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THE
GERMANIA OF TACITUS,
ETHNOLOGICAL DISSERTATIONS
AND NOTES.
By R. G.° LATHAM, M.D., F.R.S.,
LATE FELLOW OF KING'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, MEMBER OF THE ETHNOLOGICAL
SOCIETY, NEW YORK.
LONDON:
TAYLOR, WALTON, AND MABERLY,
UPPER GOWER STREET, AND FVT LANE, PATERNOSTER ROW.
1851.
U>^M ,
LONDON:
Printed by Samuel Bentley and Co.,
Bangor House, Shoe Lane.
PREFACE.
The methods of ethnological investigation in the
present volume are best collected from the text.
The result is a Germany of very different magni-
tude from that of the usual commentators.
If this be unsatisfactory, there is still some gain to
the cause of scholarship.
The extent to which migrations may be unneces-
sarily assumed, or reasonably dispensed with, is mea-
sured ; so that, to draw a comparison from the exact
sciences, an ethnological work without great migra-
tions is like a geometry without axioms.
The extent of the difficulties and assumptions of the
existing belief as to the magnitude of ancient Ger-
many may also be measured.
The value I put upon the great writers of Germany
on the same subject — Zeuss, Grimm, Niebuhr — is not
thus measured.
I rarely mention except to differ with them.
As a set-off to this, I may add that, it is almost
wholly by means of their own weapons that they are
combated.
Whether the present work took its present form, or
IV PREFACE.
that of a translation of Zeuss's learned and indispen-
sable work,* with an elaborate commentary, was a
mere question of convenience.
To it I am under the same obligations as the
learner of a language is to his grammar, his lexicon,
or his text-book ; and it is not saying too much to
add that nineteen out of twenty of the references and
quotations are Zeuss's.
What applies to Zeuss applies, in a less degree, to
Grimm and Niebuhr.
Nevertheless, though the materials are the same,
the structure is as different as a ship is from a barn, or
vice versa, both built from the same forest.
That the present results have taken a completely
definite and systematic form is more than I think.
Everything in ethnology is a balance between con-
flicting difficulties, and I can only hope that I have
approached a full and complete exhibition of the
ethnology of ancient Germany.
Perhaps, too, the work is rather a commentary upon
the geographical part of the Germania, than on the
Germania itself — the purely descriptive part relating
to the customs of the early Germans being passed
over almost sicco pede.
The real difficulties lay in the geography, and the
classificational portion of the ethnology ; besides which
it is there where I worked with the most confidence.
The chief texts are given in full. To have fol-
* Die Deutschen und Die Nachbarstdmme.
The Deutsche Mythologie, of Grimm, is quoted as D. M.
The Deutsche Sprache as D. S.
PREFACE. v
lowed them up with the same amount of commentary
as is attached to the text of Tacitus, would have
trebled the size of the work. In the case of Jornandes
and Paulus Diaconus there has been an additional
reason for giving the chief passages at large. The
evidently heterogeneous character of their notices
and remarks is intended to exhibit, in a practical
point of view, their value as authorities.
In one respect I may appear to have understated
the case that can be made out by the advocates of
what may be called the German theory in its broadest
form. One of the strong arms of their argument is,
the etymological deduction of names like Snevi, Lygii,
&c, from supposed German roots. Specimens of
these derivations may be found incidentally through-
out the work. In the eyes of such readers as they
satisfy, I have done less than justice to the views of
their devisers. But, if the samples* in question be
(as they are believed to be) fair specimens of the
whole, I have but little fear that the neglect of them
will lay me open to the charge of keeping back any
very valid arguments on the opposite side.
It should be added that the order in which
the different geographical and national names of the
Epilegomena are taken is what may be called logical,
i.e., those populations which illustrate each other, and
which are subject to the same lines of criticism, are
grouped together, sometimes (but not often) to the
violation of geographical proximity, and ethnological
* In the words Saxon, Frank, Dulgibini, Nuithones, and others.
VI PREFACE.
affinity. Thus the Juthungi and Jutes, the Franks
and Varangi are noticed in succession. This is not
because they are really connected, but because they
are most conveniently considered when thrown in
such groups.
Being unwilling that it should appear to be Tacitus,
rather than his commentators, whose authority I im-
pugn, I must remind the reader, that the question is
not whether certain nations of the Germania are
rightly placed therein, but whether Tacitus's test of
Germanism was the same as ours ; and whether, if
different, more correct. Two populations who, ac-
cording to his own showing, would not be German
in the eyes of a modern ethnologist, are especially
stated to have been so in his — viz., the Osi and the
jEstii, and I only urge the probability of the Lygii
and others being in the same predicament.
CONTENTS.
PROLEGOMENA.
PAGE
§ i. Present distribution of families and nations descended from, or
allied to, the Germans of Tacitus .... i
N. § ii. Different stages of the different languages of the families and
nations descended from, or allied to, the Germans of Tacitus . iii
§ in. On the classification of the preceding forms of speech. — The
term Gothic ...... vi
§ iv. On the value of language as a test of Ethnological relation-
ship ........ ix
§ v. Present distribution and classification of families and nations
descended from, or allied to, the Sarmatse of Tacitus . xi
§ vi. On the date of the diffusion of the Russian language over
Russia ........ xiv
"\ § vn. Distribution of the families and nations descended from, or
allied to, the Sarmatee of Tacitus in the ninth century . xv
§ vm. On the assumptions necessary to reconcile the usual interpre-
tations of Tacitus with the state of things in the seventh, eighth,
ninth, tenth, and eleventh centuries .... xxv
\ § ix. Ethnological classification of the remaining European popu-
lations ....... xxxvi
x § x. Valuation of Ethnological groups by the writers of antiquity . xxxvii
§ xi. On certain isolated members of the German family — real or
supposed ....... xxxix
^» § xn. On the military and other colonies of the Germanic and non-
Germanic areas ....... xliii
§ xiii. Germanic area of Tacitus . . . . xlv
§ xiv. Certain modern additions to the Germanic area of Tacitus . xlvi
§ xv. On native and foreign names .... xlviii
§ xvi. Limitations in the way of Etymology . . . Ii
§ xvii. On the term Marcomanni . . . liii
§ xvm. Irregularity of size of Ethnological areas . . . lvi
^*§ xix. Caesar's notices of the Germans . . . . lvii
§ xx. Arminius and Maroboduus ..... lxxxix
§ xxi. Strabo's notice of Germany .... cxviii
§ xxii. Notice of Germany from Pomponius Mela . . . exxvi
§ xxin. Pliny's notice of Germany .... exxvii
VI u
CONTENTS.
THE TEXT AND NOTES.
PAGE
PAGE
§ v. Text ....
32
5 i. Text .
. 1
Notes ....
33
Notes
1
Silvis horrida
33
Ger mania
. 1
Fa opes sunt .
33
Omnis — separatur
6
Serratos, Bigatosque
34
Gallis .
. 6
§ vi. Text ....
34
Rhcetis
9
Notes ....
35
Pannoniis
. 11
Nejerrum quidem super est
35
Rheno
13
Frameas
39
Danubio
. 14
Nomen et honor
42
Fluminibus .
14
§ vii. Text . . .
42
Sarmatis
. 16
Notes ....
42
Dacis .
17
Reges ex nobilitate
42
Montibus
. 17
Duces ....
43
Alpium
17
Sacerdotibus
43
Abnoba .
. 18
Families et propinquitates
44
Plures populos
18
§ vm. Text ....
44
§n. Text
. 19
Note .
45
Notes .
19
Veledam
45
Nee terra olim, fyc. .
. 19
§ ix. Text ....
45
Carminibus .
22
Notes ....
45
Tuistonem
. 24
Mercurium
45
Mannum
25
Humanis — hostiis
49
Ingavones
. 26
Herculem
50
Hermiones .
26
Martem
50
Istavones
. 27
Pars Suevorum — Isidi sa-
Marsos
27
crijicat
51
Gambrivios
. 27
Cohibere parietibus deos
55
Suevos.
27
§ x. Text ....
56
Vandulios
. 27
Note ....
57
Germanise vocabulun
recens 27
Auspicia sortesque, Sfc.
57
Herculem .
28
§ xi. Text ....
57
§ m. Text
. 28
Notes .
58
Notes
28
Principes .
58
Barditum
. 28
Plebem ....
58
ASKIIIYPriON .
30
Noctium
58
§ iv. Text
. 31
§ xii. Text ....
59
Note .
31
Notes ....
60
Habitus — corporum .
. 31
Concilium
60
CONTENTS.
IX
PAGE
PAQE
Licet apud concilium accusare 60
§
xxvi. Text
74
Panarum .
60
Notes
75
Pars multas
60
Fenus agitare
75
Centeni — comites .
60
Pro numero cultorum—
-per
§ xiii. Text
62
vices .
75
Note ....
63
§
xxvii. Text
78
Comitatus — comites
63
Note
78
§ xiv. Text ....
63
Crementur .
78
Note
64
§
xxviii. Text .
78
Civitas
64
Notes .
79
§ xv. Text
64
Validiores olim Gallorum res 79
Note ....
65
Helve t ii
84
Venutibus
65
Igitur inter — Boiemi
no-
§ xvi. Text ....
65
men
' 90
Note
66
Aravisci .
95
Nullus — urbes
66
Osis, Germanorum natione
95
§ xvn. Text
66
Aravisci — ab Osis, Osi ab
Note . ...
66
Araviscis
96
Per arum pelles
66
Treviri
98
§ xviii. Text
67
Nervii
99
Note
68
Vangiones .
99
Severa — matrimonia
68
Triboci .
99
§ xix. Text
68
Nemetes
99
Note ....
69
Ubii
100
Literarum stcreta — ignor
mt 69
§
xxix. Text
100
§ xx. Text ....
69
Notes
101
Note
. 70
Batavi
101
Serajuvenum Venus
70
Mattiacorum
102
§ xxi. Text
. 70
Decumates agros .
102
Note ....
71
Limite ado
104
Suscipere — inim icitias
. 71
§
xxx. Text .
104
§ xxn. Text
71
Notes
105
Note
. 72
Chatti
105
Lavantur
72
Hercynio saltu
107
§ xxiii. Text
. 72
§
xxxi. Text
108
Note ....
72
Note ....
109
Humor ex hordeo aut fru
Crinem barbamque summit-
mento — corruptus
. 72
tere
109
§ xxiv. Text
72
§
xxxii. Text .
110
Note
. 73
Notes .
110
Voluntariam servitutem
73
Usipii
110
§ xxv. Text .
. 73
Tencteri
110
Notes ....
73
§
xxxin. Text .
111
Suam quisque sedem
. 73
Notes .
111
Libertini
74
Bructeri
111
CONTENTS.
PAGE
PAGE
Chamavos .
. 112
hi Herwtinduris Albis ori-
Angrivarios .
. 113
tur
148
xxxiv. Text
115
§ xlii. Text ....
149
Notes
. 115
Notes
149
A tergo Dulgibini et Cha-
Hermunduros
149
suari
. 115
Narisci .
151
Dulgibini
. 115
Marcomanni
153
Chasuari
. 116
Qiiadi
154
Frisii
. 116
§ xliii. Text
154
Majoribus minoribusque 125
Notes
155
xxxv. Text
. 126
Marsigni
155
Note
. 126
Gothini .
156
Chaucorum gens . . ] 26
Gallica — lingua .
156
xxxvi. Text
. 128
Osi
157
Notes
. 129
Burn ....
157
Cherusci
. 129
Lygiorum nomen
158
Fosi
. 132
Arii — Manimi — Elysii
160
xxx vii. Text
. 132
Helveconas
. 160
Notes .
