Tacitus on Germany, Translated | Page 6

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: