaged more effectually than that of others. They even believe them +endowed with something celestial and the spirit of prophecy. Neither +do they disdain to consult them, nor neglect the responses which they +return. In the reign of the deified Vespasian, we have seen _Veleda_ for +a long time, and by many nations, esteemed and adored as a divinity. In +times past they likewise worshipped _Aurinia_ and several more, from +no complaisance or effort of flattery, nor as Deities of their own +creating. + +Of all the Gods, Mercury is he whom they worship most. To him on certain +stated days it is lawful to offer even human victims. Hercules and Mars +they appease with beasts usually allowed for sacrifice. Some of the +Suevians make likewise immolations to _Isis_. Concerning the cause and +original of this foreign sacrifice I have found small light; unless +the figure of her image formed like a galley, show that such devotion +arrived from abroad. For the rest, from the grandeur and majesty of +beings celestial, they judge it altogether unsuitable to hold the Gods +enclosed within walls, or to represent them under any human likeness. +They consecrate whole woods and groves, and by the names of the Gods +they call these recesses; divinities these, which only in contemplation +and mental reverence they behold. + +To the use of lots and auguries, they are addicted beyond all other +nations. Their method of divining by lots is exceeding simple. From a +tree which bears fruit they cut a twig, and divide it into two small +pieces. These they distinguish by so many several marks, and throw them +at random and without order upon a white garment. Then the Priest of the +community, if for the public the lots are consulted, or the father of +a family if about a private concern, after he has solemnly invoked the +Gods, with eyes lifted up to heaven, takes up every piece thrice, and +having done thus forms a judgment according to the marks before made. If +the chances have proved forbidding, they are no more consulted upon the +same affair during the same day; even when they are inviting, yet, for +confirmation, the faith of auguries too is tried. Yea, here also is the +known practice of divining events from the voices and flight of birds. +But to this nation it is peculiar, to learn presages and admonitions +divine from horses also. These are nourished by the State in the same +sacred woods and grooves, all milk-white and employed in no earthly +labour. These yoked in the holy chariot, are accompanied by the Priest +and the King, or the Chief of the community, who both carefully observed +his actions and neighing. Nor in any sort of augury is more faith and +assurance reposed, not by the populace only, but even by the nobles, +even by the Priests. These account themselves the ministers of the Gods, +and the horses privy to his will. They have likewise another method of +divination, whence to learn the issue of great and mighty wars. From the +nation with whom they are at war they contrive, it avails not how, to +gain a captive: him they engage in combat with one selected from amongst +themselves, each armed after the manner of his country, and according +as the victory falls to this or to the other, gather a presage of the +whole. + +Affairs of smaller moment the chiefs determine: about matters of +higher consequence the whole nation deliberates; yet in such sort, +that whatever depends upon the pleasure and decision of the people, is +examined and discussed by the chiefs. Where no accident or emergency +intervenes, they assemble upon stated days, either, when the moon +changes, or is full: since they believe such seasons to be the most +fortunate for beginning all transactions. Neither in reckoning of time +do they count, like us, the number of days but that of nights. In this +style their ordinances are framed, in this style their diets appointed; +and with them the night seems to lead and govern the day. From their +extensive liberty this evil and default flows, that they meet not at +once, nor as men commanded and afraid to disobey; so that often the +second day, nay often the third, is consumed through the slowness of the +members in assembling. They sit down as they list, promiscuously, like a +crowd, and all armed. It is by the Priests that silence is enjoined, +and with the power of correction the Priests are then invested. Then the +King or Chief is heard, as are others, each according to his precedence +in age, or in nobility, or in warlike renown, or in eloquence; and the +influence of every speaker proceeds rather from his ability to persuade +than from any authority to command. If the proposition displease, they +reject it by an inarticulate murmur: if it be pleasing, they brandish +their javelins. The most honourable manner of signifying their assent, +is to express their applause by the sound of their arms. + +In the assembly it is allowed to present accusations, and to prosecute +capital offences. Punishments vary according to the quality of the +crime. Traitors and deserters they hang upon trees. Cowards, and +sluggards, and unnatural prostitutes they smother in mud and bogs under +an heap of hurdles. Such diversity in their executions has this view, +that in punishing of glaring iniquities, it behooves likewise to +display them to sight; but effeminacy and pollution must be buried and +concealed. In lighter transgressions too the penalty is measured by +the fault, and the delinquents upon conviction are condemned to pay a +certain number of horses or cattle. Part of this mulct accrues to the +King or to the community, part to him whose wrongs are vindicated, or to +his next kindred. In the same assemblies are also chosen their chiefs +or rulers, such as administer justice in their villages and boroughs. +To each of these are assigned an hundred persons chosen from amongst +the populace, to accompany and assist him, men who help him at once with +their authority and their counsel. + +Without being armed they transact nothing, whether of public or private +concernment. But it is repugnant to their custom for any man to use +arms, before the community has attested his capacity to wield them. +Upon such testimonial, either one of the rulers, or his father, or +some kinsman dignify the young man in the midst of the assembly, with +a shield and javelin. This amongst them is the _manly robe_, this first +degree of honour conferred upon their youth. Before this they seem +no more than part of a private family, but thenceforward part of the +Commonweal. The princely dignity they confer even upon striplings, whose +race is eminently noble, or whose fathers have done great and signal +services to the State. For about the rest, who are more vigorous and +long since tried, they crowd to attend; nor is it any shame to be seen +amongst the followers of these. Nay, there are likewise degrees of +followers, higher or lower, just as he whom they follow judges fit. +Mighty too is the emulation amongst these followers, of each to be first +in favour with his Prince; mighty also the emulation of the Princes, +to excel in the number and valour of followers. This is their principal +state, this their chief force, to be at all times surrounded with a huge +band of chosen young men, for ornament and glory in peace, for security +and defence in war. Nor is it amongst his own people only, but even from +the neighbouring communities, that any of their Princes reaps so +much renown and a name so great, when he surpasses in the number and +magnanimity of his followers. For such are courted by Embassies, and +distinguished with presents, and by the terror of their fame alone often +dissipate wars. + +In the day of battle, it is scandalous to the Prince to be surpassed in +feats of bravery, scandalous to his followers to fail in matching the +bravery of the Prince. But it is infamy during life, and indelible +reproach, to return alive from a battle where their Prince was slain. +To preserve their Prince, to defend him, and to ascribe to his glory all +their own valorous deeds, is the sum and most sacred part of their oath. +The Princes fight for victory; for the Prince his followers fight. Many +of the young nobility, when their own community comes to languish in +its vigour by long peace and inactivity, betake themselves through +impatience in other States which then prove to be in war. For, +besides that this people cannot brook repose, besides that by perilous +adventures they more quickly blazon their fame, they cannot otherwise +than by violence and war support their huge train of retainers. For from +the liberality of their Prince, they demand and enjoy that _war-horse_ +of theirs, with that _victorious javelin_ dyed in the blood of their +enemies. In the place of pay, they are supplied with a daily table and +repasts; though grossly prepared, yet very profuse. For maintaining such +liberality and munificence, a fund is furnished by continual wars and +plunder. Nor could you so easily persuade them to cultivate the ground, +or to await the return of the seasons and produce of the year, as +to provoke the foe and to risk wounds and death: since stupid and +spiritless they account it, to acquire by their sweat what they can gain +by their blood. + +Upon any recess from war, they do not much attend the chase. Much more +of their time they pass in indolence, resigned to sleep and repasts. All +the most brave, all the most warlike, apply to nothing at all; but to +their wives, to the ancient men, and to even the most impotent domestic, +trust all the care of their house, and of their lands and possessions. +They themselves loiter. Such is the amazing diversity of their nature, +that in the same men is found so much delight in sloth, with so much +enmity to tranquillity and repose. The communities are wont, of their +own accord and man by man, to bestow upon their Princes a certain number +of beasts, or a certain portion of grain; a contribution which passes +indeed for a mark of reverence and honour, but serves also to supply +their necessities. They chiefly rejoice in the gifts which come from the +bordering countries, such as are sent not only by particulars but in the +name of the State; curious horses, splendid armour, rich harness, with +collars of silver and gold. Now too they have learnt, what we have +taught them, to receive money. + +That none of the several people in Germany live together in cities, is +abundantly known; nay, that amongst them none of their dwellings are +suffered to be contiguous. They inhabit apart and distinct, just as a +fountain, or a field, or a wood happened to invite them to settle. They +raise their villages in opposite rows, but not in our manner with the +houses joined one to another. Every man has a vacant space quite round +his own, whether for security against accidents from fire, or that they +want the art of building. With them in truth, is unknown even the use of +mortar and of tiles. In all their structures they employ materials +quite gross and unhewn, void of fashion and comeliness. Some parts +they besmear with an earth so pure and resplendent, that it resembles +painting and colours. They are likewise wont to scoop caves deep in the +ground, and over them to lay great heaps of dung. Thither they retire +for shelter in the winter, and thither convey their grain: for by such +close places they mollify the rigorous and excessive cold. Besides +when at any time their enemy invades them, he can only ravage the +open country, but either knows not such recesses as are invisible and +subterraneous; or must suffer them to escape him, on this very account +that he is uncertain where to find them. + +For their covering a mantle is what they all wear, fastened with a clasp +or, for want of it, with a thorn. As far as this reaches not they +are naked, and lie whole days before the fire. The most wealthy are +distinguished with a vest, not one large and flowing like those of +Sarmatians and Parthians, but girt close about them and expressing the +proportion of every limb. They likewise wear the skins of savage beasts, +a dress which those bordering upon the Rhine use without any fondness or +delicacy, but about which such who live further in the country are more +curious, as void of all apparel introduced by commerce. They choose +certain wild beasts, and, having flayed them, diversify their hides with +many spots, as also with the skins of monsters from the deep, such as +are engendered in the distant ocean and in seas unknown. Neither does +the dress of the women differ from that of the men, save that the +women are orderly attired in linen embroidered with purple, and use no +sleeves, so that all their arms are bare. The upper part of their breast +is withal exposed. + +Yet the laws of matrimony are severely observed there; for in the whole +of their manners is aught more praiseworthy than this: for they are +almost the only Barbarians contented with one wife, excepting a very few +amongst them; men of dignity who marry divers wives, from no wantonness +or lubricity, but courted for the lustre of their family into many +alliances. + +To the husband, the wife tenders no dowry; but the husband, to the wife. +The parents and relations attend and declare their approbation of the +presents, not presents adapted to feminine pomp and delicacy, nor such +as serve to deck the new married woman; but oxen and horse accoutred, +and a shield, with a javelin and sword. By virtue of these gifts, she +is espoused. She too on her part brings her husband some arms. This they +esteem the highest tie, these the holy mysteries, and matrimonial Gods. +That the woman may not suppose herself free from the considerations of +fortitude and fighting, or exempt from the casualties of war, the very +first solemnities of her wedding serve to warn her, that she comes to +her husband as a partner in his hazards and fatigues, that she is to +suffer alike with him, to adventure alike, during peace or during war. +This the oxen joined in the same yoke plainly indicate, this the horse +ready equipped, this the present of arms. 