. . 133
Naharvalos .
160
Cimbri .
. 133
Muliebri ornatu
. 161
Veteris fama—
-vestigia 135
Interpretatione Romand
161
xxxviii. Text
. 136
Castorem Pollucemque
. 161
Note
. 136
Alcis ....
161
Suevis .
. 136
Gotkones
162
xxxix. Text .
. 137
Rugii ....
162
Note
. 137
' Lemovii .
162
Semnones
. 137
§ xliv. Text ....
163
xl. Text .
. 138
Note .....
164
Notes
. 139
Suionum
164
Langobardos
. 139
§ xlv. Text
164
Reudigni
. 142
Notes ....
166
Aviones
. 142
Aliud mare pigrum .
. 166
Angli
. 143
Radios capitis
166
Varini
. 143
Suevici maris .
. 166
Eudoses .
. 144
■ A^stiorum gentes .
166
Suardones .
144
Lingua Britannica propior 171
Nuithones
. 144
• Sitonum — femina domina
Herthum, id
est Terram
tur
. 174
matrem
. 145
§ xlvi. Text
175
Insula
. 145
Notes
176
Oceano .
. 145
Peucini — Bastarnas
176
xli. Text .
... 148
Venedi .
. 178
Notes
. 148
- Fennosque .
178
Hermundurori
m civitas 148
Hellusios et Oxionas
179
CONTENTS.
EPILEGOMENA.
§ i. The date of the Germania, as compared with the other works of
Tacitus. — Germanic populations mentioned in the Annals
History, hut not in the Germania
§ ii. The Dea Tacfana .
§ in. The Dea Hludana
§ iv. The notice of Germany in Ptolemy
§ v. Extracts from Jornandes de Rebus Geticis
§ vi. Extract from Paulus Diaconus de Gestis Longobardorum
§ vii. The Traveller's Song .
§ viii. The Goths-
§ ix. The Visigoths .
§ x. The Ostrogoths
§ xi. The Alemanni
§ xn. The Burgundians .
§ xni. The Burgundiones of Pliny .
§ xiv. The Franks
§ xv. The Salii
§ xvi. The Ripuarii
§ xvii. The Varangians
§ xviii. The Russi ('Pws)
§ xix. The Chattuarii
§ xx. The Suevi
§ xxi. The Ciuuari .
§ xxii. The Armalausi .
§ xxm. The Lentienses and Brisgavi
§ xxiv. The Buccinobantes
§ xxv. The Brigonenses
§ xxvi. The Obii
§ xxvu. The Langobardi of Lombardy
§ xxviii. The Gepidae
§ xxix. The Thaifake
§ xxx. The Vandals
§ xxxi. The Rugii .
§ xxxn. The Heruli
§ xxxin. The Brenti
§ xxxiv. The Turcilingi
§ xxxv. The Sciri .
§ xxxvi. The Alani
§ xxxvn. The Huns
§ xxxviii. The Szeklers, Siculi, or Syssele (?)
and
CONTENTS.
§ xxxix. The Rugii, Heruli, Turcilingi, and Sciri .
§ xl. The Varni .....
§ xli. The Angli of Thuringia ....
§ xlii. The Werini of Thuringia
j§ xliii. The Ymbre .....
^ § xliv. The Teutones and Teutonarii
§ xlv. The Jutes . . . . ...
§ xlvi. The Nordalbingians ....
§ xlvii. The Juthungi . . .
§ xlviii. The Saxons .....
§ xlix. The Angli ......
§ l. The Danes ......
§ li. The Harudes ......
§ lii. The Sedusii .....
§ liii. The Cobandi, Phundusii, Sigulones, Sabalingii, and Chali
§ liv. The Pharodini .....
§ lv. The Phirsesi (Qipaiaoi) ....
§ lvi. The Danduti, Nertereanes, Curiones, Intuergi, Vargiones,
Landi ......
§ lvii. The Batti and Subatti ....
§ lviii. The Sturii, Marsaci, and Frisiabones
§ lix. The Parmsecampi and Adrabsecainpi .
§ lx. The Teracatrife and Racatse
§ lxi. The Carini ......
§ lxii. The Vispi .....
§ lxiii. The NovatTres .....
§ lxiv. The Xavgot. KaovXaoi, KadvXnoi, Ka/x^iai/ot, 'Ajai^az/oi
§ lxv. The AayKoaapyoi ....
§ lxvi. The TeyKepoi, 'lyplaves, Kaptrvoi, and Tovpcovoi
§ lxvii. On the relations of the Getas to India
§ lxviii. On the Quasi-Germanic Gauls .
PAGE
civ
civ
cvii
cvii
cviii
ex
cxii
cxii
cxiii
cxv
cxviii
exxiv
exxvii
exxix
exxix
exxix
exxx
and
exxxi
. exxxii
exxxii
exxxiii
exxxiv
exxxiv
exxxiv
. exxxv
exxxv
. exxxvi
exxxvii
exxxvii
cxliv
APPENDICES.
Appendix I. Translation of Extract from Alfred . . cli
Appendix II. Translation of the Traveller's Song . . cli
Appendix III. On the Connection between the Teutones and Cimbri
and the Chersonesus Cimbrica . . . . .civ
THE "GERMANY" OF TACITUS
ETHNOLOGICAL DISSERTATIONS
AND NOTES.
PROLEGOMENA.
§ I. PRESENT DISTRIBUTION OP FAMILIES AND NATIONS DESCENDED
FROM, OR ALLIED TO, THE GERMANS OP TACITUS.
The basis of all ethnological reasoning is the existing state
of things."* This we take as we find it, and by arguing
backwards from effect to cause, arrive at the early history
of the different divisions of the human species.
At the present moment the distribution of the Germanic
nations is very different from what it was in the fourth and
fifth centuries ; in the fourth and fifth centuries it was dif-
ferent from what it was in the time of Tacitus ; and in the
time of Tacitus it was probably different from what it was
at the beginning of the historical era. Earlier still, it was
probably different again.
The present distribution of the families and nations de-
scended from, or allied to, the Germans of Tacitus extends as
far eastward as Australia, and as far westward as North
America ; as far north as Finmark, and as far south as New
Zealand.
* It is almost necessary to state that this characteristic of ethnological
science is taken from Dr. Whewell's " Philosophy of the Inductive
Sciences."
h
11 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Branches of the same great class occur in all the quar-
ters of the world ; in the Asiatic possessions of Great Bri-
tain and Holland ; in America ; and at the Cape of Good
Hope, in Africa; the Dutch and the English being the
chief nations by whom the family has been extended in
these parts.
The migrations which have carried the Germanic popula-
tions thus far, have taken place within the last four centuries,
and belong to that stage in the history of mankind which
followed the great geographical discoveries of the sixteenth
century, the revival of ancient learning, and the evolution of
modern science. The earlier migrations represent a wholly
different social state.
The present classification of the tribes and families in
question is as follows.
1. The Norwegians of Norway, the Swedes of Sweden,
the Danes of Jutland and the Danish islands, together with
the Icelanders of Iceland and the inhabitants of the Faroe
Islands, constitute the first division ; a division which may
conveniently be called the Scandinavian, or Norse.
2. The Frisians of Friesland, Heligoland, and Sleswick
constitute the second.
3. The English of Great Britain, Ireland, and America, the
third.
4. The Dutch of Holland, and the Flemings of Flanders,
a fourth.
5. The .Low-Germans (or Piatt- Deutsch) of Sleswick,
Holstein, parts of Hanover, Mecklenburg, and the Lower
Rhine, the fifth.
6. The High-Germans of Hesse, Franconia, Swabia, Ba-
varia, Austria and Switzerland, the sixth.
I am far, however, from considering the divisions as abso-
lutely scientific. Their value is not uniform ; e.g., the
Dutch and Flemings may fairly be placed in the same class
with the Platt-Deutsch or Low Germans ; and such would
have been done if their greater political importance had
not given them a prominence on other grounds.
All, then, that the previous divisions can do, is to serve as
a groundwork for further investigation.
PROLEGOMENA. hi
In one point, however, the order is natural. It repre-
sents the relationship, affinity, or affiliation between the six
forms of speech ; so that the Norse dialects are the most
like the Frisian, the Frisian the English, the English the
Dutch and Low German, and the Low German the High.
§ II. DIFFERENT STAGES OF THE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES OF THE
FAMILIES AND NATIONS DESCENDED FROM, OR ALLIED TO, THE
GERMANS OF TACITUS.
Some of the tongues just enumerated were reduced to
writing many centuries ago. In this case we have specimens
of them in an earlier stage of their growth ; the difference
between the older and the newer forms of speech being, in
many instances, sufficient to constitute a fresh language.
Thus the English, jn its oldest known form, is Anglo-Saxon ;
yet the Anglo-Saxon is so different from the present English
as to be unintelligible to the unlearned reader.
Again ; certain dialects, which were once cultivated, may
have ceased to be spoken — have become extinct. In this case,
we have an ancient tongue without any modern representa-
tive; whereas, in certain provincial dialects, which have
never been written at all, we have a modern form of speech,
without any specimen of it during its earlier growth. All
this introduces fresh objects of consideration, viz. : — the notice
of the different stages of language, or the descent of one form
of speech from another.
When Tacitus mentions such nations as the Chauci and
Cherusci, we are induced to ask whether any of the present
populations may be their representatives or descendants ; and
so on with the others. Or we may change the form of the
inquiry, and, after enumerating such modern divisions as the
English, the Dutch, or the High- German, may investigate
their parentage, and ask what they each were at some earlier
period of their respective histories.
The descent of the Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish is
from a language somewhat difficult to designate. It is the
mother-tongue of the present Icelandic ; which, in the ninth
century, seems to have been spoken, with but little variation,
THE GERMANY OF TACITUS,
In the three kingdoms they went on so as for two,* or more,
new languages to have been evolved. In Iceland, however, the
contrary took place. The changes were so inconsiderable as
to leave the present Icelandic nearly in the same state in
which it was first introduced into the island ; a fact which
has engendered the somewhat lax statement of the Icelandic
being the mother -tongue of the present Danish and Swedish.
The truer statement would be that the Icelandic is the
unaltered representative of a mother-tongue common to Iceland,
the Faroe Isles, Norway, Siveden, and Denmark.
The descent of the present Frisian is from the Old
Frisian ; a language of which we have specimens as early
as the thirteenth century.
The descent of the present English is from the Anglo-
Saxon ; a language of which we have specimens as old as
the eighth century.
The descent of the present Dutch of Holland is from the
Old Dutch ; a language of which the oldest specimen is no
older than the thirteenth century.
The descent of the present Piatt- Deutsch is from the old
dialects of the Lower Rhine ; the oldest specimens of which
are no older than the thirteenth century.
The descent of the present High German is from the old
dialects of Hesse, Baden, Wurtemburg, and Bavaria ; the
oldest specimens of which are as old as the eighth century.
With these preliminaries, we find that out of the existing
languages the majority can be traced upwards to a certain
point ; the Old High German further than the Low, the
Frisian as far as the Dutch, and the English further
than the Frisian ; a fact which leads us to speak of the
Old Frisian as opposed to the Middle Frisian, and the
Middle Frisian as opposed to the New; and so on through-
out. But as this distinction is of subordinate importance in
ethnology, it will not be further illustrated.
Instead of pursuing it any longer let us see what follows
* The present Danish and Swedish, together with the numerous unwrit-
ten dialects.
PROLEGOMENA. V
from taking up the question at the other end, beginning with
a language at the earliest period of its history, inverting the
previous process, and tracing its progress downwards from its
first appearance in history to the present time.
