XXXI.
Et aliis Germanorum populis usurpatum raro et privata cujusque audentia apud Chattos in consensum vertit, ut primum adoleverint, crinem barbamque submittere, nec, nisi hoste caeso, exuere votivum obligatumque virtuti oris habitum. Super sanguinem et spolia revelant frontem, seque tum demum pretia nascendi retulisse, dignosque patria ac parentibus ferunt. Ignavis et imbellibus manet squalor. Fortissimus quisque ferreum insuper annulum (ignominiosum id genti) velut vinculum gestat, donec se caede hostis absolvat. Plurimis Chattorum hic placet habitus. Jamque canent insignes, et hostibus simul suisque monstrati. Omnium penes hos initia pugnarum: haec prima semper acies, visu nova; nam ne in pace quidem vultu mitiore mansuescunt. Nulli domus aut ager aut aliqua cura: prout ad quemque venere, aluntur: prodigi alieni, contemptores sui donec exsanguis senectus tam durae virtuti impares faciat.
31.
A usage rarely adopted by other tribes and observed only by some high-spirited Germans, gained wide acceptance among the Chatti. As soon as they attain to man’s estate, they let their hair and beard grow unchecked and do not divest themselves of these symbols of their commitment to valor until after they have slain an enemy. Over the bloody spoils of the foe they uncover their face and announce to have just then paid the debt they owe for their life and to be worthy of their country and parents. The cowards and the weaklings retain their shaggy appearance. In addition, the most daring amongst the Chatti wear an iron ring (something very disgraceful to these people), as if it were a chain, until they free themselves by killing an enemy. Most of the men in the tribe approve of the custom, and still wear this distinctive sign in their old age, attracting the attention of friends and foes alike. To these men is given the task to begin every battle: the are always the first line of attack – an unusual sight indeed, for not even in peace do they relax their forbidding countenance. None of them concerns himself with home, property, or business: they are fed by whomsoever they visit, being prodigal with other people’s wealth as they are neglectful of their own. So, they live until the infirmity of old age renders them unequal to such heroic sterness.
XXXII.
Proximi Chattis certum jam alveo Rhenum, quique terminus esse sufficiat, Usipii ac Tencteri colunt. Tencteri, super solitum bellorum decus, equestris disciplinae arte praecellunt: nec major apud Chattos peditum laus, quam Tencteris equitum. Sic instituere majores, posteri imitantur; hi lusus infantium, haec juvenum aemulatio, perseverant sense: inter familiam et penates et jura successionum equi traduntur; excipit filius, non, ut cetera, maximus natu, sed prout ferox bello et melior.
32.
The Usipii and the Tencteri, the neighbors of the Chatti, inhabit the bank of the Rhine, which at this point has a more reliable bed and provides an adequate natural boundary. The Tencteri, over and above the warlike fame of all German nations, are without equals in their mastery of horsemanship. The Chatti are not more renowned for their infantry than the Tencteri for their cavalry. Their forefathers established the fame, and posterity follows in their footsteps. Children make horsemanship their game, young men turn it into a spur to emulation, and old men still practice it at their age. Horses are assets handed down along with household servants, the home stead, and all that is passed on according to the rights of inheritance. Yet they do not necessarily go to the first born, like the rest of the assets, but to the son who is both bellicose and more deserving.
XXXIII
Juxta Tencteros Bructeri olim occurrebant: nunc Chamavos et Angrivarios immigrasse narratur, pulsis Bructeris ac penitus excisis vicinarum consensu nationum, seu superbiae odio, seu praedae dulcedine, seu favore quodam erga nos deorum: nam ne spectaculo quidem proelii invidere: super sexaginta millia, non armis telisque Romanis, sed, quod magnificentius est, oblectationi oculisque ceciderunt. Maneat, quaeso, duretque gentibus, si non amor nostri, at certe odium sui: quando, urgentibus imperii fatis, nihil jam praestare fortuna majus potest, quam hostium discordiam.
33.
In former times the Bructeri were to be found close to the Tencteri, but now there are reports that the Angrivarii and the Chamavi have settled in their place, after the Bructeri were driven off and almost exterminated. This was done by the combined action of neighboring tribes, either from hatred of the Bructeri’s arrogance, or the appeal of plunder, or through some particular favor of the gods towards us, since we were even given the pleasure of witnessing a bloody battle in which over sixty thousand Germans perished, not under the blows of Roman arms, but – what is more remarkable – as if to delight our eyes. I fervently pray that the Germans may always nurse, if not love of us, at any rate ill will among themselves, given that the fate of the empire hurries on relentless and Fortune can now grant us nothing better than discord among our enemies.