'Tis thus she must be content +to live, thus to resign life. The arms which she then receives she must +preserve inviolate, and to her sons restore the same, as presents worthy +of them, such as their wives may again receive, and still resign to her +grandchildren. + +They therefore live in a state of chastity well secured; corrupted by no +seducing shows and public diversions, by no irritations from banqueting. +Of learning and of any secret intercourse by letters, they are all +equally ignorant, men and women. Amongst a people so numerous, adultery +is exceeding rare; a crime instantly punished, and the punishment left +to be inflicted by the husband. He, having cut off her hair, expells her +from his house naked, in presence of her kindred, and pursues her with +stripes throughout the village. For, to a woman who has prostituted her +person, no pardon is ever granted. However beautiful she may be, however +young, however abounding in wealth, a husband she can never find. In +truth, nobody turns vices into mirth there, nor is the practice of +corrupting and of yielding to corruption, called the custom of the Age. +Better still do those communities, in which none but virgins marry, and +where to a single marriage all their views and inclinations are at once +confined. Thus, as they have but one body and one life, they take +but one husband, that beyond him they may have no thought, no further +wishes, nor love him only as their husband but as their marriage. +To restrain generation and the increase of children, is esteemed an +abominable sin, as also to kill infants newly born. And more powerful +with them are good manners, than with other people are good laws. + +In all their houses the children are reared naked and nasty; and thus +grow into those limbs, into that bulk, which with marvel we behold. +They are all nourished with the milk of their own mothers, and never +surrendered to handmaids and nurses. The lord you cannot discern from +the slave, by any superior delicacy in rearing. Amongst the same cattle +they promiscuously live, upon the same ground they without distinction +lie, till at a proper age the free-born are parted from the rest, and +their bravery recommend them to notice. Slow and late do the young men +come to the use of women, and thus very long preserve the vigour of +youth. Neither are the virgins hastened to wed. They must both have +the same sprightly youth, the like stature, and marry when equal and +able-bodied. Thus the robustness of the parents is inherited by the +children. Children are holden in the same estimation with their mother's +brother, as with their father. Some hold this tie of blood to be most +inviolable and binding, and in receiving of hostages, such pledges are +most considered and claimed, as they who at once possess affections +the most unalienable, and the most diffuse interest in their family. +To every man, however, his own children are heirs and successors: wills +they make none: for want of children his next akin inherits; his own +brothers, those of his father, or those of his mother. To ancient men, +the more they abound in descendants, in relations and affinities, so +much the more favour and reverence accrues. From being childless, no +advantage nor estimation is derived. + +All the enmities of your house, whether of your father or of your +kindred, you must necessarily adopt; as well as all their friendships. +Neither are such enmities unappeasable and permanent: since even for +so great a crime as homicide, compensation is made by a fixed number of +sheep and cattle, and by it the whole family is pacified to content. +A temper this, wholesome to the State; because to a free nation, +animosities and faction are always more menacing and perilous. In social +feasts, and deeds of hospitality, no nation upon earth was ever more +liberal and abounding. To refuse admitting under your roof any man +whatsoever, is held wicked and inhuman. Every man receives every +comer, and treats him with repasts as large as his ability can possibly +furnish. When the whole stock is consumed, he who has treated so +hospitably guides and accompanies his guest to the next house, though +neither of them invited. Nor avails it, that they were not; they are +there received, with the same frankness and humanity. Between a +stranger and an acquaintance, in dispensing the rules and benefits of +hospitality, no difference is made. Upon your departure, if you ask +anything, it is the custom to grant it; and with the same facility, they +ask of you. In gifts they delight, but neither claim merit from what +they give, nor own any obligation for what they receive. Their manner of +entertaining their guests is familiar and kind. + +The moment they rise from sleep, which they generally prolong till late +in the day, they bathe, most frequently in warm water; as in a country +where the winter is very long and severe. From bathing, they sit down to +meat; every man apart, upon a particular seat, and at a separate table. +They then proceed to their affairs, all in arms; as in arms, they +no less frequently go to banquet. To continue drinking night and day +without intermission, is a reproach to no man. Frequent then are their +broils, as usual amongst men intoxicated with liquor; and such broils +rarely terminate in angry words, but for the most part in maimings and +slaughter. Moreover in these their feasts, they generally deliberate +about reconciling parties at enmity, about forming affinities, choosing +of Princes, and finally about peace and war. For they judge, that at no +season is the soul more open to thoughts that are artless and upright, +or more fired with such as are great and bold. This people, of +themselves nowise subtile or politic, from the freedom of the place +and occasion acquire still more frankness to disclose the most secret +motions and purposes of their hearts. When therefore the minds of all +have been once laid open and declared, on the day following the several +sentiments are revised and canvassed; and to both conjectures of time, +due regard is had. They consult, when they know not how to dissemble; +they determine, when they cannot mistake. + +For their drink, they draw a liquor from barley or other grain; and +ferment the same so as to make it resemble wine. Nay, they who dwell +upon the bank of the Rhine deal in wine. Their food is very simple; wild +fruit, fresh venison, or coagulated milk. They banish hunger without +formality, without curious dressing and curious fare. In extinguishing +thirst, they use not equal temperance. If you will but humour their +excess in drinking, and supply them with as much as they covet, it will +be no less easy to vanquish them by vices than by arms. + +Of public diversions they have but one sort, and in all their meetings +the same is still exhibited. Young men, such as make it their pastime, +fling themselves naked and dance amongst sharp swords and the deadly +points of javelins. From habit they acquire their skill, and from their +skill a graceful manner; yet from hence draw no gain or hire: though +this adventurous gaiety has its reward, namely, that of pleasing the +spectators. What is marvellous, playing at dice is one of their most +serious employments; and even sober, they are gamesters: nay, so +desperately do they venture upon the chance of winning or losing, that +when their whole substance is played away, they stake their liberty and +their persons upon one and the last throw. The loser goes calmly into +voluntary bondage. However younger he be, however stronger, he tamely +suffers himself to be bound and sold by the winner. Such is their +perseverance in an evil course: they themselves call it honour. + +Slaves of this class, they exchange in commerce, to free themselves too +from the shame of such a victory. Of their other slaves they make not +such use as we do of ours, by distributing amongst them the several +offices and employments of the family. Each of them has a dwelling of +his own, each a household to govern. His lord uses him like a tenant, +and obliges him to pay a quantity of grain, or of cattle, or of cloth. +Thus far only the subserviency of the slave extends. All the other +duties in a family, not the slaves, but the wives and children +discharge. To inflict stripes upon a slave, or to put him in chains, or +to doom him to severe labour, are things rarely seen. To kill them they +sometimes are wont, not through correction or government, but in heat +and rage, as they would an enemy, save that no vengeance or penalty +follows. The freedmen very little surpass the slaves, rarely are of +moment in the house; in the community never, excepting only such nations +where arbitrary dominion prevails. For there they bear higher sway +than the free-born, nay, higher than the nobles. In other countries the +inferior condition of freedmen is a proof of public liberty. + +To the practice of usury and of increasing money by interest, they are +strangers; and hence is found a better guard against it, than if it +were forbidden. They shift from land to land; and, still appropriating +a portion suitable to the number of hands for manuring, anon parcel out +the whole amongst particulars according to the condition and quality +of each. As the plains are very spacious, the allotments are easily +assigned. Every year they change, and cultivate a fresh soil; yet +still there is ground to spare. For they strive not to bestow labour +proportionable to the fertility and compass of their lands, by planting +orchards, by enclosing meadows, by watering gardens. From the earth, +corn only is extracted. Hence they quarter not the year into so many +seasons. Winter, Spring, and Summer, they understand; and for each +have proper appellations. Of the name and blessings of Autumn, they are +equally ignorant. + +In performing their funerals, they show no state or vainglory. This only +is carefully observed, that with the corpses of their signal men certain +woods be burned. Upon the funeral pile they accumulate neither apparel +nor perfumes. Into the fire, are always thrown the arms of the dead, and +sometimes his horse. With sods of earth only the sepulchre is raised. +The pomp of tedious and elaborate monuments they contemn, as things +grievous to the deceased. Tears and wailings they soon dismiss: their +affliction and woe they long retain. In women, it is reckoned becoming +to bewail their loss; in men, to remember it. This is what in general +we have learned, in the original and customs of the whole people of +Germany. I shall now deduce the institutions and usages of the several +people, as far as they vary one from another; as also an account of what +nations from thence removed, to settle themselves in Gaul. + +That the Gauls were in times past more puissant and formidable, is +related by the Prince of authors, the deified Julius [Caesar]; and hence +it is probable that they too have passed into Germany. For what a small +obstacle must be a river, to restrain any nation, as each grew +more potent, from seizing or changing habitations; when as yet all +habitations were common, and not parted or appropriated by the founding +and terror of Monarchies? The region therefore between the Hercynian +Forest and the rivers Moenus and Rhine, was occupied by the Helvetians; +as was that beyond it by the Boians, both nations of Gaul. There still +remains a place called _Boiemum_, which denotes the primitive name and +antiquity of the country, although the inhabitants have been changed. +But whether the Araviscans are derived from the Osians, a nation +of Germans passing into Pannonia, or the Osians from the Araviscans +removing from thence into Germany, is a matter undecided; since they +both still use the language, the same customs and the same laws. For, as +of old they lived alike poor and alike free, equal proved the evils +and advantages on each side the river, and common to both people. The +Treverians and Nervians aspire passionately to the reputation of being +descended from the Germans; since by the glory of this original, they +would escape all imputation of resembling the Gauls in person and +effeminacy. Such as dwell upon the bank of the Rhine, the Vangiones, the +Tribocians, and the Nemetes, are without doubt all Germans. The Ubians +are ashamed of their original; though they have a particular honour to +boast, that of having merited an establishment as a Roman Colony, and +still delight to be called _Agrippinensians_, after the name of their +founder: they indeed formerly came from beyond the Rhine, and, for the +many proofs of their fidelity, were settled upon the very bank of the +river; not to be there confined or guarded themselves, but to guard and +defend that boundary against the rest of the Germans. + +Of all these nations, the Batavians are the most signal in bravery. They +inhabit not much territory upon the Rhine, but possess an island in it. +They were formerly part of the Cattans, and by means of feuds at home +removed to these dwellings; whence they might become a portion of the +Roman Empire. With them this honour still remains, as also the memorials +of their ancient association with us: for they are not under the +contempt of paying tribute, nor subject to be squeezed by the farmers of +the revenue. Free from all impositions and payments, and only set apart +for the purposes of fighting, they are reserved wholly for the wars, +in the same manner as a magazine of weapons and armour. Under the same +degree of homage are the nation of the Mattiacians. For such is the +might and greatness of the Roman People, as to have carried the awe and +esteem of their Empire beyond the Rhine and the ancient boundaries. Thus +the Mattiacians, living upon the opposite banks, enjoy a settlement and +limits of their own; yet in spirit and inclination are attached to +us: in other things resembling the Batavians, save that as they still +breathe their original air, still possess their primitive soil, they are +thence inspired with superior vigour and keenness. Amongst the people +of Germany I would not reckon those who occupy the lands which are +under decimation, though they be such as dwell beyond the Rhine and the +Danube. By several worthless and vagabond Gauls, and such as poverty +rendered daring, that region was seized as one belonging to no certain +possessor: afterwards it became a skirt of the Empire and part of a +province, upon the enlargement of our bounds and the extending of our +garrisons and frontier. + +Beyond these are the Cattans, whose territories begin at the Hercynian +Forest, and consist not of such wide and marshy plains, as those of +the other communities contained within the vast compass of Germany; but +produce ranges of hills, such as run lofty and contiguous for a long +tract, then by degrees sink and decay. Moreover the Hercynian Forest +attends for a while its native Cattans, then suddenly forsakes them. +This people are distinguished with bodies more hardy and robust, compact +limbs, stern countenances, and greater vigour of spirit. For Germans, +they are men of much sense and address. They dignify chosen men, listen +to such as are set over them, know how to preserve their post, to +discern occasions, to rebate their own ardour and impatience; how +to employ the day, how to entrench themselves by night. They account +fortune amongst things slippery and uncertain, but bravery amongst such +as are never-failing and secure; and, what is exceeding rare nor ever to +be learnt but by a wholesome course of discipline, in the conduct of +the general they repose more assurance than in the strength of the +army. Their whole forces consist of foot, who besides their arms carry +likewise instruments of iron and their provisions. You may see other +Germans proceed equipped to battle, but the Cattans so as to conduct a +war. They rarely venture upon excursions or casual encounters. It is in +truth peculiar to cavalry, suddenly to conquer, or suddenly to fly. Such +haste and velocity rather resembles fear. Patience and deliberation are +more akin to intrepidity. + +Moreover a custom, practised indeed in other nations of Germany, yet +very rarely and confined only to particulars more daring than the rest, +prevails amongst the Cattans by universal