We get, by this means, more than one additional Gothic
language. First and foremost comes —
1. The Mceso-Gothic. — The tribes who spoke this were the
Goths who conquered Mcesia; the date of its existence, as a
written language, being the fourth century. The Moeso-
Gothic has no living representative, that is, none of the
present dialects of Germany are directly and unequivocally
descended from it ; although the Thuringian is, probably,
descended from some dialect originally allied to it. From
the fact of its being the oldest Gothic dialect of which we
have any specimen, the philological importance of the Mceso-
Gothic is very great-
2. The Alemannic. — This is the present literary German as
it was written in the eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh cen-
turies, and as it was spoken on the Upper Rhine, — in Baden,
Wurtemburg, Switzerland, and Bavaria.
3. The Frantic. — This is German of the middle Rhine, as
it was written in the ninth and tenth centuries.
4. The Old Dutch, Flemish, or Batavian. — This is the pre-
sent Dutch of Holland in its oldest form. It departs from
the Francic much as the Francic departs from the Alemannic.
Hence the Dutch of Holland, and the Bavarian of Bavaria,
may be considered as the two extreme forms of one and the
same * group. All the present Piatt- Deutsch dialects of
Germany are either exactly derived from the Francic, or
from some form intermediate to the Francic and Batavian :
a view which will be noticed in the sequel.
5. The Saxon. — This falls into two divisions, the Old-
Saxon of Westphalia, and the Anglo-Saxon of Hanover,
afterwards transplanted to Great Britain. The Saxon lan-
guage is extinct in Germany, being replaced by the Platt-
Deutsch derivatives of the Francic, or Franco-Batavian.
This circumstance supplies us with a principle of classifica-
tion, the Platt-Deutsch dialect falling into two divisions —
* Viz., the German Proper. — See p. ix.
VI THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
«, the Platt-Deutsch dialect of the original Piatt- Deutsch
area — b, the Platt-Deutsch dialects of the originally Saxon
area. It was Charlemagne who extended the Frank Ger-
mans at the expense of the Saxons, otherwise the present
dialects of Westphalia and Hanover would be English, or at
least Anglican or Angliform.
6. The Old Frisian. — The old language of Friesland is
known to us through the Old Frisian laws ; chiefly repre-
senting the language of East Friesland. Of the Middle
Frisian we have specimens in the writings of Gysbert Japicx,
a poet of the seventeenth century.
The older the stage of the Frisian, the more closely it
approaches the Anglo-Saxon and the Old Saxon.
Of the three divisions of the languages of Germany, it
is the Hanoverian which most closely approaches the more
northern tongues of Scandinavia.
7. Old Norse, Old Scandinavian, or Icelandic. — This is the
well-known language of a rich literature, consisting chiefly
in the alliterative poems of the Skalds, and the prose narra-
tives — fictional, historical, or domestic — of the
§ III. ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE PRECEDING FORMS OF
SPEECH. THE TERM GOTHIC.
The great and important class which comprises these
divisions, is called Gothic ; because it was under the
name of Goths that some of the most important of the Ger-
manic populations were known to the Romans. It was
the Ostro- Goths of Alaric and Theodoric, and the Visi-Goths
of Euric and others, who insulted the declining majesty of
Rome, and founded the Gothic kingdoms of Italy, Spain,
and southern Gaul ; and although other tribes of equal im-
portance contributed to the downfall of the Western Empire,
the term in question is, on the whole, not very inconvenient.
The classification of the Gothic tongues is of two sorts.
We may take the leading characteristics of certain groups,
such as differences of grammatical structure, differences in
the way of their vocabulary, or differences in respect to their
system of sounds, and so make out the necessary number
PROLEGOMENA. Vll
of classes. We may even admit the consideration of certain
external circumstances, such as literary development, and
political separation. This makes the arrangement more or
less artificial.
Be this, however, as it may, the following is a classi-
fication of the kind in question.
a. The Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian dialects (written
and unwritten), the Faroic and the Icelandic, form the
Scandinavian branch of the Gothic stock.
b. The Frisian, Old-Saxon, Anglo-Saxon, English, Low-
land Scotch, Dutch of Holland, Platt-Deutsch, and High
German, form the Teutonic branch of the same.
Of course these again fall into subdivisions, according to
the date of the specimen, e.g., there is the Old Frisian,
Middle Frisian, and New Frisian ; Semi-Saxon, Old English,
Middle English, and Modern English ; the Moeso-Gothic,
Alemannic, &c.
The disadvantage of this method is that, in attempting
to draw definite lines of demarcation between the different
divisions, it disturbs the history of the languages, and dis-
guises the order of their evolution. Thus the Frisian, a
member of the Teutonic branch, is undoubtedly more like
certain Scandinavian dialects than it is to the more extreme
members of its own division.
Such being the case, a fresh view is required, and this is
best given by placing the tongues in a linear series according
to their affinities, and treating them as if (as is really the
case) they passed into each other by insensible degrees.
Hence, the more convenient, as well as the more natural
series, is that of the first chapter, viz.
1. Norse. 2. Frisian. 3. Old Saxon. 4. Anglo-Saxon.
5, 6. Platt-Deutsch and the Dutch of Holland. 7. High
German. 8. Mceso-Gothic.
The general characteristics of these divisions and subdivi-
sions of the Gothic tongues, in respect to the differences of
their systems of elementary sounds, their grammatical struc-
ture, and their vocabularies, are in the department of philology.
One or two isolated pointSj however, have a practical bearing
upon certain ethnological details.
THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
1 . The use of p and h for h and g respectively is High
German rather than Low, and of the High German dialects
more particularly Bavarian.
COMMON HIGH GERMAN. BAVARIAN.
ENGLISH.
Berg... ... ... Pirk
. Hill (berg).
2?aiern ... ... Paiern
Bavaria.
Blind ... ... Plmt
. Blind.
Gott Zott
. . God.
Ge-birg-e ... ... Ke-pirk-i ..
Range of hills, &c.
2. The use of -t or -tt for -s or -ss
is Low German,
opposition to High ; as —
PLATT-DEUTSCH. HIGH GERMAN.
ENGLISH.
Water Wasser ...
. . . Water.
SweY ... ... ... Schweiss...
Sweat.
Ret Es .
... It.
And, on the strength of the assumption which this letter-
change allows : —
PLATT-DEUTSCH. HIGH GERMAN.
Gatti ... ... ... Hesse, &c.
What applies to the Platt-Deutsch, generally, applies a
fortiori to the Saxon, Frisian, and Norse.
3. The Frisian chiefly differs from the Old Saxon and
Anglo-Saxon in the forms of the plural noun and in the ter-
mination of the infinitive mood.
The plurals which in Anglo-Saxon and Old Saxon end in
-s, in Frisian end in -r.
The infinitives, which in Anglo-Saxon and Old Saxon end
in -an, in Frisian end in -a.
ANGLO-SAXON.
FRISIAN.
ENGLISH
Cyning-os . . .
Kening-ar . . .
King-s.
Beern-om
Beern-a
... Burn.
4. In Norse the preference for the sound of -r to -s, and
of -a to -an is carried further than even in Frisian.
5. But the great characteristics of the Norse tongues, as
opposed to the Frisian, and, a fortiori, to all the others, are,
PROLEGOMENA. IX
the so called passive voice, and the so-called postpositive
article.
a. The reflective pronoun sik = se = self coalesces with
the verb, and so forms a reflective termination. In the later
stages this reflective (or middle) becomes passive in power.
Kalla = call, and sig = self. Hence come Jcalla sic/, Jcallasc,
ballast, lallas; so that in the modern Swedish jag Mllas —
I am called = vocor.
b. The definite article in Norse not only follows its sub-
stantive, but amalgamates with it; e.g., lord = table, hit —
the or that ; bord-et — the table {board).
If higher groups than those already suggested be required,
we may say that —
1. The Norse branch contains the Danish, Swedish, Nor-
wegian, Faroic, and Icelandic.
2. The Saxon branch, the Old Frisian, the Old Saxon, the
Anglo-Saxon, and their respective descendants.
3. The German Proper, the Platt-Deutsch (and Dutch of
Holland), the High German, and the Mceso- Gothic.
The paramount fact, however, is, the transitional character
of the Frisian in respect to the Norse.
§ IV. ON THE VALUE OP LANGUAGE AS A TEST OF ETHNOLOGICAL
BELATIONSHIP.
Such prominence has been given to the phenomena of
language and dialect in the preceding pages, that it may not
be superfluous to justify the exclusive attention which has
been directed to them ; and in doing this a qualification of
their value as tests of relationship will be added.
It would be an undue exaggeration of the importance of
the philological method to say, that it should supersede all
others, and that the degrees of similarity in language exactly
coincided with the degrees of ethnological relationship.
They are prima facie evidence of this — strong prima facie
evidence — but nothing more.
Taking the world at large, there are numerous well-known
and extreme instances of a native language having been
unlearned, and a foreign one adopted in its stead ; e.g., the
X THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Blacks of St, Domingo speak French and Spanish. But, not
to go so far, no man believes that every inhabitant of the
British Principality who speaks English, to the exclusion of
Welsh, is as Anglo-Saxon in blood and pedigree as he is in
tongue. Neither does he think this in respect to his Scotch
and Irish fellow-citizens. Indeed, every man who, being born
of parents of different nations, speaks only one language, is
more national in his speech than he is in his origin.
Within the limits of Germany itself this distinction is not
only well illustrated, but it must necessarily be borne in
mind.
What is the history of our own language? Throughout
the whole length and breadth of continental Germany there
is not only no dialect that can be called English, but — un-
deniably as our Anglo-Saxon mother-tongue was German
in origin — there is no dialect which can be said to have
originated in the same source ; no descendant of the Angle
form of speech.
The same applies to the allied dialect of the Old Saxons.
Where that was once spoken, Platt-Deutsch and High
German are now the exclusive idioms ; no descendants from
anything Saxon, but descendants from members of the
Proper German groups.
Extinct as are these two dialects, it is by no means
reasonable to imagine a similar extinction of Anglo-Saxon
and Old Saxon blood. Difficult as the traces of it are to
detect, they may fairly be supposed to exist.
What applies to the Anglo-Saxon and the Old-Saxon
applies to the Moeso- Gothic also.
Though no existing dialect can be traced to it, it cannot
be doubted but that the blood of the ancestors of the Ostro-
Goths and Visi-Goths must run in the veins of some southern
Germans — few or many as the case may be.
Hence the evidence of language is prima facie evidence
only.
Such is the measure of its absolute value — a measure which
subtracts from its importance.
But what if language be the only test we have ; or, if not
the only one, the one whose value transcends that of all the
PROLEGOMENA. xi
rest put together. In such a case, it regains its importance ;
its relative value being thus heightened.
And such is the fact. No differences of physical appear- ^
ance, intellectual habits, or moral characteristics will give us
the same elements of classification that we find in the study
of the Germanic languages and dialects. They may, perhaps,
have done so once, when there was a variety of Pagan creeds
and several self-evolved and, consequently, characteristic
laws. But they do not do so now. A value they have, but
that value is a subordinate one.
§ V. PRESENT DISTRIBUTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF FAMILIES
AND NATIONS DESCENDED FROM, OR ALLIED TO, THE SARMAT^E
OF TACITUS.
The three great recognized families from which Tacitus
separates the Germans, and with which he contrasts them, are
— 1. The Gauls or Kelts — 2. The Finns — 3. The Sarmatians :
this last term being used, by the present writer, in a more defi-
nite sense than the one which it bore with the ancients. Here
it comprises the Slavonians of Bohemia, Silesia, Poland, Gal-
licia, Russia, Servia, Croatia, Carniola, Hungary, Prussia, and
Bulgaria, and something more. It comprises the Lithua-
nians, Courlanders, Livonians, and Old Prussians as well.