XXXIV.
Angrivarios et Chamavos a tergo Dulgibini et Chasuarii cludunt aliaeque gentes, haud perinde memoratae. A fronte Frisii excipiunt. Majoribus minoribusque Frisiis vocabulum est ex modo virium: utraeque nationes usque ad Oceanum Rheno praetexuntur, ambiuntque immensos insuper lacus et Romanis classibus navigatos. Ipsum quin etiam Oceanum illa tentavimus: et superesse adhuc Herculis columnas fama vulgavit; sive adiit Hercules, seu, quicquid ubique magnificum est, in claritatem ejus referre consensimus. Nec defuit audentia Druso Germanico: sed obstitit Oceanus in se simul atque in Herculem inquiri. Mox nemo tentavit; sanctiusque ac reverentius visum, de actis deorum credere, quam scire.
34.
The Angribarii and the Chamavi are hemmed in from the rear by the Dulgibini and Chasuarii and by less famous tribes as well. The Frisii, called Greater and Lesser Frisii depending on their strength, close them in front. The territory of the Frisii extends along the Rhine as far as the sea and also encircles lakes of immense size over whose waters Roman fleets have sailed: not only that, but we also have ventured into the Ocean itself in that neighborhood, and rumor had it that pillars of Hercules are extant there to this day. It may be that Hercules really was in these parts or that we have all agreed to accredit his famous name with every wonder to be found anywhere in the world. Drusus Germanicus did not lack courage, but the Ocean resisted having knowledge of itself — and of Hercules at the same time — spread abroad. No subsequent attempts have been made by anyone: it seemed more pious and respectful to put faith in the doings of the gods than to go and find out in person.
XXXV.
Hactenus in Occidentem Germaniam novimus. In Septentrionem ingenti flexu redit. Ac primo statim Chaucorum gens, quanquam incipiat a Frisiis ac partem littoris occupet, omnium, quas exposui, gentium lateribus obtenditur, donec in Chattos usque sinuetur. Tam immensum terrarum spatium non tenent tantum Chauci, sed et implent: populus inter Germanos nobilissimus, quique magnitudinem suam malit justitia tueri: sine cupiditate, sine impotentia, quieti secretique, nulla provocant bella, nullis raptibus aut latrociniis populantur. Id praecipuum virtutis ac virium argumentum est, quod, ut superiores agant, non per injurias assequuntur. Prompta tamen omnibus arma, ac, si res poscat, exercitus, plurimum virorum equorumque: et quiescentibus eadem fama.
35.
Up to this point we have looked at the western part of Germany. Towards the north the country falls back to the ocean with a giant peninsula and the first tribe going north is that of the Chauci, whose territory, though bordering on the Frisii and taking up part of the coast, extends up to the boundaries of all the tribes I have mentioned thus far, until it bends as far south as the Chatti. The Chauci, the most noble nation among the Germans, not only occupy this immense territory, but densely populate it as well. They opt to make justice the pillar of their greatness; without cupidity, without arrogance they lead a retired and quiet life. They provoke no wars, they do not ravage other people’s lands by engaging in plundering raids and brigandage. The main proof of their virtue and their strength is that they feel no need to resort to violence to establish pre-eminence. Yet, all have their arms ready at hand and, if need be, armies. Great numbers of men and horses are available to them, and though they are at peace, their reputation for bravery is undiminished.
XXXVI.
In latere Chaucorum Chattorumque Cherusci nimiam ac marcentem diu pacem illacessiti nutrierunt; idque jucundius, quam tutius, fuit: quia inter impotentes et validos falso quiescas; ubi manu agitur, modestia ac probitas nomina superioris sunt. Ita, qui olim boni aequique Cherusci, nunc inertes ac stulti vocantur: Chattis victoribus fortuna in sapientiam cessit. Tracti ruina Cheruscorum et Fosi, contermina gens, adversarum rerum ex aequo socii, cum in secundis minores fuissent.
36.
On the flank of the Chauci and the Chatti are the Cherusci. For a long time, they cultivated unmolested an immoderate and debilitating love of peace, a situation more pleasant than prudent, for amid ruthless, burly neighbors it is a great mistake to sleep. When strong action is called for, respect for decency and fair play are titles reserved for the winner only. So, the Cherusci, once renowned for goodness and justice, are today taken for weaklings and fools. On the other hand, the good fortune of the Chatti, who beat them, now goes for wisdom. Caught up in the fall of the Cherusci, the neighboring Fosi, their equal partners in adversity, were also ruined, even though they had been only minor beneficiaries of their allies’ affluence during good times.
XXXVII.