consent. As soon as they +arrive to maturity of years, they let their hair and beards continue to +grow, nor till they have slain an enemy do they ever lay aside this form +of countenance by vow sacred to valour. Over the blood and spoil of a +foe they make bare their face. They allege, that they have now acquitted +themselves of the debt and duty contracted by their birth, and rendered +themselves worthy of their country, worthy of their parents. Upon the +spiritless, cowardly and unwarlike, such deformity of visage still +remains. All the most brave likewise wear an iron ring (a mark of great +dishonour this in that nation) and retain it as a chain; till by killing +an enemy they become released. Many of the Cattans delight always to +bear this terrible aspect; and, when grown white through age, become +awful and conspicuous by such marks, both to the enemy and their own +countrymen. By them in all engagements the first assault is made: of +them the front of the battle is always composed, as men who in their +looks are singular and tremendous. For even during peace they abate +nothing in the grimness and horror of their countenance. They have no +house to inhabit, no land to cultivate, nor any domestic charge or care. +With whomsoever they come to sojourn, by him they are maintained; always +very prodigal of the substance of others, always despising what is their +own, till the feebleness of old age overtakes them, and renders them +unequal to the efforts of such rigid bravery. + +Next to the Cattans, dwell the Usipians and Tencterians; upon the Rhine +now running in a channel uniform and certain, such as suffices for a +boundary. The Tencterians, besides their wonted glory in war, surpass in +the service and discipline of their cavalry. Nor do the Cattans derive +higher applause from their foot, than the Tencterians from their horse. +Such was the order established by their forefathers, and what their +posterity still pursue. From riding and exercising of horse, their +children borrow their pastimes; in this exercise the young men find +matter for emulating one another, and in this the old men take pleasure +to persevere. Horses are by the father bequeathed as part of his +household and family, horses are conveyed amongst the rights of +succession, and as such the son receives them; but not the eldest son, +like other effects, by priority of birth, but he who continues to be +signal in boldness and superior in war. + +Contiguous to the Tencterians formerly dwelt the Bructerians, in whose +room it is said the Chamavians and Angrivarians are now settled; they +who expulsed and almost extirpated the Bructerians, with the concurrence +of the neighbouring nations: whether in detestation of their arrogance, +or allured by the love of spoil, or through the special favour of the +Gods towards us Romans. They in truth even vouchsafed to gratify us with +the sight of the battle. In it there fell above sixty thousand souls, +without a blow struck by the Romans; but, what is a circumstance +still more glorious, fell to furnish them with a spectacle of joy and +recreation. May the Gods continue and perpetuate amongst these nations, +if not any love for us, yet by all means this their animosity and hate +towards each other: since whilst the destiny of the Empire thus urges +it, fortune cannot more signally befriend us, than in sowing strife +amongst our foes. + +The Angrivarians and Chamavians are enclosed behind, by the Dulgibinians +and Chasuarians; and by other nations not so much noted: before the +Frisians face them. The country of Frisia is divided into two; called +the greater and lesser, according to the measure of their strength. Both +nations stretch along the Rhine, quite to the ocean; and surround +vast lakes such as once have born Roman fleets. We have moreover even +ventured out from thence into the ocean, and upon its coasts common fame +has reported the pillars of Hercules to be still standing: whether it be +that Hercules ever visited these parts, or that to his renowned name we +are wont to ascribe whatever is grand and glorious everywhere. Neither +did Drusus who made the attempt, want boldness to pursue it: but the +roughness of the ocean withstood him, nor would suffer discoveries to +be made about itself, no more than about Hercules. Thenceforward the +enterprise was dropped: nay, more pious and reverential it seemed, to +believe the marvellous feats of the Gods than to know and to prove them. + +Hitherto, I have been describing Germany towards the west. To the +northward, it winds away with an immense compass. And first of all +occurs the nation of the Chaucians; who though they begin immediately +at the confines of the Frisians, and occupy part of the shore, extend +so far as to border upon all the several people whom I have already +recounted; till at last, by a Circuit, they reach quite to the +boundaries of the Cattans. A region so vast, the Chaucians do not only +possess but fill; a people of all the Germans the most noble, such as +would rather maintain their grandeur by justice than violence. They live +in repose, retired from broils abroad, void of avidity to possess more, +free from a spirit of domineering over others. They provoke no wars, +they ravage no countries, they pursue no plunder. Of their bravery and +power, the chief evidence arises from hence, that, without wronging or +oppressing others, they are come to be superior to all. Yet they are all +ready to arm, and if an exigency require, armies are presently raised, +powerful and abounding as they are in men and horses; and even when they +are quiet and their weapons laid aside, their credit and name continue +equally high. + +Along the side of the Chaucians and Cattans dwell the Cheruscans; a +people who finding no enemy to rouse them, were enfeebled by a peace +over lasting and uniform, but such as they failed not to nourish. A +conduct which proved more pleasing than secure; since treacherous is +that repose which you enjoy amongst neighbours that are very powerful +and very fond of rule and mastership. When recourse is once had to the +sword, modesty and fair dealing will be vainly pleaded by the weaker; +names these which are always assumed by the stronger. Thus the +Cheruscans, they who formerly bore the character of _good and upright_, +are now called _cowards and fools_; and the fortune of the Cattans +who subdued them, grew immediately to be wisdom. In the ruin of the +Cheruscans, the Fosians, also their neighbours, were involved; and in +their calamities bore an equal share, though in their prosperity they +had been weaker and less considered. + +In the same winding tract of Germany live the Cimbrians, close to the +ocean; a community now very small, but great in fame. Nay, of their +ancient renown, many and extensive are the traces and monuments still +remaining; even their entrenchments upon either shore, so vast in +compass that from thence you may even now measure the greatness and +numerous bands of that people, and assent to the account of an army so +mighty. It was on the six hundred and fortieth year of Rome, when of the +arms of the Cimbrians the first mention was made, during the Consulship +of Caecilius Metellus and Papirius Carbo. If from that time we count to +the second Consulship of the Emperor Trajan, the interval comprehends +near two hundred and ten years; so long have we been conquering Germany. +In a course of time, so vast between these two periods, many have been +the blows and disasters suffered on each side. In truth neither from the +Samnites, nor from the Carthaginians, nor from both Spains, nor from all +the nations of Gaul, have we received more frequent checks and alarms; +nor even from the Parthians: for, more vigorous and invincible is the +liberty of the Germans than the monarchy of the Arsacides. Indeed, what +has the power of the East to allege to our dishonour; but the fall of +Crassus, that power which was itself overthrown and abased by Ventidius, +with the loss of the great King Pacorus bereft of his life? But by the +Germans the Roman People have been bereft of five armies, all commanded +by Consuls; by the Germans, the commanders of these armies, Carbo, and +Cassius, and Scaurus Aurelius, and Servilius Caepio, as also Marcus +Manlius, were all routed or taken: by the Germans even the Emperor +Augustus was bereft of Varus and three legions. Nor without difficulty +and loss of men were they defeated by Caius Marius in Italy, or by the +deified Julius in Gaul, or by Drusus or Tiberius or Germanicus in their +native territories. Soon after, the mighty menaces of Caligula against +them ended in mockery and derision. Thenceforward they continued quiet, +till taking advantage of our domestic division and civil wars, they +stormed and seized the winter entrenchments of the legions, and aimed at +the dominion of Gaul; from whence they were once more expulsed, and in +the times preceding the present, we gained a triumph over them rather +than a victory. + +I must now proceed to speak of the Suevians, who are not, like the +Cattans and Tencterians, comprehended in a single people; but divided +into several nations all bearing distinct names, though in general they +are entitled Suevians, and occupy the larger share of Germany. This +people are remarkable for a peculiar custom, that of twisting their hair +and binding it up in a knot. It is thus the Suevians are distinguished +from the other Germans, thus the free Suevians from their slaves. In +other nations, whether from alliance of blood with the Suevians, or, as +is usual from imitation, this practice is also found, yet rarely, and +never exceeds the years of youth. The Suevians, even when their hair is +white through age, continue to raise it backwards in a manner stern and +staring; and often tie it upon the top of their head only. That of their +Princes, is more accurately disposed, and so far they study to appear +agreeable and comely; but without any culpable intention. For by +it, they mean not to make love or to incite it: they thus dress when +proceeding to war, and deck their heads so as to add to their height and +terror in the eyes of the enemy. + +Of all the Suevians, the Semnones recount themselves to be the most +ancient and most noble. The belief of their antiquity is confirmed +by religious mysteries. At a stated time of the year, all the several +people descended from the same stock, assemble by their deputies in +a wood; consecrated by the idolatries of their forefathers, and by +superstitious awe in times of old. There by publicly sacrificing a man, +they begin the horrible solemnity of their barbarous worship. To this +grove another sort of reverence is also paid. No one enters it otherwise +than bound with ligatures, thence professing his subordination and +meanness, and power of the Deity there. If he fall down, he is not +permitted to rise or be raised, but grovels along upon the ground. And +of all their superstition, this is the drift and tendency; that from +this place the nation drew their original, that here God, the supreme +Governor of the world, resides, and that all things else whatsoever +are subject to him and bound to obey him. The potent condition of the +Semnones has increased their influence and authority, as they inhabit an +hundred towns; and from the largeness of their community it comes, that +they hold themselves for the head of the Suevians. + +What on the contrary ennobles the Langobards is the smallness of their +number, for that they, who are surrounded with very many and very +powerful nations, derive their security from no obsequiousness or +plying; but from the dint of battle and adventurous deeds. There follow +in order the Reudignians, and Aviones, and Angles, and Varinians, and +Eudoses, and Suardones and Nuithones; all defended by rivers or forests. +Nor in one of these nations does aught remarkable occur, only that they +universally join in the worship of _Herthum_; that is to say, the Mother +Earth. Her they believe to interpose in the affairs of men, and to visit +countries. In an island of the ocean stands the wood _Castum_: in it +is a chariot dedicated to the Goddess covered over with a curtain, and +permitted to be touched by none but the Priest. Whenever the Goddess +enters this her holy vehicle, he perceives her; and with profound +veneration attends the motion of the chariot, which is always drawn by +yoked cows. Then it is that days of rejoicing always ensue, and in all +places whatsoever which she descends to honour with a visit and her +company, feasts and recreation abound. They go not to war; they touch +no arms; fast laid up is every hostile weapon; peace and repose are +then only known, then only beloved, till to the temple the same priest +reconducts the Goddess when well tired with the conversation of mortal +beings. Anon the chariot is washed and purified in a secret lake, as +also the curtain; nay, the Deity herself too, if you choose to believe +it. In this office it is slaves who minister, and they are forthwith +doomed to be swallowed up in the same lake. Hence all men are possessed +with mysterious terror; as well as with a holy ignorance what that must +be, which none see but such as are immediately to perish. Moreover this +quarter of the Suevians stretches to the middle of Germany. + +The community next adjoining, is that of the Hermondurians; (that I may +now follow the course of the Danube, as a little before I did that of +the Rhine) a people this, faithful to the Romans. So that to them alone +of all the Germans, commerce is permitted; not barely upon the bank of +the Rhine, but more extensively, and even in that glorious colony in the +province of Rhoetia. They travel everywhere at their own discretion and +without a guard; and when to other nations, we show no more than our +arms and encampments, to this people we throw open our houses and +dwellings, as to men who have no longing to possess them. In the +territories of the Hermondurians rises the Elbe, a river very famous and +formerly well known to us; at present we only hear it named. + +Close by the Hermondurians reside the Nariscans, and next to them the +Marcomanians and Quadians. Amongst these the Marcomanians are most +signal in force and renown; nay, their habitation itself they acquired +by their bravery, as from thence they formerly expulsed the Boians. Nor +do the Nariscans or Quadians degenerate in spirit. Now this is as it +were the frontier of Germany, as far as Germany is washed by the Danube. +To the times within our memory the Marcomanians and Quadians were +governed by kings, who were natives of their own, descended from the +noble line of Maroboduus and Tudrus. At present they are even subject to +such as are foreigners. But the whole strength and sway of their king +is derived from the authority of the Romans. From our arms, they rarely +receive any aid; from our money very frequently. + +Nor less powerful are the several people beyond them; namely, the +Marsignians, the Gothinians, the Osians and the Burians, who altogether +enclose the Marcomanians and Quadians behind. Of those, the Marsignians +and the Burians in speech and dress resemble