The Sarmatians, Finns, and Gauls are the three great
recognized families from which Tacitus separates, and with
which he contrasts, the Germans. But are they not the only
ones ? He notices the Dacians, the Pannonians, and the
Bhatians as well. It is only, however, the Sarmatians that
at present require a special preliminary investigation.
The two primary divisions into which the great Sarmatian
stock falls are — 1. The Slavonic — 2. The Lithuanic.
The details of the Lithuanic branch will be found in the
sequel.
The details of the Slavonic branch are numerous, compli-
cated, and important.
First and foremost comes the notice of their present geo-
graphical distribution.
Geographically, they fall into two large divisions,
Xll THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
from each othet one of which lies wholly to the north, the
other, wholly to the south of the Danube.
North of the Danube, reckoning from west to east, come —
A. 1. The Tshekhs, or Bohemians of Bohemia.
2. The Moravians, or the Tshekhs of Moravia, nearly
identical with the Bohemians — the two languages being but
sub-dialects of the common Tshekh tongue. ■
3. The Slovaks of Upper Hungary, differing more from the
Bohemians and Moravians than those two nations do from
each other, but still belonging to the great Tshekh or Bo-
hemian division. The dialects and sub-dialects of the Slovak
language are as numerous as the Slovak villages ; a fact from
which some inferences will be drawn in the sequel.
The Tshekh division is limited to Bohemia, Moravia, and
Upper Hungary. Both northwards and eastwards, the
character of the language changes.
B. Silesia, even at the present moment, is not wholly Ger-
man. The Serkie of Lower and the Srbie of Upper Lusatia
are Slavonic. They do not, however, belong to the Tshekh
so much as to the Lekh, or Polish branch. Hence their
affinities are with their north-eastern rather than with their
south-western neighbours.
1, 2. The Serke and Serbs are the most south-western
members now in existence of the Lekh branch of the Slavonic
stock ; a division which takes the form of a separate substan-
tive nationality with —
3. The Poles of Poland, Posen, parts of Gallicia, parts of
Lithuania, and parts of Pomerania.
0. Russian. A modified form of the Russian, called Rus-
niak, or Ruthenian — occurs as far west as Gallicia, where
it is in contact with the Slovak of Upper Hungary and the
Polish of Poland. Further to the north it is bounded by the
Lithuanian of Lithuania, Courland, and Livonia, and by the
Esthonian of Esthonia — this last being a Finnic language.
Vast as is the area covered by the Russian language, its
dialects are remarkably few ; a fact which should be con-
trasted with the multiplicity of dialects in the Slovak.
And here the north- Slavonic area ends; an area which
we may, if we choose, call TVcms-Danubian, since all the
PROLEGOMENA. Xlll
countries which it comprises lie on the north side of that
river.
South of the Danube, reckoning from west to east, come —
1 . The Slavonians of Oarinthia, Carniola, Styria, and
south-western Hungary. Differing hut slightly from —
2. The Oroatians — themselves the speakers of a language
which extends, with hut few variations of dialect, from the
Adriatic to the Euxine — the language of the Montenegrino
mountaineers on the frontier of Albania, the Dalmatians, the
Herzegovinians, the Bosniacs, the Servians, the southern
Hungarians, the Slavonians of Slavonia at the junction of the
Save and Danube, and the Bulgarians.
The Slavonic languages, like the Germanic, must be studied
in respect to their history as well as their geographical
distribution — in respect to time as well as place. In this
respect, the fact which has the most important application is
connected with the southern division of them. It was in a
Servian, Croatian, or Dalmatian, dialect that Christianity was
first preached, and the first scriptural translations made.
Hence, the so-called old Slavonic has the same importance in
Russian and Servian philology as the Moeso-Gothic has in
German.
The northern frontier of the south-Slavonic area is formed
by a line running through Styria, Southern Hungary, and the
northern part of Bulgaria ; the southern frontier of the
northern by Bohemia, Moravia, Gallicia, Volhynia, and Podo-
lia ; the intermediate non-Slavonic countries being Hungary,
Wallachia, and Moldavia.
The Hungarians, or Majiars, are of Finnic origin, and
constitute an intrusive population, the date of their intrusion
being the tenth century.
The Wallachians, Moldavians, and Bessarabians are par-
tially at least of Latin origin, and, so far as they are so,
they constitute, like the Majiars, an intrusive population,
the date of their intrusion being the second century, i.e., the
time of Trajan the conqueror of Dacia.
We have seen that, in respect to their geographical dis-
tribution, the Russians, Poles, and Bohemians, belong to
one division, the Servians and Slavonians to another. Is
XIV THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
this the case in ethnology I No. The Russian language,
although northern in locality, is southern in structure, being
more akin to the Servian, with which it is not in contact,
than the Polish with which it is. Nay, more, the older
the specimens of the language the more it approaches the
Old Church-language, or the Old Slavonic.
J VI. ON THE DATE OF THE DIFFUSION OF THE RUSSIAN LAN-
GUAGE OVER RUSSIA.
This is by no means an irrelevant question even in German
ethnology. For that of southern Europe and Asia it is all-
important.
The greater the area we give to the Germans of Tacitus,
the less room we leave for the numerous Sarmatian popula-
tions now in existence ; and the less room we leave for these,
the greater the difficulty of accounting for their wide diffusion.
By supposing, however, that they originated in so large
a country as Russia we meet this difficulty, since we thereby
allow ourselves a vast tract of land to draw upon for the
several migrations necessary to account for the present
presence of Poles in Poland, Serbs in Silesia, Tsheks in
Bohemia, Slovaks in Hungary, and Carinthians, Croatians,
and Dalmatians, elsewhere.
But what if the internal evidence derived from the paucity
of Russian dialects, or (changing the expression) the uni-
formity of that tongue over a vast area indicate — as such
phenomena do indicate — a recent introduction and a rapid
diffusion ? In this case, the difficulty remains as before,
and we must not only exclude a great number of Slavonians
from the countries of the west, but from the valley of the
Dnieper also.
Now, from all that I collect from the language of the
best Slavonic scholars, the Russian tongue in Russia seems
full as new as the Anglo-Saxon is in England; in other words,
its dialects are fewer and less marked than those of the
English of Great Britain.
On the other hand, it is in the south and west that such
differences are the most marked and the most numerous.
PROLEGOMENA. XV
As far, then, as this goes we are unable to draw upon
Russia as the source of the Sarmatian populations of the
countries in question ; a fact which should open our eyes
to the difficulties amongst which we place ourselves by too
implicitly believing that the ancient Germans originally ex-
tended indefinitely far eastwards.
Neither can we go too far north for the parent country of
the Slavonians — since, as late as the tenth century, we have
historical evidence in favour of the Finnic stock having
extended as far south as the Valdai mountains, between
Petersburg- and Moscow.
§ VII. DISTRIBUTION OF THE FAMILIES AND NATIONS DESCENDED
FROM, OR ALLIED TO, THE SARMATJ3 OF TACITUS IN THE NINTH
CENTURY.
To understand the import of this chapter, it is necessary,
in the first place, to bear in mind the distinction between
first-hand and second-hand evidence ; and, in the second, to
appreciate the full import of the palaontological character of
ethnological reasoning — the paleeontological method meaning
the method of reasoning from effect to cause, rather than from
cause to effect. The geologist understands this at once.
The historian requires it to be pointed out.
Now, such information as we collect from Tacitus concern-
ing the Cherusci, Chauci, Frisii, and the other nations of
the Lower Rhine and Weser, is of very different value from
his statement concerning the Semnones, Lemovii, and the
nations beyond the Elbe. The former was collected, either
directly or indirectly, from men who visited the localities
described, fought in them, marched in them, sailed up their
rivers, and acted as pioneers across their fens. The latter
are based upon such information as the people of the parts
which were known could supply concerning the unknown
parts beyond them. As time advanced, however, the more
remote countries beyond the Elbe, beyond the Weser, and
beyond the Vistula, became known even as the terri-
tories of the Catti and Cherusci were known ; so that in-
formation concerning Pomerania, or Prussia, became as definite
XVI THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
and trustworthy as the earlier information about Hesse and
Westphalia.
The period when the parts beyond the Elbe, dimly sketched
by Tacitus, first become known in definite detail, and from
personal knowledge, is the reign of Charlemagne — some,
indeed, earlier, some later ; but still the reign of Charlemagne
is a convenient era, and an era sufficiently accurate for all
present purposes.
Advancing from the dim twilight of a fragmentary and
second-hand history to the full light derived from the personal
knowledge of contemporary witnesses, the first question which
we ask is the extent to which our new knowledge confirms or
invalidates our previous accounts. It may do either one or
the other. If it confirm them, well and good. If it oppose,
a conflict of difficulties arises. In either case, the existing
state of things at the time when our information first becomes
unexceptionable is the primary and fundamental fact with
the ethnologist ; indeed, it is his primum mobile ; an instru-
ment of criticism which the historian, who is more accus-
tomed to rely upon testimony than to venture upon ela-
borate trains of reasoning, is not unwilling to accuse him
of over- valuing ; the ethnologist, on the other hand, imputing
to the historian an undue deference to fallible and indistinct
testimony.
Such are the preliminary observations which prepare the
reader for the statement that nearly the whole of that portion
of the Germania of Tacitus which lies east of the Elbe, as well
as certain portions of it west of that river, are, at the be-
ginning of the proper historical period, not Germanic but
Slavonic.
That they are more or less Slavonic in the present century,
has been shown already ; but that they were so as early as
the ninth, eighth, and seventh centuries, is a fact not
sufficiently appreciated.
The following is a sketch of the details :—
Livonia, Courland, East and West Prussia. — Here the
definite history begins with the twelfth century, when the
Pagan Lithuanians were converted by the Knights of the
Teutonic Order. At that time the whole of the area was
PROLEGOMENA. XV11
unequivocally Sarmatian, without trace or vestige of any pre-
vious Germanic population — no German names for the rivers
or mountains, and no Germanic strongholds in any of the
impervious forests and impracticable fens, — no traditions on
the part of the Sarmatians of their own comparatively recent
arrival in the country. That any portion of the present Ger-
manic population of the countries in question is descended from
an ancestry earlier than a.d. 800, is what no one has ever
ventured to assert, so evidently is it of recent origin, and so
totally has any older population — if such ever existed — died
off without leaving trace, or shadow of a trace, of its
existence.
Pomerania, East of the Oder. — Adam of Bremen first
mentions these Pomeranians, and he mentions them as Slavo-
nians, the Oder being their boundary to the west. On the
east they were conterminous with the Prussians. Their name
is Slavonic, po — on and more — sea, = coastmen. All their
antiquities and traditions are equally so ; in other words there
is neither evidence, nor shadow of evidence, of their ever
having dispossessed an older Germanic population. Nor are
they wholly extinct at the present moment. On the promon-
tories which project into the Gulf of Dantzig we find the
Slavonic Kassub, Cassubitce, or Kaszeb. Their language
approaches the Polish.
Pomerania, west of the Oder, and the eastern part of Meck-
lenburg. — No definite notices of these parts occur before the
time of Charlemagne. From that time downwards, however,
they are numerous. The only Germans that they recognize are
the conquering invaders. On the other hand, the Slavonic
populations are carefully enumerated, and so thoroughly do
they fill up the whole area that there is neither nook nor
cranny for any thing German. The chief nation is that of
the Wilzi, Welatabi, or Liutici, falling into the minor divi-
sions of the Chizzini, near the present town of Rostock, the
Circipani, on the coast opposite the Isle of Rugen, the To-
lenzi, on the Tollensee, and the Bethrarii of the civitas Rethre.
