The Germany and the Agricola of TacitusTacitus, Cornelius
History
The Germany and the Agricola of Tacitus
Tacitus, Cornelius
Agricola, Gnaeus Julius, 40-93; Germanic peoples -- Early works to 1800; Statesmen -- Rome -- Biography -- Early works to 1800
42. Contiguous to the Hermunduri are the Narisci; [223] and next to
them, the Marcomanni [224] and Quadi. [225] Of these, the Marcomanni are
the most powerful and renowned; and have even acquired the country which
they inhabit, by their valor in expelling the Boii. [226] Nor are the
Narisci and Quadi inferior in bravery; [227] and this is, as it were,
the van of Germany as far as it is bordered by the Danube. Within our
memory the Marcomanni and Quadi were governed by kings of their own
nation, of the noble line of Maroboduus [228] and Tudrus. They now
submit even to foreigners; but all the power of their kings depends upon
the authority of the Romans. [229] We seldom assist them with our arms,
but frequently with our money; nor are they the less potent on that
account.
43. Behind these are the Marsigni, [230] Gothini, [231] Osi, [232] and
Burrii, [233] who close the rear of the Marcomanni and Quadi. Of these,
the Marsigni and Burrii in language [234] and dress resemble the Suevi.
The Gothini and Osi prove themselves not to be Germans; the first, by
their use of the Gallic, the second, of the Pannonian tongue; and both,
by their submitting to pay tribute: which is levied on them, as aliens,
partly by the Sarmatians, partly by the Quadi. The Gothini, to their
additional disgrace, work iron mines. [235] All these people inhabit but
a small proportion of champaign country; their settlements are chiefly
amongst forests, and on the sides and summits of mountains; for a
continued ridge of mountains [236] separates Suevia from various remoter
tribes. Of these, the Lygian [237] is the most extensive, and diffuses
its name through several communities. It will be sufficient to name
the most powerful of them--the Arii, Helvecones, Manimi, Elysii, and
Naharvali. [238] In the country of the latter is a grove, consecrated to
religious rites of great antiquity. A priest presides over them, dressed
in woman's apparel; but the gods worshipped there are said, according to
the Roman interpretation, to be Castor and Pollux. Their attributes are
the same; their name, Alcis. [239] No images, indeed, or vestiges of
foreign superstition, appear in their worship; but they are revered
under the character of young men and brothers. The Arii, fierce beyond
the superiority of strength they possess over the other just enumerated
people, improve their natural ferocity of aspect by artificial helps.
Their shields are black; their bodies painted: [240] they choose the
darkest nights for an attack; and strike terror by the funereal gloom of
their sable bands--no enemy being able to sustain their singular, and,
as it were, infernal appearance; since in every combat the eyes are the
first part subdued. Beyond the Lygii are the Gothones, [241] who live
under a monarchy, somewhat more strict than that of the other German
nations, yet not to a degree incompatible with liberty. Adjoining
to these are the Rugii [242] and Lemovii, [243] situated on the
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