the Suevians. From the +Gallic language spoken by the Gothinians, and from that of Pannonia by +the Osians, it is manifest that neither of these people are Germans; as +it is also from their bearing to pay tribute. Upon them as upon aliens +their tribute is imposed, partly by the Sarmatians, partly by the +Quadians. The Gothinians, to heighten their disgrace, are forced to +labour in the iron mines. By all these several nations but little level +country is possessed: they are seated amongst forests, and upon +the ridges and declivities of mountains. For, Suevia is parted by a +continual ridge of mountains; beyond which, live many distinct nations. +Of these the Lygians are most numerous and extensive, and spread into +several communities. It will suffice to mention the most puissant; even +the Arians, Helvicones, Manimians; Elysians and Naharvalians. Amongst +the Naharvalians is shown a grove, sacred to devotion extremely ancient. +Over it a Priest presides apparelled like a woman; but according to +the explication of the Romans, 'tis _Castor_ and _Pollux_ who are here +worshipped. This Divinity is named _Alcis_. There are indeed no images +here, no traces of an extraneous superstition; yet their devotion is +addressed to young men and to brothers. Now the Arians, besides their +forces, in which they surpass the several nations just recounted, are +in their persons stern and truculent; and even humour and improve their +natural grimness and ferocity by art and time. They wear black shields, +their bodies are painted black, they choose dark nights for engaging in +battle; and by the very awe and ghastly hue of their army, strike the +enemy with dread, as none can bear this their aspect so surprising and +as it were quite infernal. For, in all battles the eyes are vanquished +first. + +Beyond the Lygians dwell the Gothones, under the rule of a King; and +thence held in subjection somewhat stricter than the other German +nations, yet not so strict as to extinguish all their liberty. +Immediately adjoining are the Rugians and Lemovians upon the coast of +the ocean, and of these several nations the characteristics are a round +shield, a short sword and kingly government. Next occur the communities +of the Suiones, situated in the ocean itself; and besides their strength +in men and arms, very powerful at sea. The form of their vessels varies +thus far from ours, that they have prows at each end, so as to be always +ready to row to shore without turning nor are they moved by sails, nor +on their sides have benches of oars placed, but the rowers ply here and +there in all parts of the ship alike, as in some rivers is done, and +change their oars from place to place, just as they shift their course +hither or thither. To wealth also, amongst them, great veneration is +paid, and thence a single ruler governs them, without all restriction of +power, and exacting unlimited obedience. Neither here, as amongst other +nations of Germany, are arms used indifferently by all, but shut up and +warded under the care of a particular keeper, who in truth too is always +a slave: since from all sudden invasions and attacks from their foes, +the ocean protects them: besides that armed bands, when they are not +employed, grow easily debauched and tumultuous. The truth is, it suits +not the interest of an arbitrary Prince, to trust the care and power of +arms either with a nobleman or with a freeman, or indeed with any man +above the condition of a slave. + +Beyond the Suiones is another sea, one very heavy and almost void +of agitation; and by it the whole globe is thought to be bounded and +environed, for that the reflection of the sun, after his setting, +continues till his rising, so bright as to darken the stars. To this, +popular opinion has added, that the tumult also of his emerging from +the sea is heard, that forms divine are then seen, as likewise the rays +about his head. Only thus far extend the limits of nature, if what fame +says be true. Upon the right of the Suevian Sea the AEstyan nations +reside, who use the same customs and attire with the Suevians; their +language more resembles that of Britain. They worship the Mother of the +Gods. As the characteristic of their national superstition, they wear +the images of wild boars. This alone serves them for arms, this is the +safeguard of all, and by this every worshipper of the goddess is secured +even amidst his foes. Rare amongst them is the use of weapons of iron, +but frequent that of clubs. In producing of grain and the other fruits +of the earth, they labour with more assiduity and patience than is +suitable to the usual laziness of Germans. Nay, they even search the +deep, and of all the rest are the only people who gather _amber_. They +call it _glasing_, and find it amongst the shallows and upon the very +shore. But, according to the ordinary incuriosity and ignorance of +Barbarians, they have neither learnt, nor do they inquire, what is +its nature, or from what cause it is produced. In truth it lay long +neglected amongst the other gross discharges of the sea; till from our +luxury, it gained a name and value. To themselves it is of no use: they +gather it rough, they expose it in pieces coarse and unpolished, and for +it receive a price with wonder. You would however conceive it to be a +liquor issuing from trees, for that in the transparent substance are +often seen birds and other animals, such as at first stuck in the soft +gum, and by it, as it hardened, became quite enclosed. I am apt to +believe that, as in the recesses of the East are found woods and groves +dropping frankincense and balms, so in the isles and continent of the +West such gums are extracted by the force and proximity of the sun; at +first liquid and flowing into the next sea, then thrown by the winds +and waves upon the opposite shore. If you try the nature of amber by +the application of fire, it kindles like a torch; and feeds a thick and +unctuous flame very high scented, and presently becomes glutinous like +pitch or rosin. + +Upon the Suiones, border the people Sitones; and, agreeing with them in +all other things, differ from them in one, that here the sovereignty is +exercised by a woman. So notoriously do they degenerate not only from +a state of liberty, but even below a state of bondage. Here end the +territories of the Suevians. + +Whether amongst the Sarmatians or the Germans I ought to account the +Peucinians, the Venedians, and the Fennians, is what I cannot determine; +though the Peucinians, whom some call Basstarnians, speak the same +language with the Germans, use the same attire, build like them, and +live like them, in that dirtiness and sloth so common to all. +Somewhat they are corrupted into the fashion of the Sarmatians by the +inter-marriages of the principal sort with that nation: from whence +the Venedians have derived very many of their customs and a great +resemblance. For they are continually traversing and infesting with +robberies all the forests and mountains lying between the Peucinians +and Fennians. Yet they are rather reckoned amongst the Germans, for +that they have fixed houses, and carry shields, and prefer travelling +on foot, and excel in swiftness. Usages these, all widely differing from +those of the Sarmatians, who live on horseback and dwell in waggons. +In wonderful savageness live the nation of the Fennians, and in beastly +poverty, destitute of arms, of horses, and of homes; their food, the +common herbs; their apparel, skins; their bed, the earth; their only +hope in their arrows, which for want of iron they point with bones. +Their common support they have from the chase, women as well as men; +for with these the former wander up and down, and crave a portion of +the prey. Nor other shelter have they even for their babes, against the +violence of tempests and ravening beasts, than to cover them with the +branches of trees twisted together; this a reception for the old men, +and hither resort the young. Such a condition they judge more happy than +the painful occupation of cultivating the ground, than the labour of +rearing houses, than the agitations of hope and fear attending the +defence of their own property or the seizing that of others. Secure +against the designs of men, secure against the malignity of the Gods, +they have accomplished a thing of infinite difficulty; that to them +nothing remains even to be wished. + +What further accounts we have are fabulous: as that the Hellusians and +Oxiones have the countenances and aspect of men, with the bodies and +limbs of savage beasts. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.07.00*END* + + + + + +Etext prepared by Dagny, dagnyj@hotmail.com +and John Bickers, jbickers@ihug.co.nz + + + + + +TACITUS ON GERMANY + +Translated by +Thomas Gordon + + + + +PREPARER'S NOTE + + This text was prepared from a 1910 edition, published by P F + Collier & Son Company, New York. + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +The dates of the birth and death of Tacitus are uncertain, but it is +probable that he was born about 54 A. D. and died after 117. He was a +contemporary and friend of the younger Pliny, who addressed to him +some of his most famous epistles. Tacitus was apparently of the +equestrian class, was an advocate by training, and had a reputation as +an orator, though none of his speeches has survived. He held a number +of important public offices, and married the daughter of Agricola, the +conqueror of Britain, whose life he wrote. + +The two chief works of Tacitus, the "Annals" and the "Histories," +covered the history of Rome from the death of Augustus to A. D. 96; +but the greater part of the "Histories" is lost, and the fragment that +remains deals only with the year 69 and part of 70. In the "Annals" +there are several gaps, but what survives describes a large part of +the reigns of Tiberius, Claudius, and Nero. His minor works, besides +the life of Agricola, already mentioned, are a "Dialogue on Orators" +and the account of Germany, its situation, its inhabitants, their +character and customs, which is here printed. + +Tacitus stands in the front rank of the historians of antiquity for +the accuracy of his learning, the fairness of his judgments, the +richness, concentration, and precision of his style. His great +successor, Gibbon, called him a "philosophical historian, whose +writings will instruct the last generations of mankind"; and Montaigne +knew no author "who, in a work of history, has taken so broad a view +of human events or given a more just analysis of particular +characters." + +The "Germany" is a document of the greatest interest and importance, +since it gives us by far the most detailed account of the state of +culture among the tribes that are the ancestors of the modern Teutonic +nations, at the time when they first came into account with the +civilization of the Mediterranean. + + + + + +TACITUS ON GERMANY + + + +The whole of Germany is thus bounded; separated from Gaul, from +Rhoetia and Pannonia, by the rivers Rhine and Danube; from Sarmatia +and Dacia by mutual fear, or by high mountains: the rest is +encompassed by the ocean, which forms huge bays, and comprehends a +tract of islands immense in extent: for we have lately known certain +nations and kingdoms there, such as the war discovered. The Rhine +rising in the Rhoetian Alps form a summit altogether rocky and +perpendicular, after a small winding towards the west, is lost in the +Northern Ocean. The Danube issues out of the mountain Abnoba, one very +high but very easy of ascent, and traversing several nations, falls by +six streams into the Euxine Sea; for its seventh channel is absorbed +in the Fenns. + +The Germans, I am apt to believe, derive their original from no other +people; and are nowise mixed with different nations arriving amongst +them: since anciently those who went in search of new dwellings, +travelled not by land, but were carried in fleets; and into that +mighty ocean so boundless, and, as I may call it, so repugnant and +forbidding, ships from our world rarely enter. Moreover, besides the +dangers from a sea tempestuous, horrid and unknown, who would +relinquish Asia, or Africa, or Italy, to repair to Germany, a region +hideous and rude, under a rigorous climate, dismal to behold or to +manure [to cultivate] unless the same were his native country? In +their old ballads (which amongst them are the only sort of registers +and history) they celebrate /Tuisto/, a God sprung from the earth, and +/Mannus/ his son, as the fathers and founders of the nation. To +/Mannus/ they assign three sons, after whose names so many people are +called; the Ingaevones, dwelling next the ocean; the Herminones, in +the middle country; and all the rest, Instaevones. Some, borrowing a +warrant from the darkness of antiquity, maintain that the God had more +sons, that thence came more denominations of people, the Marsians, +Gambrians, Suevians, and Vandalians, and that these are the names +truly genuine and original. For the rest, they affirm Germany to be a +recent word, lately bestowed: for that those who first passed the +Rhine and expulsed the Gauls, and are now named Tungrians, were then +called Germans: and thus by degrees the name of a tribe prevailed, not +that of the nation; so that by an appellation at first occasioned by +terror and conquest, they afterwards chose to be distinguished, and +assuming a name lately invented were universally called /Germans/. + +They have a tradition that Hercules also had been in their country, +and him above all other heroes they extol in their songs when they +advance to battle. Amongst them too are found that kind of verses by +the recital of which (by them called /Barding/) they inspire bravery; +nay, by such chanting itself they divine the success of the +approaching fight. For, according to the different din of the battle +they urge furiously, or shrink timorously. Nor does what they utter, +so much seem to be singing as the voice and exertion of valour. They +chiefly study a tone fierce and harsh, with a broken and unequal +murmur, and therefore apply their shields to their mouths, whence the +voice may by rebounding swell with greater fulness and force. Besides +there are some of opinion, that Ulysses, whilst he wandered about in +his long and fabulous voyages, was carried into this ocean and entered +Germany, and that by him Asciburgium was founded and named, a city at +this day standing and inhabited upon the bank of the Rhine: nay, that +in the same place was formerly found an altar dedicated to Ulysses, +with the name of his father Laertes added to his own, and that upon +the confines of Germany and Rhoetia are still extant certain monuments +and tombs inscribed with Greek characters. Traditions these which I +mean not either to confirm with arguments of my own or to refute. Let +every one believe or deny the same according to his own bent. + +For myself, I concur in opinion with such as suppose the people of +Germany never to have mingled by inter-marriages with other nations, +but to have remained a people pure, and independent, and resembling +none but themselves. Hence amongst such a mighty multitude of men, the +same make and form is found in all, eyes stern and blue, yellow hair, +huge bodies, but vigorous only in the first onset. Of pains and labour +they are not equally patient, nor can they at all endure thrift and +heat. To bear hunger and cold they are hardened by their climate and +soil. + +Their lands, however somewhat different in aspect, yet taken all +together consist of gloomy forests or nasty marshes; lower and moister +towards Noricum and Pannonia; very apt to bear grain, but altogether +unkindly to fruit trees; abounding in flocks and herds, but generally +small of growth. Nor even in their oxen is found the usual +stateliness, no more than the natural ornaments and grandeur of head. +In the number of their herds they rejoice; and these are their only, +these their most desirable riches. Silver and gold the Gods have +denied them, whether in mercy or in wrath, I am unable to determine. +Yet I would not venture to aver that in Germany no vein of gold or +silver is produced; for who has ever searched? For the use and +possession, it is certain they care not. Amongst them indeed are to be +seen vessels of silver, such as have been presented to their Princes +and Ambassadors, but holden in no other esteem than vessels made of +earth. The Germans however adjoining to our frontiers value gold and +silver for the purposes of commerce, and are wont to distinguish and +prefer certain of our coins. They who live more remote are more +primitive and simple in their dealings, and exchange one commodity for +another. The money which they like is the old and long known, that +indented [with milled edges], or that impressed with a chariot and two +horses. Silver too is what they seek more than gold, from no fondness +or preference, but because small pieces are more ready in purchasing +things cheap and common. + +Neither in truth do they abound in iron, as from the fashion of their +weapons may be gathered. Swords they rarely use, or the larger spear. +They carry javelins or, in their own language, /framms/, pointed with +a piece of iron short and narrow, but so sharp and manageable, that +with the same weapon they can fight at a distance or hand to hand, +just as need requires. Nay, the horsemen also are content with a +shield and a javelin. The foot throw likewise weapons missive, each +particular is armed with many, and hurls them a mighty space, all +naked or only wearing a light cassock. In their equipment they show no +ostentation; only that their shields are diversified and adorned with +curious colours. With coats of mail very few are furnished, and hardly +upon any is seen a headpiece or helmet. Their horses are nowise signal +either in fashion or in fleetness; nor taught to wheel and bound, +according to the practice of the Romans: they only move them forward +in a line, or turn them right about, with such compactness and +equality that no one is ever behind the rest. To one who considers the +whole it is manifest, that in their foot their principal strength +lies, and therefore they fight intermixed with the motions and +engagements of the cavalry. So that the infantry are elected from +amongst the most robust of their youth, and placed in front of the +army. The number to be sent is also ascertained, out of every village +/an hundred/, and by this very name they continue to be called at +home, /those of the hundred band/: thus what was at first no more than +a number, becomes thenceforth a title and distinction of honour. In +arraying their army, they divide the whole into distinct battalions +formed sharp in front. To recoil in battle, provided you return again +to the attack, passes with them rather for policy than fear. Even when +the combat is no more than doubtful, they bear away the bodies of +their slain. The most glaring disgrace that can befall them, is to +have quitted their shield; nor to one branded with such ignominy is it +lawful to join in their sacrifices, or to enter into their assemblies; +and many who had escaped in the day of battle, have hanged themselves +to put an end to this their infamy. + +In the choice of kings they are determined by the splendour of their +race, in that of generals by their bravery. Neither is the power of +their kings unbounded or arbitrary: and their generals procure +obedience not so much by the force of their authority as by that of +their example, when they appear enterprising and brave, when they +signalise themselves by courage and prowess; and if they surpass all +in admiration and pre-eminence, if they surpass all at the head of an +army. But to none else but the Priests is it allowed to exercise +correction, or to inflict bonds or stripes. Nor when the Priests do +this, is the same considered as a punishment, or arising from the +orders of the general, but from the immediate command of the Deity, +Him whom they believe to accompany them in war. They therefore carry +with them when going to fight, certain images and figures taken out of +their holy groves. What proves the principal incentive to their valour +is, that it is not at random nor by the fortuitous conflux of men that +their troops and pointed battalions are formed, but by the conjunction +of whole families, and tribes of relations. Moreover, close to the +field of battle are lodged all the nearest and most interesting +pledges of nature. Hence they hear the doleful howlings of their +wives, hence the cries of their tender infants. These are to each +particular the witnesses whom he most reverences and dreads; these +yield him the praise which affect him most. Their wounds and maims +they carry to their mothers, or to their wives, neither are their +mothers or wives shocked in telling, or in sucking their bleeding +sores. Nay, to their husbands and sons whilst engaged in battle, they +administer meat and encouragement. + +In history we find, that some armies already yielding and ready to +fly, have been by women restored, through their inflexible importunity +and entreaties, presenting their breasts, and showing their impending +captivity; an evil to the Germans then by far most dreadful when it +befalls their women. So that the spirit of such cities as amongst +their hostages are enjoined to send their damsels of quality, is +always engaged more effectually than that of others. They even believe +them endowed with something celestial and the spirit of prophecy. +Neither do they disdain to consult them, nor neglect the responses +which they return. In the reign of the deified Vespasian, we have seen +/Veleda/ for a long time, and by many nations, esteemed and adored as +a divinity. In times past they likewise worshipped /Aurinia/ and +several more, from no complaisance or effort of flattery, nor as +Deities of their own creating. + +Of all the Gods, Mercury is he whom they worship most. To him on +certain stated days it is lawful to offer even human victims. Hercules +and Mars they appease with beasts usually allowed for sacrifice. Some +of the Suevians make likewise immolations to /Isis/. Concerning the +cause and original of this foreign sacrifice I have found small light; +unless the figure of her image formed like a galley, show that such +devotion arrived from abroad. For the rest, from the grandeur and +majesty of beings celestial, they judge it altogether unsuitable to +hold the Gods enclosed within walls, or to represent them under any +human likeness. They consecrate whole woods and groves, and by the +names of the Gods they call these recesses; divinities these, which +only in contemplation and mental reverence they behold. + +To the use of lots and auguries, they are addicted beyond all other +nations. Their method of divining by lots is exceeding simple. From a +tree which bears fruit they cut a twig, and divide it into two small +pieces. These they distinguish by so many several marks, and throw +them at random and without order upon a white garment. Then the Priest +of the community, if for the public the lots are consulted, or the +father of a family if about a private concern, after he has solemnly +invoked the Gods, with eyes lifted up to heaven, takes up every piece +thrice, and having done thus forms a judgment according to the marks +before made. If the chances have proved forbidding, they are no more +consulted upon the same affair during the same day; even when they are +inviting, yet, for confirmation, the faith of auguries too is tried. +Yea, here also is the known practice of divining events from the +voices and flight of birds. But to this nation it is peculiar, to +learn presages and admonitions divine from horses also. These are +nourished by the State in the same sacred woods and grooves, all milk- +white and employed in no earthly labour. These yoked in the holy +chariot, are accompanied by the Priest and the King, or the Chief of +the community, who both carefully observed his actions and neighing. +Nor in any sort of augury is more faith and assurance reposed, not by +the populace only, but even by the nobles, even by the Priests. These +account themselves the ministers of the Gods, and the horses privy to +his will. They have likewise another method of divination, whence to +learn the issue of great and mighty wars. From the nation with whom +they are at war they contrive, it avails not how, to gain a captive: +him they engage in combat with one selected from amongst themselves, +each armed after the manner of his country, and according as the +victory falls to this or to the other, gather a presage of the whole. + +Affairs of smaller moment the chiefs determine: about matters of +higher consequence the whole nation deliberates; yet in such sort, +that whatever depends upon the pleasure and decision of the people, is +examined and discussed by the chiefs. Where no accident or emergency +intervenes, they assemble upon stated days, either, when the moon +changes, or is full: since they believe such seasons to be the most +fortunate for beginning all transactions. Neither in reckoning of time +do they count, like us, the number of days but that of nights. In this +style their ordinances are framed, in this style their diets +appointed; and with them the night seems to lead and govern the day. +From their extensive liberty this evil and default flows, that they +meet not at once, nor as men commanded and afraid to disobey; so that +often the second day, nay often the third, is consumed through the +slowness of the members in assembling. They sit down as they list, +promiscuously, like a crowd, and all armed. It is by the Priests that +silence is enjoined, and with the power of correction the Priests are +then invested. Then the King or Chief is heard, as are others, each +according to his precedence in age, or in nobility, or in warlike +renown, or in eloquence; and the influence of every speaker proceeds +rather from his ability to persuade than from any authority to +command. If the proposition displease, they reject it by an +inarticulate murmur: if it be pleasing, they brandish their javelins. +The most honourable manner of signifying their assent, is to express +their applause by the sound of their arms. + +In the assembly it is allowed to present accusations, and to prosecute +capital offences. Punishments vary according to the quality of the +crime. Traitors and deserters they hang upon trees. Cowards, and +sluggards, and unnatural prostitutes they smother in mud and bogs +under an heap of hurdles. Such diversity in their executions has this +view, that in punishing of glaring iniquities, it behooves likewise to +display them to sight; but effeminacy and pollution must be buried and +concealed. In lighter transgressions too the penalty is measured by +the fault, and the delinquents upon conviction are condemned to pay a +certain number of horses or cattle. Part of this mulct accrues to the +King or to the community, part to him whose wrongs are vindicated, or +to his next kindred. In the same assemblies are also chosen their +chiefs or rulers, such as administer justice in their villages and +boroughs. To each of these are assigned an hundred persons chosen from +amongst the populace, to accompany and assist him, men who help him at +once with their authority and their counsel. + +Without being armed they transact nothing, whether of public or +private concernment. But it is repugnant to their custom for any man +to use arms, before the community has attested his capacity to wield +them. Upon such testimonial, either one of the rulers, or his father, +or some kinsman dignify the young man in the midst of the assembly, +with a shield and javelin. This amongst them is the /manly robe/, this +first degree of honour conferred upon their youth. Before this they +seem no more than part of a private family, but thenceforward part of +the Commonweal. The princely dignity they confer even upon striplings, +whose race is eminently noble, or whose fathers have done great and +signal services to the State. For about the rest, who are more +vigorous and long since tried, they crowd to attend; nor is it any +shame to be seen amongst the followers of these. Nay, there are +likewise degrees of followers, higher or lower, just as he whom they +follow judges fit. Mighty too is the emulation amongst these +followers, of each to be first in favour with his Prince; mighty also +the emulation of the Princes, to excel in the number and valour of +followers. This is their principal state, this their chief force, to +be at all times surrounded with a huge band of chosen young men, for +ornament and glory in peace, for security and defence in war. Nor is +it amongst his own people only, but even from the neighbouring +communities, that any of their Princes reaps so much renown and a name +so great, when he surpasses in the number and magnanimity of his +followers. For such are courted by Embassies, and distinguished with +presents, and by the terror of their fame alone often dissipate wars. + +In the day of battle, it is scandalous to the Prince to be surpassed +in feats of bravery, scandalous to his followers to fail in matching +the bravery of the Prince. But it is infamy during life, and indelible +reproach, to return alive from a battle where their Prince was slain. +To preserve their Prince, to defend him, and to ascribe to his glory +all their own valorous deeds, is the sum and most sacred part of their +oath. The Princes fight for victory; for the Prince his followers +fight. Many of the young nobility, when their own community comes to +languish in its vigour by long peace and inactivity, betake themselves +through impatience in other States which then prove to be in war. For, +besides that this people cannot brook repose, besides that by perilous +adventures they more quickly blazon their fame, they cannot otherwise +than by violence and war support their huge train of retainers. For +from the liberality of their Prince, they demand and enjoy that /war- +horse/ of theirs, with that /victorious javelin/ dyed in the blood of +their enemies. In the place of pay, they are supplied with a daily +table and repasts; though grossly prepared, yet very profuse. For +maintaining such liberality and munificence, a fund is furnished by +continual wars and plunder. Nor could you so easily persuade them to +cultivate the ground, or to await the return of the seasons and +produce of the year, as to provoke the foe and to risk wounds and +death: since stupid and spiritless they account it, to acquire by +their sweat what they can gain by their blood. + +Upon any recess from war, they do not much attend the chase. Much more +of their time they pass in indolence, resigned to sleep and repasts. +All the most brave, all the most warlike, apply to nothing at all; but +to their wives, to the ancient men, and to even the most impotent +domestic, trust all the care of their house, and of their lands and +possessions. They themselves loiter. Such is the amazing diversity of +their nature, that in the same men is found so much delight in sloth, +with so much enmity to tranquillity and repose. The communities are +wont, of their own accord and man by man, to bestow upon their Princes +a certain number of beasts, or a certain portion of grain; a +contribution which passes indeed for a mark of reverence and honour, +but serves also to supply their necessities. They chiefly rejoice in +the gifts which come from the bordering countries, such as are sent +not only by particulars but in the name of the State; curious horses, +splendid armour, rich harness, with collars of silver and gold. Now +too they have learnt, what we have taught them, to receive money. + +That none of the several people in Germany live together in cities, is +abundantly known; nay, that amongst them none of their dwellings are +suffered to be contiguous. They inhabit apart and distinct, just as a +fountain, or a field, or a wood happened to invite them to settle. +They raise their villages in opposite rows, but not in our manner with +the houses joined one to another. Every man has a vacant space quite +round his own, whether for security against accidents from fire, or +that they want the art of building. With them in truth, is unknown +even the use of mortar and of tiles. In all their structures they +employ materials quite gross and unhewn, void of fashion and +comeliness. Some parts they besmear with an earth so pure and +resplendent, that it resembles painting and colours. They are likewise +wont to scoop caves deep in the ground, and over them to lay great +heaps of dung. Thither they retire for shelter in the winter, and +thither convey their grain: for by such close places they mollify the +rigorous and excessive cold. Besides when at any time their enemy +invades them, he can only ravage the open country, but either knows +not such recesses as are invisible and subterraneous; or must suffer +them to escape him, on this very account that he is uncertain where to +find them. + +For their covering a mantle is what they all wear, fastened with a +clasp or, for want of it, with a thorn. As far as this reaches not +they are naked, and lie whole days before the fire. The most wealthy +are distinguished with a vest, not one large and flowing like those of +Sarmatians and Parthians, but girt close about them and expressing the +proportion of every limb. They likewise wear the skins of savage +beasts, a dress which those bordering upon the Rhine use without any +fondness or delicacy, but about which such who live further in the +country are more curious, as void of all apparel introduced by +commerce. They choose certain wild beasts, and, having flayed them, +diversify their hides with many spots, as also with the skins of +monsters from the deep, such as are engendered in the distant ocean +and in seas unknown. Neither does the dress of the women differ from +that of the men, save that the women are orderly attired in linen +embroidered with purple, and use no sleeves, so that all their arms +are bare. The upper part of their breast is withal exposed. + +Yet the laws of matrimony are severely observed there; for in the +whole of their manners is aught more praiseworthy than this: for they +are almost the only Barbarians contented with one wife, excepting a +very few amongst them; men of dignity who marry divers wives, from no +wantonness or lubricity, but courted for the lustre of their family +into many alliances. + +To the husband, the wife tenders no dowry; but the husband, to the +wife. The parents and relations attend and declare their approbation +of the presents, not presents adapted to feminine pomp and delicacy, +nor such as serve to deck the new married woman; but oxen and horse +accoutred, and a shield, with a javelin and sword. By virtue of these +gifts, she is espoused. She too on her part brings her husband some +arms. This they esteem the highest tie, these the holy mysteries, and +matrimonial Gods. That the woman may not suppose herself free from the +considerations of fortitude and fighting, or exempt from the +casualties of war, the very first solemnities of her wedding serve to +warn her, that she comes to her husband as a partner in his hazards +and fatigues, that she is to suffer alike with him, to adventure +alike, during peace or during war. This the oxen joined in the same +yoke plainly indicate, this the horse ready equipped, this the present +of arms. 'Tis thus she must be content to live, thus to resign life. +The arms which she then receives she must preserve inviolate, and to +her sons restore the same, as presents worthy of them, such as their +wives may again receive, and still resign to her grandchildren. + +They therefore live in a state of chastity well secured; corrupted by +no seducing shows and public diversions, by no irritations from +banqueting. Of learning and of any secret intercourse by letters, they +are all equally ignorant, men and women. Amongst a people so numerous, +adultery is exceeding rare; a crime instantly punished, and the +punishment left to be inflicted by the husband. He, having cut off her +hair, expells her from his house naked, in presence of her kindred, +and pursues her with stripes throughout the village. For, to a woman +who has prostituted her person, no pardon is ever granted. However +beautiful she may be, however young, however abounding in wealth, a +husband she can never find. In truth, nobody turns vices into mirth +there, nor is the practice of corrupting and of yielding to +corruption, called the custom of the Age. Better still do those +communities, in which none but virgins marry, and where to a single +marriage all their views and inclinations are at once confined. Thus, +as they have but one body and one life, they take but one husband, +that beyond him they may have no thought, no further wishes, nor love +him only as their husband but as their marriage. To restrain +generation and the increase of children, is esteemed an abominable +sin, as also to kill infants newly born. And more powerful with them +are good manners, than with other people are good laws. + +In all their houses the children are reared naked and nasty; and thus +grow into those limbs, into that bulk, which with marvel we behold. +They are all nourished with the milk of their own mothers, and never +surrendered to handmaids and nurses. The lord you cannot discern from +the slave, by any superior delicacy in rearing. Amongst the same +cattle they promiscuously live, upon the same ground they without +distinction lie, till at a proper age the free-born are parted from +the rest, and their bravery recommend them to notice. Slow and late do +the young men come to the use of women, and thus very long preserve +the vigour of youth. Neither are the virgins hastened to wed. They +must both have the same sprightly youth, the like stature, and marry +when equal and able-bodied. Thus the robustness of the parents is +inherited by the children. Children are holden in the same estimation +with their mother's brother, as with their father. Some hold this tie +of blood to be most inviolable and binding, and in receiving of +hostages, such pledges are most considered and claimed, as they who at +once possess affections the most unalienable, and the most diffuse +interest in their family. To every man, however, his own children are +heirs and successors: wills they make none: for want of children his +next akin inherits; his own brothers, those of his father, or those of +his mother. To ancient men, the more they abound in descendants, in +relations and affinities, so much the more favour and reverence +accrues. From being childless, no advantage nor estimation is derived. + +All the enmities of your house, whether of your father or of your +kindred, you must necessarily adopt; as well as all their friendships. +Neither are such enmities unappeasable and permanent: since even for +so great a crime as homicide, compensation is made by a fixed number +of sheep and cattle, and by it the whole family is pacified to +content. A temper this, wholesome to the State; because to a free +nation, animosities and faction are always more menacing and perilous. +In social feasts, and deeds of hospitality, no nation upon earth was +ever more liberal and abounding. To refuse admitting under your roof +any man whatsoever, is held wicked and inhuman. Every man receives +every comer, and treats him with repasts as large as his ability can +possibly furnish. When the whole stock is consumed, he who has treated +so hospitably guides and accompanies his guest to the next house, +though neither of them invited. Nor avails it, that they were not; +they are there received, with the same frankness and humanity. Between +a stranger and an acquaintance, in dispensing the rules and benefits +of hospitality, no difference is made. Upon your departure, if you ask +anything, it is the custom to grant it; and with the same facility, +they ask of you. In gifts they delight, but neither claim merit from +what they give, nor own any obligation for what they receive. Their +manner of entertaining their guests is familiar and kind. + +The moment they rise from sleep, which they generally prolong till +late in the day, they bathe, most frequently in warm water; as in a +country where the winter is very long and severe. From bathing, they +sit down to meat; every man apart, upon a particular seat, and at a +separate table. They then proceed to their affairs, all in arms; as in +arms, they no less frequently go to banquet. To continue drinking +night and day without intermission, is a reproach to no man. Frequent +then are their broils, as usual amongst men intoxicated with liquor; +and such broils rarely terminate in angry words, but for the most part +in maimings and slaughter. Moreover in these their feasts, they +generally deliberate about reconciling parties at enmity, about +forming affinities, choosing of Princes, and finally about peace and +war. For they judge, that at no season is the soul more open to +thoughts that are artless and upright, or more fired with such as are +great and bold. This people, of themselves nowise subtile or politic, +from the freedom of the place and occasion acquire still more +frankness to disclose the most secret motions and purposes of their +hearts. When therefore the minds of all have been once laid open and +declared, on the day following the several sentiments are revised and +canvassed; and to both conjectures of time, due regard is had. They +consult, when they know not how to dissemble; they determine, when +they cannot mistake. + +For their drink, they draw a liquor from barley or other grain; and +ferment the same so as to make it resemble wine. Nay, they who dwell +upon the bank of the Rhine deal in wine. Their food is very simple; +wild fruit, fresh venison, or coagulated milk. They banish hunger +without formality, without curious dressing and curious fare. In +extinguishing thirst, they use not equal temperance. If you will but +humour their excess in drinking, and supply them with as much as they +covet, it will be no less easy to vanquish them by vices than by arms. + +Of public diversions they have but one sort, and in all their meetings +the same is still exhibited. Young men, such as make it their pastime, +fling themselves naked and dance amongst sharp swords and the deadly +points of javelins. From habit they acquire their skill, and from +their skill a graceful manner; yet from hence draw no gain or hire: +though this adventurous gaiety has its reward, namely, that of +pleasing the spectators. What is marvellous, playing at dice is one of +their most serious employments; and even sober, they are gamesters: +nay, so desperately do they venture upon the chance of winning or +losing, that when their whole substance is played away, they stake +their liberty and their persons upon one and the last throw. The loser +goes calmly into voluntary bondage. However younger he be, however +stronger, he tamely suffers himself to be bound and sold by the +winner. Such is their perseverance in an evil course: they themselves +call it honour. + +Slaves of this class, they exchange in commerce, to free themselves +too from the shame of such a victory. Of their other slaves they make +not such use as we do of ours, by distributing amongst them the +several offices and employments of the family. Each of them has a +dwelling of his own, each a household to govern. His lord uses him +like a tenant, and obliges him to pay a quantity of grain, or of +cattle, or of cloth. Thus far only the subserviency of the slave +extends. All the other duties in a family, not the slaves, but the +wives and children discharge. To inflict stripes upon a slave, or to +put him in chains, or to doom him to severe labour, are things rarely +seen. To kill them they sometimes are wont, not through correction or +government, but in heat and rage, as they would an enemy, save that no +vengeance or penalty follows. The freedmen very little surpass the +slaves, rarely are of moment in the house; in the community never, +excepting only such nations where arbitrary dominion prevails. For +there they bear higher sway than the free-born, nay, higher than the +nobles. In other countries the inferior condition of freedmen is a +proof of public liberty. + +To the practice of usury and of increasing money by interest, they are +strangers; and hence is found a better guard against it, than if it +were forbidden. They shift from land to land; and, still appropriating +a portion suitable to the number of hands for manuring, anon parcel +out the whole amongst particulars according to the condition and +quality of each. As the plains are very spacious, the allotments are +easily assigned. Every year they change, and cultivate a fresh soil; +yet still there is ground to spare. For they strive not to bestow +labour proportionable to the fertility and compass of their lands, by +planting orchards, by enclosing meadows, by watering gardens. From the +earth, corn only is extracted. Hence they quarter not the year into so +many seasons. Winter, Spring, and Summer, they understand; and for +each have proper appellations. Of the name and blessings of Autumn, +they are equally ignorant. + +In performing their funerals, they show no state or vainglory. This +only is carefully observed, that with the corpses of their signal men +certain woods be burned. Upon the funeral