Now, whatever the others may have been, these last were no
new-comers, since the town was preeminent for its antiquity,
and the temple which it contained celebrated for its sanctity.
XVlli THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
The Island of Bug en. — Like the town of Rethre, the Isle
of Rugen was at one and the same time Slavonic, and
sacred ; its sacro-sanctitude implying the antiquity of the
rites practised in it.
Coast of Mecklenburg. — Nothing is known of Mecklenburg
older than the pre-eminently Slavonic Obodrites, separated by
the river Warnow from the Wilzi, and by the Trave from
the Slavonians of —
Holstein. — Here, for the first time, do we meet with a true
Slavono-Germanic frontier. A line drawn from the Trave to
the head-waters of the Eyder forms it. North of the Eyder,
in the time of Alfred, were the Danes ; west of the Trave,
the Saxons ; between those rivers and the sea, the Slavonic
Wagri. The city of Altenburg was Wagrian, and so was
the Isle of Femern.
Lauenburg. — This was the locality of the Polabi, or Slavo-
nians of the Elbe from po = on and Laba = Elbe.
Uckermark. — Here dwelt, at the end of the tenth century,
the Slavonic Ucri or Wucri.
Interior of Mecklenburg and Mittelmark. — The country
between the Hevel and the Muritz-See, a vast wood, requiring
five days to traverse it, was the land of the Slavonic Murizzi
or Morizani ; westwards of these, and extending as far as the
Elbe, were the Wamabi — Slavonic also.
Brandenburg . — Brandenburg is more than sufficiently
covered by Slavonic tribes ; since, the Hevelli or Slavonians
of the Hevel, the Stoderani, the Brizani, the Linones, the
Smeldingi, the Dossani, and the Bethenici, although the exact
localities have yet to be investigated, are quite enough to fill
the tract between Slavonic Altmark on the north-west,
and —
Lusatia on the south-east ; Lusatia, which is, at the pre-
sent moment, Semi- Slavonic, and which was originally wholly
so, Lower Lusatia being the country of the Milcieni, Upper
Lusatia of the Lusici.
Silesia. — Now, and from the dawn of the historical period,
Silesia has been in the same category with Lusatia — i.e., essen-
tially Slavonic.
The Slavonians of Lusatia and Silesia formerly extended
PROLEGOMENA. xix
as far into the present country of Germany as the river
Werra, and as the head-waters of the Maine.
Bohemia with parts of Moravia and Upper Hungary. —
These countries have never been known to be more German
than at present, and at present they are Slavonic. At the
same time, I believe that there are traditions among the pre-
sent Tshekhs, which refer to their conquest of the country and
the usurpation of their ancestors. The value of these depends
upon their nationality. This may be absolute. It may, on
the other hand, be of the same value as the traditions about
Brut being the patriarch of the Britons, or, in other words,
the legend may be more due to the influence of a medieval
Latin literature, than the truly native traditions.
Having thus enumerated the countries which were as much
(or more) Slavonic a thousand years ago as they are now, I
subjoin some of the chief extracts that prove their having been
so — all of them being taken from Zeuss, and those only being
selected which the date accompanies, and where there is,
besides this, the special statement that the population in ques-
tion was Slavonic.
The latest notices come first. They are chiefly from Adam
of Bremen and Helmoldus, and apply to the Slavonians of
the northern frontier.
The twelfth and eleventh centuries. — For the parts on the
Lower Elbe and Oder. — The most important of the notices
here apply to the Isle of Rugen, and bear, amongst other
questions, upon the note in v. Rugii : — " Insula contra Wilzos
posita, quani Hani vel Runi possident, fortissima Slavorum
gens, extra quorum sententiam de publicis rebus nihil agi lex
est, ita illi metuuntur propter familiaritatem deorum, vel potius
dsenionum, quos majori cultu ceteris venerantur.'" — Ad. Brem.
de situ Dan. c. 226. " Supervenit exercitus Rugianorum sive
Ranorum. . . Sunt autem Rani, qui ab aliis Runi appellantur,
populi crudeles, habitantes in corde maris, idololatrise supra
modum dediti, primatum prefer entes in omni Slavorum na-
tione, habentes regem et fanum celeberrimum. LTnde etiam
propter specialem fani illius cultum primum venerationis locum
obtinent, et cum multis jugum imponant, ipsi nullius jugum
patiuntur, eo quod inaccessibiles sint propter difficultatem
XX THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
locorum.'" — Helm. iv. 36. " De omnibus quoque provinciis
Slavorum illic responsa petuntur et saerificiorum exhibentur
annuse solutiones. — c. 6. " Etiam nostra adhuc setate non
solum Wagirensis terra, sed et omnes Slavorum provincise illuc
tributa annuatim transmittebant, ilium (Zuantevit) Deum
Deorum esse profitentes." — Id. ii. 42.
For the Slaves of the continent the following extracts give
us the occupants of the Lower Oder, — " Oddora vergens in
boreain per medios Winulorum transit populos."' 1 — Adam Bre-
mens. Hist. Eccl. c. 66. " Ultra Leuticos, qui alio nomine
Wilzi dicuntur, Oddora flumen occurrit. ,, — Ibid. "Cum multi
sunt Winulorum populi fortitudine celebres, soli quatuor
sunt, qui ab illis Wilzi, a nobis vero Leuticii dicuntur, inter
quos de nobilitate potentiaque contenditur. Hi sunt scilicet
Chizzini et Circipani, qui habitant citra Panim fluvium,
Thosolantes et Rheteri, qui ultra Panim degunt." — Ibid. c. 140.
In the following extract from Helmoldus, mark the su-
perlative antiquissimam, — "De fortitudine et potentia valida
orta est contentio. Siquidem Riaduri sive Tholenzi propter
antiquissimam, urbem et celeberrimum illud fanum, in quo
simulacrum Radigast ostenditur, regnare volebant, adscri-
bentes sibi singularem nobilitatis honorem, eo quod ab omnibus
populis Slavorum frequentarentur, propter responsa et annuas
saerificiorum impensiones. Porro Circipani atque Kycini
servire detrectabant, imo libertatem suam armis defendere
statuei'mit." — Helm. iv. 21 .
More satisfactory, however, than the accumulation of
isolated passages is the following general view, — "Populi igitur
Slavorum sunt multi, quorum primi ab occidente confines
Transalbianis sunt Waigri (al. Vagri), eorum civitas Alden-
burg maritima. Deinde sequuntur Obodriti, qui altero nomine
Reregi vocantur, et civitas eorum Magnopolis. Item versus
nos Polabingi, quorum civitas Racisburg. Ultra quos Lin-
gones [Linones] sunt et Warnahi. Mox habitant Chizzini et
Circipani, quos a Tholosantibus et Retharis fluvius Panis
separat, et civitas Dimine. Ibi est terminus Hammaburgensis
parochise. Sunt et alii Slavorum populi, qui inter Albiam
et Odderam degunt, sicut Ifeveldi, qui juxta Haliolam [Ha-
bolam] fluvium, et Doxani, Liubuzzi, Wilini et Stoderani
PROLEGOMENA. XXI
cum multis aliis. Inter quos medii et potentissimi omnium
sunt Hetharii, civitas eorum vulgatissima Rethre, secies
idololatriee. 11 — Ad. Brem. c. 64.
The ninth century. — Earlier than Adam of Bremen, the
notices are fragmentary. HoAvever, "a.d. 808. Filius impera-
toris Karlus Albiam ponte junxit, et exercitum cui prseerat
in Linones et Smeldingos . . . transposuit. 11 — Annal. Egenh.
ad annum. — Pertz i. 195. To which add, as proof of the
Linones being Slavonic, — " Sclavi illi dicti sunt Lini sive
Linoges?'' — Helmold. i. 37. With the Linones, the Smel-
dingi and Bethenici are generally associated, and never once
considered as other than Slavonic ; though, at the same
time, Smeld-ww? is a German form.
The eighth century. For the parts on the Upper Elbe and
Saale. — "a.d. 782. Sorabi Sclavi, qui campos inter Albim
et Salam interjacentes incolunt in fines Thuringorum et
Saxonum qui erant eis contermini, preedandi causa ingressi."
— Annal. Einh. ad an. Pertz i. 168.
In the seventh century. — "a.d. 623. Anno xl. regni Chlotharii
homo quidam, nomine Samo, natione Francus de pago Sen-
nonago, plures secum negotiantes adscivit, ad exercendum
negotium in Sclavos cognomento Winidas pen-exit. 11 — Fre-
degar, c. 48.
The continuation of Samo's history shows that the Vinidce
here named were the Wends of Bohemia, at least, if not of
Bohemia, of the parts still more west, — " Multis posthaec
vicibus Winidi in Thoringiam et reliquos vastando pagos in
Francorum regnum irruunt. Etiam et Dervanus dux gentis
Urbiorum (Surbiorum) qui ex genere Slavonorum erant,
et ad regnum Francorum jam olim adspexerant, se ad regnum
Samoni cum suis tradidit. 11 — Fredegar, c. 68.
The evidence that there were Slavonians on the Saale in
the reign of Dagobert is abundant. —
" Anno x. regni Dagoberti cum ei nuntiatum fuisset exerci-
tum Winidorum Thoringiam fuisse ingressum. 11 — c. 74.
" Anno xi. regni Dagoberti cum Winidi jussu Samonis for-
titer samrent, et ssepe transcenso eorum limite regnum
Francorum vastandum Thoringiam et reliquos pagos ingre-
direntur. 11 — 75.
XXii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Three other extracts bearing on the early distribution of the
Slavonic nations are of sufficient importance to have particu-
lar prominence given to them.
1. The Munich library contains a MS. of the eleventh
century, written in the monastery of St. Emmeram, in
Bavaria, from which the following is an extract. It may
conveniently be called either the St. Emmeram MS., or the
Descriptio Civitatum.
" Descriptio civitatum et regionum ad septentrionalem plagam
Danubii. Isti sunt qui propinquiores resident finibus Dana-
orum quos vocant Nortabtrezi, ubi regio in qua sunt civitates
Liu., per duces suos partitse. Uuilci, in qua civitates xcv., et
regiones mi. Linaa, est populus qui habet civitates vn.
Prope illis resident quos vocant Bethenici, et Smeldingon, et
Morizani, qui habent civitates xr. Juxta illos sunt qui vocantur
Hehfeldi, qui habent civitates viii. Juxta illos regio quse
vocatur Surbi, in qua regione plures sunt quse habent civitates
l. Juxta illos sunt quos vocant Talaminzi, qui habent civi-
tates xiiii. Beheimare, in qua sunt civitates xv. Marharii,
habent civitates xi. Uulgarii, regio est immensa et populus
niultus habens civitates v., eo quod multitudo magna ex eis
sit [vaga?] et non sit eis opus civitates habere. Est populus
quern vocant Merehanos, ipsi habent civitates xxx. Istee sunt
regiones quss terminant in finibus nostris.
" Isti sunt qui juxta istorum fines resident. Osterab-
trezi, in qua civitates plusquam c. sunt. Miloxi, in qua
civitates lxvii. Phesnuzi, habent civitates lxx. Thadesi,
plusquam cc. urbes habent. Glopeani, in qua civitates cccc.
aut eo amplius. Zuireani, habent civitates cccxxv. Busani,
habent civitates ccxxxi. Sittici, regio immensa populis et
urbibus munitissimis. Stadici, in qua civitates dxvi., popu-
lusque infinitus. Sebbirozi, habent civitates xc. Unlizi,
populus multus, civitates cccxviii. Neriuani, habent civitates
lxxviii. Attorozi, habent cxlviii., populus ferocissimus.
Eptaradici, habent civitates cclxiii. Uuillerozi, habent civi-
tates clxxx. Zabrozi, habent civitates ccxii. Znetalici,
habent civitates lxxiiii. Aturezani, habent civitates cini.
Chozirozi, habent civitates ccl. Lendizi, habent civitates
xcvni. Thafnezi, habent civitates cclvii. Zeriuani, quod
PROLEGOMENA. XXlll
tantum est regnum ut ex eo cunctse gentes Sclauorum exorta?
sint et originem sicut affirmant ducant. Prissani, civitates
lxx. Uelunzani, civitates lxx. Bruzi, plus est undique,
quam de Enisa ad Rhenum. Uuizunbeire, Oaziri, civitates c.
" Ruzzi. Forsderen liudi. Fresiti. Serauici. Lucolane.
Ungare. Uuislane. Sleenzane, civitates xv. Lunsizi, civitates
xxx. Dadosesani, civitates xx. Milzane, civitates xxx.
Besunzane, civitates n. Uerizane, civitates x. Fraganeo,
civitates xl. Lupiglaa, civitates xxx. Opolini, civitates xx.
Golensizi, civitates v.*"
2. Nearly contemporary with this is the account of the
oldest Russian chronicler, and the father of Slavonic history, —
Nestor, a monk of Kiov, in the beginning of the twelfth
century. The names are given in the Slavonic forms for the
sake of showing the frequency of the termination -ne ; and
the reader's attention is also directed to the extent to which
the Scriptural view of the general dispersion of mankind is
connected with the particular history of the Slavonians — " Of
these seventy-two populations, the Slovenian was one ; also
from the families of Japhet, named Illyrian (Ilurici), which
are Slovenian (Slow-jene).
" And after many years the Slovenians settled on the
Danube, where now the Ungarian (Ugorskaja) and Bulgarian
lands (Ugor'skaja — Bolgarskaja Zemlja) are. From these
Slovenians the race spread itself over the earth, and they gave
their names in the places where they settled. So their pos-
terity, which settled on the river Morawa, named themselves
Moravians (Morava), and others Tshekhs (Czesi) ; and such
are these Slovenians, the white Oroatians (Chorwati Vjelii),
the Serbs (Serb') as the Carinthians (Charunt-ane).
" When the Vallachians (Voloch) made an inroad on the
Slovenians of the Danube, and conquered them, and con-
strained them, the Slovenians went forth, and settled on the
Vistula (Vislje), and called themselves Lekhs (Ljachove).
And some of these people were named Poles (Pol-jane), and
others Lekhs, others Lusatians (Luticzi) others Masovians
(Mazovszane), others Pomoranians (Po-mor-jane).
" Thus came those Slovenians who settled on the Dnieper,
and were called Poles. Others were called Derevlians (Dere-
XXIV THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
wljane), because they settled in the woods. Others settled
between the Dwina, and Prepecz, and called themselves
Dregovitshians (Dregoviczi). Others, too, fixed themselves
on the Dwina, and became called Polotsliians (Polocz-ane),
from the name of a river which flows into the Dwina.
" Other Slovenians, descendants of those on the Danube,
settled on Lake Ilmin (jezero Ilmena), and kept their name,
and built a city, and named it Novogorod. And others
settled on the Desna, and on the Sem, and on the Suna, and
called themselves Severians (Sjevera).
" And so the Slovenian tongue spread itself abroad, from
which came the Slovenian writing." — This is from Zeuss,
translation, pp. 597 — 599.
3. Earlier than either of these, though less full, is the fol-
lowing passage from Alfred's Orosius.*
" Be norSan Eald-Seaxum is Apdrede, and east norS is
Vylte, the man Aefeldan hset, and be eastan him is Vineda
land, the man hset Syssyle,-\ and east sivS ofer summe dsel
Maroaro, and hi Maroaro habbaS be vestan him Thyringas,
and Behemas, and BsegSvare healfe, and be suSan him on
oSre healfe Donua thsere ea is thset land Oarendre. Su8 oS
tha beorgas, the man Alpis hset, to thsem ilcan beorgan
licgaS BagSvara land gemsere, and Sveefa, and thonne be
eastan Carendran lande, begeondan thsern vestenne, is Pulgara
land, and be eastan thaem is Creca land, and be eastan Maroaro
lande is Visle land, and be eastan theem sind Datia, tha the
in vaeron Gottan. Be norSan eastan Maroara sindon Dala-
mensan, and be eastan Dalamensam sindon Horithi, and
be norSan Dalamensam sindon Surpe, and be vestan him
sindon Sysele. Be norSan Horiti is MsegSaland, and be
norSan MsegSaland is Sermende oS tha beorgas Riffin. 1 '
* For the translation of this, see Appendix I.
t The italics mean that the word will be noticed in the Epilegomena.
PROLEGOMENA. XXV
§ VIII. ON THE ASSUMPTIONS NECESSARY TO RECONCILE THE USUAL
INTERPRETATIONS OF TACITUS WITH THE STATE OF THINGS IN
THE SEVENTH, EIGHTH, NINTH, TENTH, AND ELEVENTH CEN-
TURIES.
It cannot be denied that the contrast between the evidence
of Tacitus, who wrote from what he heard in the second,
and the evidence of the authors of the time of Charlemagne,
who wrote from what they knew, in the ninth, is remark-
able. What are we to say \
1. That the evidence of Tacitus must be impugned.
2. That the evidence of Tacitus must be limited.
3. Or, that a vast system of migrations and displacements
must be assumed, in order to reconcile the first accurately
known state of things with the testimony of a writer whom
we are unwilling to take exceptions to ?
Whichever of these views be adopted, our decision ought
to be made after a very careful and mature deliberation.
There are complications on both sides, and the whole ques-
tion is a balance of conflicting difficulties.
The occupation of the tract of country between the Vistula
and the Elbe in the tenth century by Slavonians is prima
facie evidence of a similar occupancy in the second.
The term Germania, applied to the same by Tacitus, is
prima facie evidence the other way. To decide in favour of
a Slavonic population on the strength of the former fact,
irrespective of the conflicting testimony of Tacitus, is illegi-
timate ; but it is equally so to take that testimony without
doubt, qualification, or scrutiny. To place evidence opposed
to the a priori probabilities upon the same level with evi-
dence supported by them is unscientific in the extreme ;
indeed the writer who does it places all evidence on the
same level, and requires the same amount of testimony for
probabilities and improbabilities, for the barely possible and
for the morally certain.
Of all the populations east of the Elbe which Tacitus, in
the second century, called German, no single vestige appears
in the tenth. How is this? Was the original statement
XXVI THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
erroneous, or has subsequent change taken place ? No general
answer can be given to the question. It depends upon the
credibility of the author on the one side, and the likelihood
of the changes assumed, on the other. If the changes are pro-
bable and the author unexceptionable, the decision is in favour
of the change. If the author, however, be exceptionable and
the changes such as have never been previously known, the
converse is the case. Between these extremes there is every
intermediate degree. The changes may be of average magni-
tude, and the author of medium credibility. All this, how-
ever, merely shows that the balance between the conflicting*
difficulties is easily struck in some cases, that in some it is
difficult, and in others almost impossible.
I am not, just at present, prepared to decide upon the
particular case in hand, or to determine whether Tacitus has
been, at one and the same time, accurate in all his state-
ments, and rightly interpreted by his commentators, or
whether he has not confounded Slavonians and Lithuanians
with Germans. This will come in due time ; at present it
is sufficient to take an exception against the uncritical spirit
in which his evidence has been treated. Two distinctions of
paramount importance have been neglected.
1. The extent to which his statements are at variance with
the first known state of things subsequent to his time, has
been overlooked.
2. The value of his evidence for the parts which could
only be known, to even his best informants, by hearsay only,
has been placed on the same level with the value of his
evidence respecting the parts personally known to his con-
temporaries.
How different, for instance, were his means of describing a
Frisian or a Oheruscan, from his data for Poland and Silesia.
Yet Poland and Silesia are parts of the Germania of Tacitus,
and Friesland and Osnaburg are no more. The legionary of
Drusus or Tiberius might describe, from personal knowledge,
the populations of Ems, or Weser; but, whoever described the
tribes of the Oder or Vistula, would describe them from hear-
say accounts, — hearsay accounts, which I have no wish to
undervalue, — hearsay accounts which can often be satisfac-
PROLEGOMENA. XXVll
torily confirmed, — hearsay accounts, however, which have
just the same relation to the descriptions of the parts visited
by the Soman armies, as the data for the geography of
Central Africa have to the surveys of the colonies of Natal,
the Cape, or Angola.
This leads us to a new series of preliminary points of
criticism.
A certain amount of migration and displacement is neces-
sary. If Germans were the original occupants of the parts
in question, the Slavonians must have superseded them
in it.
The likelihood or unlikelihood of this must be tested in
several ways.
First, in respect to its extent. — The assumed migration must
have been unsurpassed, perhaps unequally, by any other within
the historical period. When the Germans of Charlemagne,
and his successors, conquered (or re-conquered) Transalbian
Germany, there was neither trace nor record of any previous
Germanic occupancy. Yet such previous occupancy rarely
occurs without leaving signs of its existence. Sometimes
there are fragments of the primitive population safe in the
protecting fastnesses of some mountain, forest, or fen, whose
savage independence testifies their original claim on the soil.
In this way the Welsh of Wales, and the Basques of the
Pyrenees, are monuments of that aboriginal population which
held possession of Spain and Britain, long before the begin-
ning of history, and which partially holds possession of them
now. Yet there is no want of natural strongholds in the
country in question. The Saxon Switzerland, the Bohemian
range, the forests of Lithuania might well have been to the
Germans of Tacitus, what Snowdon was to the Britons of
Agricola, or the Pyrenees to the old Iberians ; in which case
the present Germans of those countries would be the oldest
inhabitants of them, — not the newest, as they are.
Another way in which a primitive, but displaced population
escapes annihilation, is, by taking upon itself the character of
a servile population. In this way the Helots of Sparta,
represent the older inhabitants of Laconia, as well as the
conquered Messenians. Upon this principle Niebuhr argues
XXviii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
that the circumstance of certain Greek towns of Southern
Italy, calling their slaves Pelasgi, indicates a previous Pelasgic
population. By a not illegitimate extension of this view,
the existence of the system of castes is supposed to betoken a
duality of race, — the conquered and the conquerors. But a
servile class of conquered aborigines, was as much wanting in
the Slavonian portions of the Germania, when it was first
known otherwise than by hearsay, as the analogues of the
Welsh or Biscayans. The signs of a primitive population,
shown as they show themselves in Britain or Spain ; shown
as they showed themselves in Greece or Italy ; or shown as
they showed themselves in Hindostan, were equally non-
existent.
Neither were there any traditions. No lays celebrated
either the Arthur which defended, or the Ida which ravaged
the soil. The supposed conquerors knew of no indigent,
which they replaced. No indigence complained of the
stranger who dispossessed them.
Lastly, Saxon as is England, the oldest geographical terms
are Keltic ; some of the original names of the rivers and
mountains remaining unchanged. The converse is the case
in Transalbingian Germany. The older the name the more
surely is it Slavonic.
So much for the extent of the assumed displacement. It
must have been the greatest and the most absolute of any
recorded in history.
It must also have taken place with unparalleled rapidity.
