The Origin and Deeds of the Goths | Page 2

and a conclusion, and have inserted many
things of my own authorship. Wherefore reproach me not, but receive
and read with gladness what you have asked me to write. If aught be
insufficiently spoken and you remember it, do you as a neighbor to our
race add to it, praying for me, dearest brother. The Lord be with you.
Amen.
(Geographical Introduction)
[Sidenote: Ocean and Its Lesser Isles.]
I Our ancestors, as Orosius relates, were of the 4 opinion that the circle
of the whole world was surrounded by the girdle of Ocean on three
sides. Its three parts they called Asia, Europe and Africa. Concerning
this threefold division of the earth's extent there are almost innumerable
writers, who not only explain the situations of cities and places, but
also measure out the number of miles and paces to give more clearness.
Moreover they locate the islands interspersed amid the waves, both the
greater and also the lesser islands, called Cyclades or Sporades, as
situated in the vast flood of the Great Sea. But the impassable farther

bounds of Ocean not only has 5 no one attempted to describe, but no
man has been allowed to reach; for by reason of obstructing seaweed
and the failing of the winds it is plainly inaccessible and is unknown to
any save to Him who made it. But the 6 nearer border of this sea, which
we call the circle of the world, surrounds its coasts like a wreath. This
has become clearly known to men of inquiring mind, even to such as
desired to write about it. For not only is the coast itself inhabited, but
certain islands off in the sea are habitable. Thus there are to the East in
the Indian Ocean, Hippodes, Iamnesia, Solis Perusta (which though not
habitable, is yet of great length and breadth), besides Taprobane, a fair
island wherein there are towns or estates and ten strongly fortified cities.
But there is yet 7 another, the lovely Silefantina, and Theros also.
These, though not clearly described by any writer, are nevertheless well
filled with inhabitants. This same Ocean has in its western region
certain islands known to almost everyone by reason of the great number
of those that journey to and fro. And there are two not far from the
neighborhood of the Strait of Gades, one the Blessed Isle and another
called the Fortunate. Although some reckon as islands of Ocean the
twin promontories of Galicia and Lusitania, where are still to be seen
the Temple of Hercules on one and Scipio's Monument on the other,
yet since they are joined to the extremity of the Galician country, they
belong rather to the great land of Europe than to the islands of Ocean.
However, it 8 has other islands deeper within its own tides, which are
called the Baleares; and yet another, Mevania, besides the Orcades,
thirty-three in number, though not all inhabited. And at the farthest
bound of its western expanse 9 it has another island named Thule, of
which the Mantuan bard makes mention:
"And Farthest Thule shall serve thee."
The same mighty sea has also in its arctic region, that is in the north, a
great island named Scandza, from which my tale (by God's grace) shall
take its beginning. For the race whose origin you ask to know burst
forth like a swarm of bees from the midst of this island and came into
the land of Europe. But how or in what wise we shall explain hereafter,
if it be the Lord's will.

(BRITAIN)
[Sidenote: Caesar's two invasions of Britain B.C. 55-54]
II But now let me speak briefly as I can concerning 10 the island of
Britain, which is situated in the bosom of Ocean between Spain, Gaul
and Germany. Although Livy tells us that no one in former days sailed
around it, because of its great size, yet many writers have held various
opinions of it. It was long unapproached by Roman arms, until Julius
Caesar disclosed it by battles fought for mere glory. In the busy age
which followed it became accessible to many through trade and by
other means. Thus it revealed more clearly its position, which I shall
here explain as I have found it in Greek and Latin authors. Most of
them say it is like a triangle pointing 11 between the north and west. Its
widest angle faces the mouths of the Rhine. Then the island shrinks in
breadth and recedes until it ends in two other angles. Its long doubled
side faces Gaul and Germany. Its greatest breadth is said to be over two
thousand three hundred and ten stadia, and its length not more than
seven thousand one hundred and thirty-two stadia. In some parts 12 it is
moorland, in others there are