pile they accumulate neither +apparel nor perfumes. Into the fire, are always thrown the arms of the +dead, and sometimes his horse. With sods of earth only the sepulchre +is raised. The pomp of tedious and elaborate monuments they contemn, +as things grievous to the deceased. Tears and wailings they soon +dismiss: their affliction and woe they long retain. In women, it is +reckoned becoming to bewail their loss; in men, to remember it. This +is what in general we have learned, in the original and customs of the +whole people of Germany. I shall now deduce the institutions and +usages of the several people, as far as they vary one from another; as +also an account of what nations from thence removed, to settle +themselves in Gaul. + +That the Gauls were in times past more puissant and formidable, is +related by the Prince of authors, the deified Julius [Caesar]; and +hence it is probable that they too have passed into Germany. For what +a small obstacle must be a river, to restrain any nation, as each grew +more potent, from seizing or changing habitations; when as yet all +habitations were common, and not parted or appropriated by the +founding and terror of Monarchies? The region therefore between the +Hercynian Forest and the rivers Moenus and Rhine, was occupied by the +Helvetians; as was that beyond it by the Boians, both nations of Gaul. +There still remains a place called /Boiemum/, which denotes the +primitive name and antiquity of the country, although the inhabitants +have been changed. But whether the Araviscans are derived from the +Osians, a nation of Germans passing into Pannonia, or the Osians from +the Araviscans removing from thence into Germany, is a matter +undecided; since they both still use the language, the same customs +and the same laws. For, as of old they lived alike poor and alike +free, equal proved the evils and advantages on each side the river, +and common to both people. The Treverians and Nervians aspire +passionately to the reputation of being descended from the Germans; +since by the glory of this original, they would escape all imputation +of resembling the Gauls in person and effeminacy. Such as dwell upon +the bank of the Rhine, the Vangiones, the Tribocians, and the Nemetes, +are without doubt all Germans. The Ubians are ashamed of their +original; though they have a particular honour to boast, that of +having merited an establishment as a Roman Colony, and still delight +to be called /Agrippinensians/, after the name of their founder: they +indeed formerly came from beyond the Rhine, and, for the many proofs +of their fidelity, were settled upon the very bank of the river; not +to be there confined or guarded themselves, but to guard and defend +that boundary against the rest of the Germans. + +Of all these nations, the Batavians are the most signal in bravery. +They inhabit not much territory upon the Rhine, but possess an island +in it. They were formerly part of the Cattans, and by means of feuds +at home removed to these dwellings; whence they might become a portion +of the Roman Empire. With them this honour still remains, as also the +memorials of their ancient association with us: for they are not under +the contempt of paying tribute, nor subject to be squeezed by the +farmers of the revenue. Free from all impositions and payments, and +only set apart for the purposes of fighting, they are reserved wholly +for the wars, in the same manner as a magazine of weapons and armour. +Under the same degree of homage are the nation of the Mattiacians. For +such is the might and greatness of the Roman People, as to have +carried the awe and esteem of their Empire beyond the Rhine and the +ancient boundaries. Thus the Mattiacians, living upon the opposite +banks, enjoy a settlement and limits of their own; yet in spirit and +inclination are attached to us: in other things resembling the +Batavians, save that as they still breathe their original air, still +possess their primitive soil, they are thence inspired with superior +vigour and keenness. Amongst the people of Germany I would not reckon +those who occupy the lands which are under decimation, though they be +such as dwell beyond the Rhine and the Danube. By several worthless +and vagabond Gauls, and such as poverty rendered daring, that region +was seized as one belonging to no certain possessor: afterwards it +became a skirt of the Empire and part of a province, upon the +enlargement of our bounds and the extending of our garrisons and +frontier. + +Beyond these are the Cattans, whose territories begin at the Hercynian +Forest, and consist not of such wide and marshy plains, as those of +the other communities contained within the vast compass of Germany; +but produce ranges of hills, such as run lofty and contiguous for a +long tract, then by degrees sink and decay. Moreover the Hercynian +Forest attends for a while its native Cattans, then suddenly forsakes +them. This people are distinguished with bodies more hardy and robust, +compact limbs, stern countenances, and greater vigour of spirit. For +Germans, they are men of much sense and address. They dignify chosen +men, listen to such as are set over them, know how to preserve their +post, to discern occasions, to rebate their own ardour and impatience; +how to employ the day, how to entrench themselves by night. They +account fortune amongst things slippery and uncertain, but bravery +amongst such as are never-failing and secure; and, what is exceeding +rare nor ever to be learnt but by a wholesome course of discipline, in +the conduct of the general they repose more assurance than in the +strength of the army. Their whole forces consist of foot, who besides +their arms carry likewise instruments of iron and their provisions. +You may see other Germans proceed equipped to battle, but the Cattans +so as to conduct a war. They rarely venture upon excursions or casual +encounters. It is in truth peculiar to cavalry, suddenly to conquer, +or suddenly to fly. Such haste and velocity rather resembles fear. +Patience and deliberation are more akin to intrepidity. + +Moreover a custom, practised indeed in other nations of Germany, yet +very rarely and confined only to particulars more daring than the +rest, prevails amongst the Cattans by universal consent. As soon as +they arrive to maturity of years, they let their hair and beards +continue to grow, nor till they have slain an enemy do they ever lay +aside this form of countenance by vow sacred to valour. Over the blood +and spoil of a foe they make bare their face. They allege, that they +have now acquitted themselves of the debt and duty contracted by their +birth, and rendered themselves worthy of their country, worthy of +their parents. Upon the spiritless, cowardly and unwarlike, such +deformity of visage still remains. All the most brave likewise wear an +iron ring (a mark of great dishonour this in that nation) and retain +it as a chain; till by killing an enemy they become released. Many of +the Cattans delight always to bear this terrible aspect; and, when +grown white through age, become awful and conspicuous by such marks, +both to the enemy and their own countrymen. By them in all engagements +the first assault is made: of them the front of the battle is always +composed, as men who in their looks are singular and tremendous. For +even during peace they abate nothing in the grimness and horror of +their countenance. They have no house to inhabit, no land to +cultivate, nor any domestic charge or care. With whomsoever they come +to sojourn, by him they are maintained; always very prodigal of the +substance of others, always despising what is their own, till the +feebleness of old age overtakes them, and renders them unequal to the +efforts of such rigid bravery. + +Next to the Cattans, dwell the Usipians and Tencterians; upon the +Rhine now running in a channel uniform and certain, such as suffices +for a boundary. The Tencterians, besides their wonted glory in war, +surpass in the service and discipline of their cavalry. Nor do the +Cattans derive higher applause from their foot, than the Tencterians +from their horse. Such was the order established by their forefathers, +and what their posterity still pursue. From riding and exercising of +horse, their children borrow their pastimes; in this exercise the +young men find matter for emulating one another, and in this the old +men take pleasure to persevere. Horses are by the father bequeathed as +part of his household and family, horses are conveyed amongst the +rights of succession, and as such the son receives them; but not the +eldest son, like other effects, by priority of birth, but he who +continues to be signal in boldness and superior in war. + +Contiguous to the Tencterians formerly dwelt the Bructerians, in whose +room it is said the Chamavians and Angrivarians are now settled; they +who expulsed and almost extirpated the Bructerians, with the +concurrence of the neighbouring nations: whether in detestation of +their arrogance, or allured by the love of spoil, or through the +special favour of the Gods towards us Romans. They in truth even +vouchsafed to gratify us with the sight of the battle. In it there +fell above sixty thousand souls, without a blow struck by the Romans; +but, what is a circumstance still more glorious, fell to furnish them +with a spectacle of joy and recreation. May the Gods continue and +perpetuate amongst these nations, if not any love for us, yet by all +means this their animosity and hate towards each other: since whilst +the destiny of the Empire thus urges it, fortune cannot more signally +befriend us, than in sowing strife amongst our foes. + +The Angrivarians and Chamavians are enclosed behind, by the +Dulgibinians and Chasuarians; and by other nations not so much noted: +before the Frisians face them. The country of Frisia is divided into +two; called the greater and lesser, according to the measure of their +strength. Both nations stretch along the Rhine, quite to the ocean; +and surround vast lakes such as once have born Roman fleets. We have +moreover even ventured out from thence into the ocean, and upon its +coasts common fame has reported the pillars of Hercules to be still +standing: whether it be that Hercules ever visited these parts, or +that to his renowned name we are wont to ascribe whatever is grand and +glorious everywhere. Neither did Drusus who made the attempt, want +boldness to pursue it: but the roughness of the ocean withstood him, +nor would suffer discoveries to be made about itself, no more than +about Hercules. Thenceforward the enterprise was dropped: nay, more +pious and reverential it seemed, to believe the marvellous feats of +the Gods than to know and to prove them. + +Hitherto, I have been describing Germany towards the west. To the +northward, it winds away with an immense compass. And first of all +occurs the nation of the Chaucians; who though they begin immediately +at the confines of the Frisians, and occupy part of the shore, extend +so far as to border upon all the several people whom I have already +recounted; till at last, by a Circuit, they reach quite to the +boundaries of the Cattans. A region so vast, the Chaucians do not only +possess but fill; a people of all the Germans the most noble, such as +would rather maintain their grandeur by justice than violence. They +live in repose, retired from broils abroad, void of avidity to possess +more, free from a spirit of domineering over others. They provoke no +wars, they ravage no countries, they pursue no plunder. Of their +bravery and power, the chief evidence arises from hence, that, without +wronging or oppressing others, they are come to be superior to all. +Yet they are all ready to arm, and if an exigency require, armies are +presently raised, powerful and abounding as they are in men and +horses; and even when they are quiet and their weapons laid aside, +their credit and name continue equally high. + +Along the side of the Chaucians and Cattans dwell the Cheruscans; a +people who finding no enemy to rouse them, were enfeebled by a peace +over lasting and uniform, but such as they failed not to nourish. A +conduct which proved more pleasing than secure; since treacherous is +that repose which you enjoy amongst neighbours that are very powerful +and very fond of rule and mastership. When recourse is once had to the +sword, modesty and fair dealing will be vainly pleaded by the weaker; +names these which are always assumed by the stronger. Thus the +Cheruscans, they who formerly bore the character of /good and +upright/, are now called /cowards and fools/; and the fortune of the +Cattans who subdued them, grew immediately to be wisdom. In the ruin +of the Cheruscans, the Fosians, also their neighbours, were involved; +and in their calamities bore an equal share, though in their +prosperity they had been weaker and less considered. + +In the same winding tract of Germany live the Cimbrians, close to the +ocean; a community now very small, but great in fame. Nay, of their +ancient renown, many and extensive are the traces and monuments still +remaining; even their entrenchments upon either shore, so vast in +compass that from thence you may even now measure the greatness and +numerous bands of that people, and assent to the account of an army so +mighty. It was on the six hundred and fortieth year of Rome, when of +the arms of the Cimbrians the first mention was made, during the +Consulship of Caecilius Metellus and Papirius Carbo. If from that time +we count to the second Consulship of the Emperor Trajan, the interval +comprehends near two hundred and ten years; so long have we been +conquering Germany. In a course of time, so vast between these two +periods, many have been the blows and disasters suffered on each side. +In truth neither from the Samnites, nor from the Carthaginians, nor +from both Spains, nor from all the nations of Gaul, have we received +more frequent checks and alarms; nor even from the Parthians: for, +more vigorous and invincible is the liberty of the Germans than the +monarchy of the Arsacides. Indeed, what has the power of the East to +allege to our dishonour; but the fall of Crassus, that power which was +itself overthrown and abased by Ventidius, with the loss of the great +King Pacorus bereft of his life? But by the Germans the Roman People +have been bereft of five armies, all commanded by Consuls; by the +Germans, the commanders of these armies, Carbo, and Cassius, and +Scaurus Aurelius, and Servilius Caepio, as also Marcus Manlius, were +all routed or taken: by the Germans even the Emperor Augustus was +bereft of Varus and three legions. Nor without difficulty and loss of +men were they defeated by Caius Marius in Italy, or by the deified +Julius in Gaul, or by Drusus or Tiberius or Germanicus in their native +territories. Soon after, the mighty menaces of Caligula against them +ended in mockery and derision. Thenceforward they continued quiet, +till taking advantage of our domestic division and civil wars, they +stormed and seized the winter entrenchments of the legions, and aimed +at the dominion of Gaul; from whence they were once more expulsed, and +in