By supposing that the assumed changes set in immediately
after the time of Tacitus, and that as soon as that writer had
recorded the fact that Poland, Bohemia, and Gourland were
parts of Germania, the transformation of these previously
Teutonic areas into Slavonic ones, began, we have a con-
dition as favourable for a great amount of changes as can
fairly be demanded. Still it may be improved. The last
traces of the older population may be supposed to have died
out only just before the time when the different areas became
known as exclusively Slavonic ; an assumption which allows
the advocate of the German theory to say that, had our in-
formation been a little earlier, we should have found what we
PROLEGOMENA. XXIX
want in the way of vestiges, fragments, and effects of the
antecedent non-Slavonic aborigines. Be it so. Still the time
is short. Bohemia — as we have seen — appears as an exclu-
sively Slavonic country as early as a.d. 625. Is the differ-
ences between these areas and the time of Tacitus suffi-
cient ?
Undoubtedly a great deal in the way of migration and
displacement may be done in five hundred years, and still
more in seven hundred ; yet it may be safely said that, under
no circumstances whatever, within the historical period, has
any known migration equalled the rapidity and magnitude of
the one assumed, and that under no circumstances has the
obliteration of all signs of an earlier population been so
complete.
How could the displacement inferred from this utter obliter-
ation, have taken place ? Was it by a process of ejection, so
that the presumed immigrant Slavonians conquered and ex-
pelled the original Goths ? The chances of war, when we get
to the historical period, run the other way ; and the first
fact which we know concerning those self-same Slavonians,
who are supposed to have dispossessed the Germans in the
third and fourth centuries, is that, in the ninth, the Germans
dispossessed them. But, perhaps, the Germans were more
warlike in the time of Charlemagne than before. Not so ;
witness the names of Alaric, Euric, Theodoric, Clovis, &c.
If this view will not suffice, let us try another. Let us
ask if it may not be the case, that, when those Germans, who
are admitted to have left their country in great numbers,
migrated southwards, they left vast gaps in the population of
their original areas, which the Slavonians from behind filled
up, even by the force of pressure ; since geography abhors a
vacuum as much as nature is said to do.
I will not say that this view is wholly unsupported by in-
duction. Something of the kind may be found amongst the
Indians of North America, where a hunting-ground abandoned
by one tribe is appropriated by another. The magnitude,
however, of such vacuities is trifling compared with the one
in question ; besides which, the Indian migrations are those
of a pastoral people, who take their wives and children with
XXX THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
them, and, consequently, leave behind them no means of pre-
serving traces of their previous existence.
History only tells us of German armies having advanced
southwards. The conversion of these armies into national
migrations is gratuitous.
But if the area of the dispossessed Germans was thus
remarkable, that of those who held their ground was not
less so.
Along the Danube there was, at the time of Tacitus, a
real existence of Germans to the south of Bohemia and
Moravia, and it extended so far eastwards as to come within
the same degree of longitude as the supposed Goths of the
Baltic. The Germans of the Danube were the Marcomanni ;
perhaps the Quadi; and almost certainly, some of the ances-
tors and vaunt-couriers of the Goths of Moesia in the third
century.
Now these kept their ground, being the only ones that are
admitted to have done so. They did more ; they encroached
permanently on their neighbours to the east. Strange, that
the fact of lying south of a given degree of latitude, should
thus have preserved those Germans of the Danube against
those fierce Slavonians who (if we suppose the Lygii to have
been Germans, and the Marcomanni to have occupied all
Bohemia) so thoroughly exterminated their brethren to the
north. It looks as if the fact of their having been personally
engaged in warfare against Borne, had so sharpened their
swords as to have endowed them with powers of resistance
unknown north of the Bohemian frontier. Everywhere else
the Germans retired ; between Bohemia and the Danube
they encroached.
Yet it was not for want of enemies that they thus kept
their ground. Theirs was no locality especially favoured by
peace. They had the same Slavonians to contend with that
extinguished the supposed Germans of the Oder and Vistula,
and they had the Romans as well. It is not strange that the
ancestors of the Ostrogoths and Visigoths should have held
out against these odds. It is strange that they should have
been the only Germans w r ho did so. Surely this is a page
in history which may be read differently ; and instead of
PROLEGOMENA. XXXi
supposing them to have been thus exceptional to their country-
men, they may be considered as the only Germans of whose
existence in the time of Tacitus we are sure.
It was as little for the want of actual wars and migrations
as for the paucity of hostile neighbours, that these exceptional
Germans of the Danube are found, in the fourth, fifth, sixth,
seventh, and eighth centuries, in the locality assigned to them
by Tacitus in the second.
There was much of each. This we know to have been
the case. Of similar wars and similar migrations, on the
Oder and Vistula, we know nothing ; we only assume them
for the sake of accounting for a supposed change of popula-
tion.
Now it is certainly unscientific to attribute so much, in
the way of displacement, to the wars and migrations of which
we know nothing, when those which we do know are known
to have done but little. On the real theatre of action, the
Middle Danube, what is it that we find in the time of
Tacitus? Romans, Germans, Slavonians, all on the Rhsetian
and Pannonian frontier, the Romans having the lion's share
of country. What in the time of Theodoric ? Germans,
Romans, and Slavonians, the Germans possessing much of
what the Romans had lost. This is what we see on the
points illuminated by the clear light of history ; and the
changes implied are but moderate. In the parts beyond,
however, everything increases its dimensions. The wars are
more exterminating, and the migrations longer, the displace-
ments greater than anything known elsewhere. Is this the
view which we get from that cautious induction which measures
the unknown by the known, or is it a mere sketch of the
imagination, where all things show larger in the twilight, and
where anything may be assumed, because, though there is
nothing to support an hypothesis, there is nothing to con-
.tradict it?
Necdum finitus Orestes. — The list of improbabilities against
the doctrine of the double migration, are named legion. The
inroad which so obliterated the eastern Germans of the
Germania of Tacitus, was not exclusively Slavonic ; it was
Lithuanic as well. Neither was the whole area which, in
XXXli THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
the ninth century, was undoubtedly divided between these
Lithuanians and Slavonians, absolutely German even in the
eyes of Tacitus. At the mouth of the Vistula the JEstyii
spoke a language like the British.
Let these yEstyians, on the strength of their sermo Bri-
tannica propior, be called the wow-Germanic portion of the
so-called original Germanic area ; and —
Let the Prussians, on the strength of their Lithuanic
tongue, be called the wow-Slavonic portion of the same area as
it appears in the 12th century.
It will be found that the relation of the wow-Slavonic
portion of the Slavonian period, was exactly that of the wow-
Germanic portion during the Germanic period — i.e., both the
JEstyians and Prussians occupied the same locality.
Hence, the displacement of these Britanno- Germanic popu-
lations (and the statement of Tacitus is as valid for the
JEstyians speaking a language like the British as for any
single fact connected with these parts) must ,- ave been accom-
panied with a remarkable act of discrimination — since the
parts occupied by the populations like the British became
Lithuanic and not Slavonic, the remainder Slavonic and
not Lithuanic. This nice appropriation of different parts of
the different areas cannot be said to add to the probability
of the migration which must be assumed. Such a migration,
annihilating the population, traditions, and local names, and
all the substantial realities of a vast district, and, yet, pre-
serving the form of its ethnological area, is, to say the least,
a very remarkable one ; since it gives us a phenomenon
which is better ascertained in chemistry than in history, i.e.,
the phenomenon of replacement and substitution.
A further consideration of the probabilities herein involved
will be found in the notes on the word JEstyii.
But it may be urged that the language of Tacitus respect-
ing the lingua Britannica propior must not be taken too
closely ? Granted. But what statement is more explicit.
If we doubt or qualify this, why not doubt or qualify much
more ; e.g., the Germanic position of the Lygii. This is what
should be done. All that is required is consistency.
But strange as is the accident, that the Prussian conquest should
PROLEGOMENA. XXXlll
exactly coincide with the area of the British language, it is
not an isolated instance.
In the time of Tacitus the parts between Moravia, Gal-
licia, and Hungary were occupied by nations speaking three
different languages — the German, the Pannonica lingua of
Tacitus, and the Gallica lingua of Tacitus.
At the present time three tongues meet in the same parts
— the German, the Slovak, and the Polish of Gallicia, the
Majiar of Hungary being a fourth ; but that is of late intro-
duction.
Now if we assume much migration for these parts, the
migration must have been of the peculiar kind just indicated,
a chemical migration, so to say, a migration plus substi-
tution and replacement ; a migration which, whatever it did
in the way of an indiscriminate abolition of all nationality, at
least left the boundaries of three different languages, and
their geographical relations to each other, much as it found
them.
Certain writers, however (as already stated), adopt the view
of a German migration from the parts between the Elbe and
Vistula sufficiently exhaustive of the original population to
leave the country in a state of emptiness for the Slavonians of
the parts farther eastwards to fill up. These, as they borrow
their notion of a vacuum from the science of physics, may
take their theory of replacement and substitution from the
chemist. Valeat quantum.
Such the displacement. Whence came those who effected
it ? Not from the country east of the Guttones. There were
no such Slavonians there. East of the Guttones (the supposed
frontier people of Germany), the populations were wholly
either Lithuanic or Finnic until the last few centuries, and
are nearly so now. This, then, is no birthplace for the
Slavonians of Mecklenburg and Pomerania.
Did they come from the south — i.e., from Bohemia 1 No !
Bohemia, according to the hypothesis, was German, besides
which, their language was, probably, less like the Bohemian
than the Polish.
Then they came from Poland? Not even this. Poland
was occupied by Lygian Germans.
XXXI v THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
They can be brought from no point nearer than the water-
system of the Dnieper. Yet the water-system of the Dnieper
will not give us the phenomenon required. The language of
that river is eminently homogeneous (Russian); whilst the lan-
guages of Saxony, Silesia, Bohemia, Poland, Pomerania, and
Brandenburg, although all Slavonic, are spoken in nume-
rous dialects and sub-dialects. To derive all this from the
Dnieper is to deduce the whole from the part, the old from
the new.
We have now taken a measure of some of the improbabili-
ties involved in the doctrine of a Slavonic migration to the
Transalbian portion of the Germania, between the times of
Tacitus and Charlemagne; and though they are undeniably
great, their magnitude is only relative ; and a certain degree of
evidence may overbalance them. Difficult as it is to believe
that Poland was ever Germanic, there is, nevertheless, an
amount of testimony which would make it credible. Had an
observer like Crcsar visited the country in person, and known
it as well as he knew Gaul, his did urn would, probably, have
outweighed all other difficulties. On the other hand, had a
writer of no character whatever classed it amongst the coun-
tries of Germany, I should have troubled the reader with but
few reasons for objecting to him, and have disposed of his
evidence in a summary manner, by treating his statement as
an error.
The authority of Tacitus is intermediate to these two
extremes.
Implicit and uncritical belief is not always the highest tri-
bute of respect. So far from finding any morbid feeling of
pleasure in taking exceptions to the statements of a great
writer like Tacitus, I have no hesitation in saying, that the
more I have criticised the more I have found to admire. So
numerous are the cases where an unscrutinizing adoption of
his statements only mystifies us ! Whereas the admission of
the slightest amount of fallibility gives us an important fact.
Such, amongst others, is the statement concerning the lan-
guage of the iEstyii, and of the Gothini (vid. nott, in vv.)
