Germania : English-Latin edition

1. The whole of Germany is thus bounded

2. The Germans, I am apt to believe, derive their original from no other people;

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Their lands, however somewhat different in aspect, yet taken all together consist of gloomy forests or nasty marshes;

6. Neither in truth do they abound in iron, as from the fashion of their weapons may be gathered.

7. In the choice of kings they are determined by the splendour of their race, in that of generals by their bravery.

8. In history we find, that some armies already yielding and ready to fly, have been by the women restored, through their inflexible importunity and entreaties, presenting their breasts, and showing their impending captivity;

9. Of all the Gods, Mercury is he whom they worship most.

10. To the use of lots and auguries, they are addicted beyond all other nations.

11. Affairs of smaller moment the chiefs determine: about matters of higher consequence the whole nation deliberates;

12. In the assembly it is allowed to present accusations, and to prosecute capital offences.

13. Without being armed they transact nothing, whether of public or private concernment.

14. 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.

15. Upon any recess from war, they do not much attend the chase.

16. 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.

17. For their covering a mantle is what they all wear, fastened with a clasp or, for want of it, with a thorn.

18. To the husband, the wife tenders no dowry; but the husband, to the wife.

19. They therefore live in a state of chastity well secured;

20. In all their houses the children are reared naked and nasty;

21. All the enmities of your house, whether of your father or of your kindred, you must necessarily adopt; as well as all their friendships.

22. The moment they rise from sleep, which they generally prolong till late in the day, they bathe, most frequently in warm water;

23. For their drink, they draw a liquor from barley or other grain; and ferment the same, so as to make it resemble wine.

24. Of public diversions they have but one sort, and in all their meetings the same is still exhibited.

25. Slaves of this class, they exchange away in commerce, to free themselves too from the shame of such a victory.

26. To the practice of usury and of increasing money by interest, they are strangers;

27. In performing their funerals, they show no state or vainglory.

28. That the Gauls were in times past more puissant and formidable, is related by the Prince of authors, the deified Julius;

29. Of all these nations, the Batavians are the most signal in bravery.

30. 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;

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. Contiguous to the Tencterians formerly dwelt the Bructerians, in whose room it is said the Chamavians and Angrivarians are now settled;

34. The Angrivarians and Chamavians are enclosed behind, by the Dulgibinians and Chasuarians;

35. Hitherto, I have been describing Germany towards the west. To the northward, it winds away with an immense compass.

36. Along the side of the Chaucians and Cattans dwell the Cheruscans;

37. In the same winding tract of Germany live the Cimbrians, close to the ocean; a community now very small, but great in fame.

38. I must now proceed to speak of the Suevians, who are not, like the Cattans and Tencterians, comprehended in a single people;

39. Of all the Suevians, the Semnones recount themselves to be the most ancient and most noble.

40. 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.

41. The community next adjoining, is that of the Hermondurians;

42. 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;

43. Nor less powerful are the several people beyond them;

44. 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.

45. Beyond the Suiones is another sea, one very heavy and almost void of agitation;

46. Upon the Suiones, border the people Sitones;

47. 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.

48. 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.