The Germany and the Agricola of Tacitus
since, while the fate of the empire is thus urgent, [179] fortune can
bestow no higher benefit upon us, than the discord of our enemies.
34. Contiguous to the Angrivarii and Chamavi backwards lie the
Dulgibini, Chasauri, [180] and other nations less known. [181] In front,
the Frisii [182] succeed; who are distinguished by the appellations of
Greater and Lesser, from their proportional power. The settlements of
both stretch along the border of the Rhine to the ocean; and include,
besides, vast lakes, [183] which have been navigated by Roman fleets. We
have even explored the ocean itself on that side; and fame reports that
columns of Hercules [184] are still remaining on that coast; whether it
be that Hercules was ever there in reality, or that whatever great and
magnificent is anywhere met with is, by common consent, ascribed to
his renowned name. The attempt of Drusus Germanicus [185] to make
discoveries in these parts was sufficiently daring; but the ocean
opposed any further inquiry into itself and Hercules. After a while no
one renewed the attempt; and it was thought more pious and reverential
to believe the actions of the gods, than to investigate them.
35. Hitherto we have traced the western side of Germany. It turns from
thence with a vast sweep to the north: and first occurs the country of
the Chauci, [186] which, though it begins immediately from Frisia, and
occupies part of the seashore, yet stretches so far as to border on
all the nations before mentioned, till it winds round so as to meet the
territories of the Catti. This immense tract is not only possessed, but
filled by the Chauci; a people the noblest of the Germans, who choose
to maintain their greatness by justice rather than violence. Without
ambition, without ungoverned desires, quiet and retired, they provoke
no wars, they are guilty of no rapine or plunder; and it is a principal
proof of their power and bravery, that the superiority they possess has
not been acquired by unjust means. Yet all have arms in readiness; [187]
and, if necessary, an army is soon raised: for they abound in men and
horses, and maintain their military reputation even in inaction.
36. Bordering on the Chauci and Catti are the Cherusci; [188] who, for
want of an enemy, long cherished a too lasting and enfeebling peace:
a state more flattering than secure; since the repose enjoyed amidst
ambitious and powerful neighbors is treacherous; and when an appeal is
made to the sword, moderation and probity are names appropriated by the
victors. Thus, the Cherusci, who formerly bore the titles of just and
upright, are now charged with cowardice and folly; and the good fortune
of the Catti, who subdued them, has grown into wisdom. The ruin of the
Cherusci involved that of the Fosi, [189] a neighboring tribe, equal
partakers of their adversity, although they had enjoyed an inferior
share of their prosperity.
37. In the same quarter of Germany, adjacent to the ocean, dwell the
Cimbri; [191] a small [192] state at present, but great in renown. [193]
Of their past grandeur extensive vestiges still remain, in encampments
and lines on either shore, [194] from the compass of which the strength
and numbers of the nation may still be computed, and credit derived to
the account of so prodigious an army. It was in the 640th year of Rome
that the arms of the Cimbri were first heard of, under the consulate
of Caecilius Metellus and Papirius Carbo; from which era to the second
consulate of the emperor Trajan [195] is a period of nearly 210 years.
So long has Germany withstood the arms of Rome. During this long
interval many mutual wounds have been inflicted. Not the Samnite, the
Carthaginian, Spain, Gaul, or Parthia, have given more frequent alarms;
for the liberty of the Germans is more vigorous than the monarchy of
the Arsacidae. What has the East, which has itself lost Pacorus, and
suffered an overthrow from Ventidius, [196] to boast against us, but
the slaughter of Crassus? But the Germans, by the defeat or capture of
Carbo, [197] Cassius, [198] Scaurus Aurelius, [199] Servilius Caepio,
and Cneius Manlius, [200] deprived the Roman people of five consular
armies; [201] and afterwards took from Augustus himself Varus with three
legions. [202] Nor did Caius Marius [203] in Italy, the deified Julius
[204] in Gaul, or Drusus, [204] Nero, [204] or Germanicus [204] in their
own country, defeat then without loss. The subsequent mighty threats
of Caligula terminated in ridicule. Then succeeded tranquillity; till,
seizing the occasion of our discords and civil wars, they forced the
winter-quarters of the legions, [205] and even aimed at the possession
of Gaul; and, again expelled thence, they have in latter times been
rather triumphed over [206] than vanquished.
38. We have now to speak of the Suevi; [207] who do not compose a single
state, like the Catti or Tencteri, but occupy the greatest part of
Germany, and are still distributed into different names and nations,
although all hearing the common appellation of Suevi. It is a
characteristic of this people to turn their hair sideways, and tie it
beneath the poll in a knot. By this mark the Suevi are distinguished
from the rest of the Germans; and the freemen of the Suevi from the
slaves. [208] Among other nations, this mode, either on account of some
relationship with the Suevi, or from the usual propensity to imitation,
is sometimes adopted; but rarely, and only during the period of youth.
The Suevi, even till they are hoary, continue to have their hair growing
stiffly backwards, and often it is fastened on the very crown of the
head. The chiefs dress it with still greater care: and in this respect
they study ornament, though of an undebasing kind. For their design is
not to make love, or inspire it; they decorate themselves in this manner
as they proceed to war, in order to seem taller and more terrible; and
dress for the eyes of their enemies.