Eundem Germaniae sinum proximi Oceano Cimbri tenent, parva nunc civitas, sed gloria ingens; veterisque famae lata vestigia manent, utraque ripa castra ac spatia, quorum ambitu nunc quoque metiaris molem manusque gentis et tam magni exitus fidem. Sexcentesimum et quadragesimum annum urbs nostra agebat, cum primum Cimbrorum audita sunt arma, Caecilio Metello et Papirio Carbone consulibus. Ex quo si ad alterum Imperatoris Trajani consulatum computemus, ducenti ferme et decem anni colliguntur; tamdiu Germania vincitur. Medio tam longi aevi spatio, multa invicem damna: non Samnis, non Poeni, non Hispaniae Galliaeve, ne Parthi quidem saepius admonuere: quippe regno Arsacis acrior est Germanorum libertas. Quid enim aliud nobis, quam caedem Crassi, amisso et ipse Pacoro, infra Ventidium dejectus Oriens objecerit? At Germani, Carbone et Cassio et Scauro Aurelio et Servilio Caepione, M. quoque Manlio fusis vel captis, quinque simul consulares exercitus Populo Romano, Varum, tresque cum eo legiones, etiam Caesari abstulerunt: nec impune C. Marius in Italia, divus Julius in Gallia, Drusus ac Nero et Germanicus in suis eos sedibus perculerunt. Mox ingentes C. Caesaris minae in ludibrium versae. Inde otium, donec occasione discordiae nostrae et civilium armorum, expugnatis legionum hibernis, etiam Gallias affectavere: ac rursus pulsi, inde proximis temporibus triumphati magis quam victi sunt.
37.
The [northwestern] peninsula is occupied also by the Cimbri, who live near the ocean. Their state is now small, but their past glory immense. Scattered vestiges of their bygone greatness remain: on either bank of the Rhine are vast encampments whose size even now gives an idea of the military might of the tribe and provides evidence of their gigantic emigration. Rome was in the six hundred and fortieth year of her foundation, under the consulate of Caecilius Metellus and Papirius Carbo, when the first rumors of the Cimbric menace were heard. From there, if we calculate the time until Trajan’s second consulate, we find that roughly two hundred and ten years have passed. So many years is Germany resisting us, so much mutual destruction in such a large swath of time! Not the Samnites nor the Carthaginians, not Spain nor Gaul, not even the Parthians have so often taught us such hard lessons. The fact is that the Germans defend their freedom more doggedly even than Arsaces his kingdom. Indeed, apart from the massacre of Crassus, what other defeats could the Orient — which has lost Pacorus and was trampled underfoot by a Ventidius — fling in our faces? But the Germans in defeating or capturing Carbo, Cassius, Scaurus Aurelius, Servilius Caepius, and Marcus Manlius, robbed the Roman people of five consular armies one after the other and emperor Augustus himself of Varus and three entire legions. Not without great damage to us were they repulsed by Gaius Marius in Italy, by the divine Julius in Gaul, and by Drusus, Tiberius, and Germanicus in Germany itself. Later the ferocious threats of Caligula ended in farce, then a period of calm set in until, profiting of our intestine strife and civil wars, the Germans stormed the winter quarters of the legions and even tried to possess themselves of Gaul. Driven back again, they have in recent years given us occasions for triumphal celebrations more than for real victories.
XXXVIII.
Nunc de Suevis dicendum est, quorum non una, ut Chattorum Tencterorumve, gens: majorem enim Germaniae partem obtinent, propriis adhuc nationibus nominibusque discreti, quanquam in commune Suevi vocentur. Insigne gentis obliquare crinem nodoque substringere: sic Suevi a ceteris Germanis, sic Suevorum ingenui a servis separantur. in aliis gentibus, seu cognatione aliqua Suevorum, seu quod saepe accidit, imitatione, rarum et intra juventae spatium; apud Suevos, usque ad canitiem, horrentem capillum retro sequuntur, ac saepe in ipso solo vertice religant. Principes et ornatiorem habent: ea cura formae, sed innoxiae: neque enim ut ament amenturve; in altitudinem quandam et terrorem, adituri bella, compti, ut hostium oculis, ornantur.
38.
The moment has come to speak of the Suevi, who, unlike the Chatti and the Tencteri, are not a unified people. Still in separate tribes, they inhabit the greater part of Germany with different names, although in general they are all referred to as Suevi. It is a distinctive trait of theirs to slant their hair back on either side and fix it in place with a knot. In this way the Suevi can be told apart from other Germans and, within the tribe, the freeborn from the slaves. Among other nations [this fashion is adopted ] either in consequence of family relations with the Suevi or, and this is mostly the case, from imitation, [but] rarely and only when young. The Suevi themselves, even in old age, continue to have their tangled hair bent back and often tie it right on top of the head. The chiefs have an even more ornate hair style: such concern for appearance, however, is above blame, having nothing to do with love play. They spruce themselves up in this fashion as if for the eyes of the enemy, to gain some height and strike terror, when about to go — well-groomed — into battle.
