Tacitus on Germany, Translated | Page 5

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