39. The Semnones [209] assert themselves to be the most ancient and
noble of the Suevi; and their pretensions are confirmed by religion.
At a stated time, all the people of the same lineage assemble by their
delegates in a wood, consecrated by the auguries of their forefathers
and ancient terror, and there by the public slaughter of a human victim
celebrate the horrid origin of their barbarous rites. Another kind of
reverence is paid to the grove. No person enters it without being bound
with a chain, as an acknowledgment of his inferior nature, and the power
of the deity residing there. If he accidentally fall, it is not lawful
for him to be lifted or to rise up; they roll themselves out along the
ground. The whole of their superstition has this import: that from this
spot the nation derives its origin; that here is the residence of the
Deity, the Governor of all, and that everything else is subject and
subordinate to him. These opinions receive additional authority from
the power of the Semnones, who inhabit a hundred cantons, and, from the
great body they compose, consider themselves as the head of the Suevi.
40. The Langobardi, [210] on the other hand, are ennobled by, the
smallness of their numbers; since though surrounded by many powerful
nations, they derive security, not from obsequiousness, but from their
martial enterprise. The neighboring Reudigni, [211] and the Avions,
[212] Angli, [213] Varini, Eudoses, Suardones, and Nuithones, [214]
are defended by rivers or forests. Nothing remarkable occurs in any of
these; except that they unite in the worship of Hertha, [215] or Mother
Earth; and suppose her to interfere in the affairs of men, and to visit
the different nations. In an island [216] of the ocean stands a sacred
and unviolated grove, in which is a consecrated chariot, covered with a
veil, which the priest alone is permitted to touch. He becomes conscious
of the entrance of the goddess into this secret recess; and with
profound veneration attends the vehicle, which is drawn by yoked cows.
At this season, [217] all is joy; and every place which the goddess
deigns to visit is a scene of festivity. No wars are undertaken; arms
are untouched; and every hostile weapon is shut up. Peace abroad and
at home are then only known; then only loved; till at length the same
priest reconducts the goddess, satiated with mortal intercourse, to her
temple. [218] The chariot, with its curtain, and, if we may believe it,
the goddess herself, then undergo ablution in a secret lake. This office
is performed by slaves, whom the same lake instantly swallows up. Hence
proceeds a mysterious horror; and a holy ignorance of what that can be,
which is beheld only by those who are about to perish. This part of the
Suevian nation extends to the most remote recesses of Germany.
41. If we now follow the course of the Danube, as we before did that of
the Rhine, we first meet with the Hermunduri; [219] a people faithful to
the Romans, [220] and on that account the only Germans who are admitted
to commerce, not on the bank alone, but within our territories, and in
the flourishing colony [221] established in the province of Rhaetia.
They pass and repass at pleasure, without being attended by a guard; and
while we exhibit to other nations our arms and camps alone, to these
we lay open our houses and country seats, which they behold without
coveting. In the country of the Hermunduri rises the Elbe; [222] a river
formerly celebrated and known among us, now only heard of by name.
42. Contiguous to the Hermunduri are the Narisci; [223] and next to
them, the Marcomanni [224] and Quadi. [225] Of these, the Marcomanni are
the most powerful and renowned; and have even acquired the country which
they inhabit, by their valor in expelling the Boii. [226] Nor are the
Narisci and Quadi inferior in bravery; [227] and this is, as it were,
the van of Germany as far as it is bordered by the Danube. Within our
memory the Marcomanni and Quadi were governed by kings of their own
nation, of the noble line of Maroboduus [228] and Tudrus. They now
submit even to foreigners; but all the power of their kings depends upon
the authority of the Romans. [229] We seldom assist them with our arms,
but frequently with our money; nor are they the less potent on that
account.
43. Behind these are the Marsigni, [230] Gothini, [231] Osi, [232] and
Burrii, [233] who close the rear of the Marcomanni and Quadi. Of these,
the Marsigni and Burrii in language [234] and dress resemble the Suevi.
The Gothini and Osi prove themselves not to be Germans; the first, by
their use of the Gallic, the second, of the Pannonian tongue; and both,
by their submitting to pay tribute: which is levied on them, as aliens,
partly by the Sarmatians, partly by the Quadi. The Gothini, to their
additional disgrace, work iron mines. [235] All these people inhabit but
a small proportion of champaign country; their settlements are chiefly
amongst forests, and on the sides and summits of mountains; for a
continued ridge of mountains [236] separates Suevia from various remoter
tribes. Of these, the Lygian [237] is the most extensive, and diffuses
its name through several communities. It will be sufficient to name
the most powerful of them--the Arii, Helvecones, Manimi, Elysii, and
Naharvali. [238] In the country of the latter is a grove, consecrated to
religious rites of great antiquity. A priest presides over them, dressed
in woman's apparel; but the gods worshipped there are said, according to
the Roman interpretation, to be Castor and Pollux. Their attributes are
the same; their name, Alcis. [239] No images, indeed, or vestiges of
foreign superstition, appear in their worship; but they are revered
under the character of young men and brothers. The Arii, fierce beyond
the superiority of strength they possess over the other just enumerated