XXXIX.
Vetustissimos se nobilissimosque Suevorum Semnones memorant. Fides antiquitatis religione firmatur. Stato tempore in silvam auguriis patrum et prisca formidine sacram, omnes ejusdem sanguinis populi legationibus coeunt, caesoque publice homine celebrant barbari ritus horrenda primordia. Est et alia luco reverentia. Nemo nisi vinculo ligatus ingreditur, ut minor et potestatem numinis prae se ferens, Si forte prolapsus est, attolli et insurgere haud licitum: per humum evolvuntur: eoque omnis superstitio respicit, tanquam inde initia gentis, ibi regnator omnium deus, cetera subjecta atque parentia. Adjicit auctoritatem fortuna Semnonum: centum pagis habitantur; magnoque corpore efficitur, ut se Suevorum caput credant.
39.
The Semnones remind us that they go the farthest back in time and are the most celebrated among the Suevian tribes. Proof of their antiquity is rooted in religion. At a fixed period the representatives of all the peoples of the same blood convene in a forest made sacred by the auguries of their ancient fathers and by a primeval awe akin to fear. After the sacrifice of a human victim, they commemorate the terrifying beginnings of their savage rites. There is another form reverence for this sacred grove may take: no man can enter unless he is bound by chains, both as an admission of his own inferiority and a testimony of the deity’s powers. If by chance he stumbles, he is not allowed to be helped back to his feet or to rise himself, but must roll on the ground. The whole body of superstition has reference to this, the presumption, one might say, that they came as a people from this grove, where the deity resides, the master of all things, and that all else is subjected to or dependent on him. The success of the Semnones adds weight to this belief: they are spread over a hundred districts and from their huge numbers derives the assurance of their primacy among the Suevi.
XL.
Contra Langobardos paucitas nobilitat: plurimis ac valentissimis nationibus cincti, non per obsequium, sed proeliis et periclitando tuti sunt. Reudigni deinde et Aviones et Anglii et Varini et Eudoses et Suardones et Nuithones fluminibus aut silvis muniuntur: nec quidquam notabile in singulis, nisi quod in commune Nerthum, id est Terram matrem colunt, eamque intervenire rebus hominum, invehi populis arbitrantur. Est in insula Oceani castum nemus, dicatumque in eo vehiculum, veste contectum attingere uni sacerdoti concessum. Is adesse penetrali deam intelligit, vectamque bubus feminis multa cum veneratione prosequitur. Laeti tunc dies, festa loca, quaecumque adventu hospitioque dignatur. Non bella ineunt, non arma sumunt; clausum omne ferrum: pax et quies tunc tantum nota, tunc tantum amata, donec idem sacerdos satiatam conversatione mortalium deam templo reddat. Mox vehiculum et vestes, et, si credere velis, numen ipsum secreto lacu abluitur. Servi ministrant, quos statim idem lacus haurit; arcanus hinc terror sanctaque ignorantia, quid sit illud, quod tantum perituri vident.
40.
Unlike the Semnones, the Longobardi feel ennobled by their fewness: hemmed in on all sides by very many and most potent nations, they keep safe not by subservience, but by fighting and facing dangers. After them, the Reudingi, the Aviones, the Anglii, the Varini, the Eudoses, the Suardones, and the Nuithones, all protected by rivers or forests. There is nothing special to report about each of them, except that they have Nerthum in common, that is, they worship Mother Earth and believe that she intervenes in human affairs and rides in procession among the peoples of the world. In one island of the ocean there is a holy grove and in it a carriage veiled with a robe and dedicated to the deity. One priest only is allowed to touch the vehicle: he can sense the presence of the goddess inside the hallowed conveyance and with the most pious deference he accompanies her as she rides away drawn by heifers. Joyous days then follow and whichever places she condescends to honor with her coming as a guest, put on a festive air. No war is made, no arms are used, all weapons are stored under lock: peace and quiet only are then known and only then loved, until the same priest escorts the goddess back to the sacred grove, satisfied with her mingling with humankind. Sometime later the carriage, the vestments, and — believe it or not — the deity herself, are purified in a secret lake. Slaves perform the rite and are instantly engulfed by the waters, hence that uncanny horror and awed ignorance of what these ministrants are privileged to see on the very brink of death.