the times preceding the present, we gained a triumph over them +rather than a victory. + +I must now proceed to speak of the Suevians, who are not, like the +Cattans and Tencterians, comprehended in a single people; but divided +into several nations all bearing distinct names, though in general +they are entitled Suevians, and occupy the larger share of Germany. +This people are remarkable for a peculiar custom, that of twisting +their hair and binding it up in a knot. It is thus the Suevians are +distinguished from the other Germans, thus the free Suevians from +their slaves. In other nations, whether from alliance of blood with +the Suevians, or, as is usual from imitation, this practice is also +found, yet rarely, and never exceeds the years of youth. The Suevians, +even when their hair is white through age, continue to raise it +backwards in a manner stern and staring; and often tie it upon the top +of their head only. That of their Princes, is more accurately +disposed, and so far they study to appear agreeable and comely; but +without any culpable intention. For by it, they mean not to make love +or to incite it: they thus dress when proceeding to war, and deck +their heads so as to add to their height and terror in the eyes of the +enemy. + +Of all the Suevians, the Semnones recount themselves to be the most +ancient and most noble. The belief of their antiquity is confirmed by +religious mysteries. At a stated time of the year, all the several +people descended from the same stock, assemble by their deputies in a +wood; consecrated by the idolatries of their forefathers, and by +superstitious awe in times of old. There by publicly sacrificing a +man, they begin the horrible solemnity of their barbarous worship. To +this grove another sort of reverence is also paid. No one enters it +otherwise than bound with ligatures, thence professing his +subordination and meanness, and power of the Deity there. If he fall +down, he is not permitted to rise or be raised, but grovels along upon +the ground. And of all their superstition, this is the drift and +tendency; that from this place the nation drew their original, that +here God, the supreme Governor of the world, resides, and that all +things else whatsoever are subject to him and bound to obey him. The +potent condition of the Semnones has increased their influence and +authority, as they inhabit an hundred towns; and from the largeness of +their community it comes, that they hold themselves for the head of +the Suevians. + +What on the contrary ennobles the Langobards is the smallness of their +number, for that they, who are surrounded with very many and very +powerful nations, derive their security from no obsequiousness or +plying; but from the dint of battle and adventurous deeds. There +follow in order the Reudignians, and Aviones, and Angles, and +Varinians, and Eudoses, and Suardones and Nuithones; all defended by +rivers or forests. Nor in one of these nations does aught remarkable +occur, only that they universally join in the worship of /Herthum/; +that is to say, the Mother Earth. Her they believe to interpose in the +affairs of men, and to visit countries. In an island of the ocean +stands the wood /Castum/: in it is a chariot dedicated to the Goddess +covered over with a curtain, and permitted to be touched by none but +the Priest. Whenever the Goddess enters this her holy vehicle, he +perceives her; and with profound veneration attends the motion of the +chariot, which is always drawn by yoked cows. Then it is that days of +rejoicing always ensue, and in all places whatsoever which she +descends to honour with a visit and her company, feasts and recreation +abound. They go not to war; they touch no arms; fast laid up is every +hostile weapon; peace and repose are then only known, then only +beloved, till to the temple the same priest reconducts the Goddess +when well tired with the conversation of mortal beings. Anon the +chariot is washed and purified in a secret lake, as also the curtain; +nay, the Deity herself too, if you choose to believe it. In this +office it is slaves who minister, and they are forthwith doomed to be +swallowed up in the same lake. Hence all men are possessed with +mysterious terror; as well as with a holy ignorance what that must be, +which none see but such as are immediately to perish. Moreover this +quarter of the Suevians stretches to the middle of Germany. + +The community next adjoining, is that of the Hermondurians; (that I +may now follow the course of the Danube, as a little before I did that +of the Rhine) a people this, faithful to the Romans. So that to them +alone of all the Germans, commerce is permitted; not barely upon the +bank of the Rhine, but more extensively, and even in that glorious +colony in the province of Rhoetia. They travel everywhere at their own +discretion and without a guard; and when to other nations, we show no +more than our arms and encampments, to this people we throw open our +houses and dwellings, as to men who have no longing to possess them. +In the territories of the Hermondurians rises the Elbe, a river very +famous and formerly well known to us; at present we only hear it +named. + +Close by the Hermondurians reside the Nariscans, and next to them the +Marcomanians and Quadians. Amongst these the Marcomanians are most +signal in force and renown; nay, their habitation itself they acquired +by their bravery, as from thence they formerly expulsed the Boians. +Nor do the Nariscans or Quadians degenerate in spirit. Now this is as +it were the frontier of Germany, as far as Germany is washed by the +Danube. To the times within our memory the Marcomanians and Quadians +were governed by kings, who were natives of their own, descended from +the noble line of Maroboduus and Tudrus. At present they are even +subject to such as are foreigners. But the whole strength and sway of +their king is derived from the authority of the Romans. From our arms, +they rarely receive any aid; from our money very frequently. + +Nor less powerful are the several people beyond them; namely, the +Marsignians, the Gothinians, the Osians and the Burians, who +altogether enclose the Marcomanians and Quadians behind. Of those, the +Marsignians and the Burians in speech and dress resemble the Suevians. +From the Gallic language spoken by the Gothinians, and from that of +Pannonia by the Osians, it is manifest that neither of these people +are Germans; as it is also from their bearing to pay tribute. Upon +them as upon aliens their tribute is imposed, partly by the +Sarmatians, partly by the Quadians. The Gothinians, to heighten their +disgrace, are forced to labour in the iron mines. By all these several +nations but little level country is possessed: they are seated amongst +forests, and upon the ridges and declivities of mountains. For, Suevia +is parted by a continual ridge of mountains; beyond which, live many +distinct nations. Of these the Lygians are most numerous and +extensive, and spread into several communities. It will suffice to +mention the most puissant; even the Arians, Helvicones, Manimians; +Elysians and Naharvalians. Amongst the Naharvalians is shown a grove, +sacred to devotion extremely ancient. Over it a Priest presides +apparelled like a woman; but according to the explication of the +Romans, 'tis /Castor/ and /Pollux/ who are here worshipped. This +Divinity is named /Alcis/. There are indeed no images here, no traces +of an extraneous superstition; yet their devotion is addressed to +young men and to brothers. Now the Arians, besides their forces, in +which they surpass the several nations just recounted, are in their +persons stern and truculent; and even humour and improve their natural +grimness and ferocity by art and time. They wear black shields, their +bodies are painted black, they choose dark nights for engaging in +battle; and by the very awe and ghastly hue of their army, strike the +enemy with dread, as none can bear this their aspect so surprising and +as it were quite infernal. For, in all battles the eyes are vanquished +first. + +Beyond the Lygians dwell the Gothones, under the rule of a King; and +thence held in subjection somewhat stricter than the other German +nations, yet not so strict as to extinguish all their liberty. +Immediately adjoining are the Rugians and Lemovians upon the coast of +the ocean, and of these several nations the characteristics are a +round shield, a short sword and kingly government. Next occur the +communities of the Suiones, situated in the ocean itself; and besides +their strength in men and arms, very powerful at sea. The form of +their vessels varies thus far from ours, that they have prows at each +end, so as to be always ready to row to shore without turning nor are +they moved by sails, nor on their sides have benches of oars placed, +but the rowers ply here and there in all parts of the ship alike, as +in some rivers is done, and change their oars from place to place, +just as they shift their course hither or thither. To wealth also, +amongst them, great veneration is paid, and thence a single ruler +governs them, without all restriction of power, and exacting unlimited +obedience. Neither here, as amongst other nations of Germany, are arms +used indifferently by all, but shut up and warded under the care of a +particular keeper, who in truth too is always a slave: since from all +sudden invasions and attacks from their foes, the ocean protects them: +besides that armed bands, when they are not employed, grow easily +debauched and tumultuous. The truth is, it suits not the interest of +an arbitrary Prince, to trust the care and power of arms either with a +nobleman or with a freeman, or indeed with any man above the condition +of a slave. + +Beyond the Suiones is another sea, one very heavy and almost void of +agitation; and by it the whole globe is thought to be bounded and +environed, for that the reflection of the sun, after his setting, +continues till his rising, so bright as to darken the stars. To this, +popular opinion has added, that the tumult also of his emerging from +the sea is heard, that forms divine are then seen, as likewise the +rays about his head. Only thus far extend the limits of nature, if +what fame says be true. Upon the right of the Suevian Sea the AEstyan +nations reside, who use the same customs and attire with the Suevians; +their language more resembles that of Britain. They worship the Mother +of the Gods. As the characteristic of their national superstition, +they wear the images of wild boars. This alone serves them for arms, +this is the safeguard of all, and by this every worshipper of the +goddess is secured even amidst his foes. Rare amongst them is the use +of weapons of iron, but frequent that of clubs. In producing of grain +and the other fruits of the earth, they labour with more assiduity and +patience than is suitable to the usual laziness of Germans. Nay, they +even search the deep, and of all the rest are the only people who +gather /amber/. They call it /glasing/, and find it amongst the +shallows and upon the very shore. But, according to the ordinary +incuriosity and ignorance of Barbarians, they have neither learnt, nor +do they inquire, what is its nature, or from what cause it is +produced. In truth it lay long neglected amongst the other gross +discharges of the sea; till from our luxury, it gained a name and +value. To themselves it is of no use: they gather it rough, they +expose it in pieces coarse and unpolished, and for it receive a price +with wonder. You would however conceive it to be a liquor issuing from +trees, for that in the transparent substance are often seen birds and +other animals, such as at first stuck in the soft gum, and by it, as +it hardened, became quite enclosed. I am apt to believe that, as in +the recesses of the East are found woods and groves dropping +frankincense and balms, so in the isles and continent of the West such +gums are extracted by the force and proximity of the sun; at first +liquid and flowing into the next sea, then thrown by the winds and +waves upon the opposite shore. If you try the nature of amber by the +application of fire, it kindles like a torch; and feeds a thick and +unctuous flame very high scented, and presently becomes glutinous like +pitch or rosin. + +Upon the Suiones, border the people Sitones; and, agreeing with them +in all other things, differ from them in one, that here the +sovereignty is exercised by a woman. So notoriously do they degenerate +not only from a state of liberty, but even below a state of bondage. +Here end the territories of the Suevians. + +Whether amongst the Sarmatians or the Germans I ought to account the +Peucinians, the Venedians, and the Fennians, is what I cannot +determine; though the Peucinians, whom some call Basstarnians, speak +the same language with the Germans, use the same attire, build like +them, and live like them, in that dirtiness and sloth so common to +all. Somewhat they are corrupted into the fashion of the Sarmatians by +the inter-marriages of the principal sort with that nation: from +whence the Venedians have derived very many of their customs and a +great resemblance. For they are continually traversing and infesting +with robberies all the forests and mountains lying between the +Peucinians and Fennians. Yet they are rather reckoned amongst the +Germans, for that they have fixed houses, and carry shields, and +prefer travelling on foot, and excel in swiftness. Usages these, all +widely differing from those of the Sarmatians, who live on horseback +and dwell in waggons. In wonderful savageness live the nation of the +Fennians, and in beastly poverty, destitute of arms, of horses, and of +homes; their food, the common herbs; their apparel, skins; their bed, +the earth; their only hope in their arrows, which for want of iron +they point with bones. Their common support they have from the chase, +women as well as men; for with these the former wander up and down, +and crave a portion of the prey. Nor other shelter have they even for +their babes, against the violence of tempests and ravening beasts, +than to cover them with the branches of trees twisted together; this a +reception for the old men, and hither resort the young. Such a +condition they judge more happy than the painful occupation of +cultivating the ground, than the labour of rearing houses, than the +agitations of hope and fear attending the defence of their own +property or the seizing that of others. Secure against the designs of +men, secure against the malignity of the Gods, they have accomplished +a thing of infinite difficulty; that to them nothing remains even to +be wished. + +What further accounts we have are fabulous: as that the Hellusians and +Oxiones have the countenances and aspect of men, with the bodies and +limbs of savage beasts. This, as a thing about which I have no certain +information, I shall leave untouched. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg Etext Tacitus on Germany, Translated by Gordon + diff --git a/old/tctgr10.zip b/old/tctgr10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0fc9ada --- /dev/null +++ b/old/tctgr10.zip |