More than this, the very latitude given to the term Germania,
though wrong as far as the facts which it implies are con-
PROLEGOMENA. XXXV
cernecl, is scientifically correct. What Tacitus knew of the
Germans of the south was, that they extended as far down
the Danube as the frontier of Pannonia (say, the parts about
Pesth) ; and he had no reason to imagine that their southern
extension went one hairs-breadth further in an easterly
direction than did their northern one ; or vice versa. Hence,
the extension of their area, as far along the Baltic as it w r as
known to reach along the Danube, was legitimate : subject,
of course, to correction from further investigation ; and
equally legitimate was the assumption that the Ligii and
other populations of the intervening parts were German — since
the reasoning ran thus —
a. The southern Germans run thus far eastwards.
b. The northern do the same.
c. So do the parts interjacent. Subject, I say, to correction
from absolute investigation this a priori view was strictly
scientific ; and who shall say that Tacitus put it forth uncon-
ditionally ?
Again — had the Baltic been even less German than it
actually was, it was only through Germans that it was known
to the Greeks and Romans : what, then, was more natural
than that the extent of the German sea-board upon it should
be over-valued ? Like the present Danes with their occupancy
of the Sound, their prominence exceeded their occupancy.
These and similar considerations show that such inaccu-
racies as we find in Tacitus are, so far from subtracting from
his value as an authority, or from the respect due to his tes-
timony, that they enhance his credit. Such as occur could
hardly have been avoided ; and the only wonder is that there
are so few of them.
If, however, we deny this reasonable amount of inaccuracy,
the thoroughly hypothetical character of the migrations in
question cannot be too strongly stated, or too prominently
exhibited. They are referable to one head, and to one head
only, viz., the facts which they will explain. In and of
themselves they are wholly unsupported — unsupported with-
out, however, lying beyond the pale of observation. The
countries to which they appertain were known (at least)
well enough for Tacitus and others to write about. The
XXXVI THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Germans had their ancient songs that served as records.
And what event so important as the previous loss and sub-
sequent re-conquest of two-thirds of their indigenous soil ?
In short, the migrations in question must come under the
following conditions : —
a. They must he of unparalleled magnitude and com-
pleteness —
b. Of unparalleled rapidity —
c. Unrecorded in any history —
d. Unrepresented by any tradition —
e. Accompanied by the strange phenomenon of replacement
and substitution ; and —
/'. Effected by improbable agents.*
§ IX. ETHNOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION OP THE REMAINING EUROPEAN
POPULATIONS.
The third chapter has served to illustrate the principles of
ethnological classification ; since it has shown that nations as
different as the Icelander and the Swiss may he comprized
in one general division ; in other words that a stock comprises
populations as different from each other as the Bavarians, the
Dutch, the Swedes, the Faroe Tslanders and the Americans
of the United States. Hence the Gothic stock is one of the
stocks of which we have a pretty clear idea.
Another such a stock is the Classical. This comprises the
Latins and Greeks — ancient and modern. Besides which it,
to a certain extent, comprises the Spaniards, the Portu-
guese, the French, certain Swiss populations, and the Wal-
lachians ; in all of which countries the language is derived from
the Latin ; the population being mixed, i.e., partly consisting
of Eoman, partly of aboriginal blood. Now, recognising the
great Classical stock as an ethnological equivalent to the
Gothic, and comparing the extent to which a Wallachian
differs from an Italian or a modern Greek of the other, we
have a convenient measure of the import of the word stock ;
since we see the amount of difference implied by it.
* Viz. by that division of the European populations which, within the his-
torical period, has retreated before the Germanic rather than encroached on it.
PROLEGOMENA. XXXVll
Besides the Classical and Gothic, there are five other stocks
in Europe ; or, changing the expression, the whole
population of Europe may be thrown into seven groups.
Three of these have already been mentioned — the Gothic, the
Sarmatian, the Classical.
The fourth, the Keltic, comprises the ancient Gauls of
Gallia, and the ancient Britons of England, as well as the
present Bretons of Brittany, Welsh of Wales, Manxmen of
the Isle of Man, and Gaels of Ireland and Scotland.
The Ugrians, or Finns, make the fifth group ; and a large
group it is. Besides which it is the only one common to
Europe and Asia. Lapland, Finland, Esthonia, and Hun-
gary, are the present Finn or Ugrian areas in Europe. In
Hungary, however, the Finn population is of recent intro-
duction, the present Ugrian indigence, being the Lapps, Fin-
landers, and Esthonians.
The Basques of the Pyrenees, the only remnants of the old
Iberian population of Spain, form the sixth stock.
The Albanians of Albania the seventh.
The Turks of Turkey, and the Maltese, are not enumerated ;
not being indigenous.
J X. VALUATION OP ETHNOLOGICAL GROUPS BY THE WRITERS OF
ANTIQUITY.
It is not enough to know how a modern writer classifies
the varieties of his species. The reader of Tacitus must try
to ascertain the view that the ancients took of them. We
must not be surprised to find it less scientific than our own.
Of the Classical stock they had a clear notion ; i.e., they
put at its full value the differences between the group to which
they themselves belonged, and the groups to which the so-
called Barbarians belonged. But this notion was clear in
one direction only. It only comprehended the points of
difference. The resemblances which brought the Slavonians
and Goths into the same group with themselves — the group
called Indo-European — were unknown.
Between a Goth, a Kelt, and a Sarmatian, in their more
extreme forms, they also drew a clear distinction ; although
xxxviii the Germany oe tacitus.
their way of denoting it was less precise than our own, and
not always expressed in the same terms.
Of the Ugrians they knew little. Nevertheless, Tacitus
and others distinguish between the Finns and the Germans.
The Albanians, I think, were distinguished from the Greeks
clearly ; but from the nations on their northern frontier in-
distinctly. The term Illyrian comprises the Albanians, and
to hi (thing more.
The Iberians were clearly distinguished from all other
stocks but the Keltic — from that indistinctly.
Upon the whole, the ancients may be said to have over-
valued the difference between themselves and the other six
stocks, and to have undervalued the difference between the
other groups of Europe ; and this is just what the Spaniards
and English did and do with the present American abori-
gine?;.
These observations have been made upon the assumption
that the only point which required illustration was the extent
to which the ancients and moderns differed in their views of
the same phenomena ; an assumption which supposes that the
number of stocks at the beginning of the historical period was
neither more nor less than it is at present, and that their
mutual relations were the same. This, however, may not
have been the case. Stocks may have become extinct ; or,
instead of the broad and trenchant lines of demarcation which
now separate the great groups from each other, there may
have been a series of imperceptible transitions. In either of
these cases it would be incorrect to say that the modern view
is more scientific than the ancient. The latter, instead of
seeing the same things in a different light, may have seen a
different state of things.
PROLEGOMENA. XXXIX
§ XI. ON CERTAIN ISOLATED MEMBERS OF THE GERMAN FAMILY
REAL OR SUPPOSED.
The connexion of the American with the Englishman is
clear. Nearly as clear is that between the Englishman and
the German. In either case there has been a continuous
extension of the original population ; and that within the
period of clear and authentic history.
But what if we found Englishmen in countries which no
Englishman was known to have invaded? isolated English-
men ? Englishmen cut off from the rest of their nation and
language ? In this case we should have a truly ethnological
fact ; since history, properly so called, would be silent.
Or what if we found apart from the other Germans, simi-
larly isolated populations, whose language was indeed German,
but of an uncertain affinity — connected with the Dutch as
much as the English, the Norse as much as the Frisian.
What if the language were lost, and nothing but similarity
of manners, or some vague tradition connected them with the
assumed parent stock ?
The problem would become still more complicated.
Now such problems really exist. There are Goths beyond
the pale of England, America, Germany, and Scandinavia.
They require notice.
1. The Germans of the Vicentine. — Two (perhaps more)
passages mention the reception, on the part of Theodoric the
Ostro-Goth, of certain Alemannic Germans, within the
boundaries of Italy. One is a letter of his own to Clovis : —
" Motus vestros in fessas reliquias temperate : quia jure
gratise merentur evadere, quos ad parentum vestrorum defen-
sionem respicitis confugisse. Estote illis remissi, qui nostris
finihus celantur exterritir — Cassiod. Variar. ii. 41.
The other is from the Panegyric of Ennodius : — " Quid
quod a te Alamanniw generalitas intra Italia, terminos sine
detrimento Romanse possessions inclusa est? cui evenit ha-
bere regem, postquam meruit perdidisse. Facta est Latiaris
custos imperii semper nostrorum populatione grassata. Cui
xl THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
feliciter cessit fugisse patriam suam, nam sic adepta est soli
nostri opulentiani.""
At the present moment the Sette communi near Verona,
and the Tredice communi near Vicenza, are inhabited by an
isolated population, whose language is a peculiar, and insuf-
ficiently studied, dialect of the German — apparently of the
High-German division. The Alemanni of the time of Theo-
doric are the Germans, whom this settlement is most generally
supposed to represent.
•2. The Germans of the Crimea. — Procopius mentions
under the name of YotOol Terpa^trai, a small Gothic po-
pulation on the Pains Mreotis — 'H Mtn&m? KaXovpivrj Xtpuvrj
€ YotOol oi Terpa^tTat /caXov/xevot, coKrjvrau, ov 7ro\\ol
ovres — Bell. Goth. iv. 4.
He praises the bravery with which they withstood the
Utuguri.*
In the following extract the 'AGaayol are the Circassians
with whom these Goths came more in contact than any other
Europeans : — Eire he tt} Apeiov So^s iyevovro irore o[
YotOol ovtol, coairep /cal rd aWa YotOlku eOvrj, elre real
aX\o tl ap,(pl rfi So^rj clvtols ijafcrjro, ovk eyw elirelv, eirel
ovhe aurol laaatv, aXX" d irporepov^
"Eyvcoaav he 009 Kal A§aayol<; lepea /3ao~ikevs eTre/uyjre, Kal
avrols TrpoOvpLorara J lovo~Tiviavbv Te\ovar)(0T6ivf)<; i/to? yeyovws . . . 6 Se oaios ovtos eVt-
o"/co7T09 'Icodvvrjs fiera ravra fxeTa tov l&lovXaov T049 dpyovai
tcov Xa^dpcov i^eS66r], Sod to o-varadrjvat avTco rat Kvplai
Yordias, Kal rots dpyovcnv avTOv Kal iravrl ra> \aa>, 737509
to fiy KaTaKvpcevaat 7-779 % tyvkaKas
TogaTovs, oy? Kal efeoYwfev 6 elprjfievos 00-409 eTria-Koiros
jjueTa tov Xaov avTOv, Kal tus far) a ov pas eKpaTrjaev Vit.
S. Joannis, ex Ood. Vatic, ap. Boll. Jun. 5, 190, 191.
a.d. 1255, they spoke German : — " II y a des grands pro-
montoires ou caps sur cette iner depuis Kersona jusquaux
embouchures du Tanais et environ quarante chateaux entre
Kersona et Soldaia, dont chacun a sa langue particuliere. II
y a aussi plusieurs Goths, qui retiennent encore la langue
Allemander — Reis. Rubruquis.
So they did in 1436: — " Dritto dell' isola di Capha
d 1 intorno, ch' e su '1 mar maggiore, si truoua la Gothia, e poi
F Alania, laqual va per F isola verso Moncastro . . Gothi par-
lano in Todesco. So questo, perche havendo un famiglio
Todesco con me, parlauano insieme et intendeuansi assai
ragioneuolmente, cosi come s' intenderia un Furlano con un
Fiorentino." — Josafa Barbaro.
a.d. 1557 — 1564, Busbequius describes the appearance of
one of them as " procerior, toto ore ingenuam quandam sim-
plicitatem prse se ferens, ut Flander videretur aut Batavus.""
He further learned — " gentem esse bellicosam, quae complures
pagos hodieque incoleret, ex quibus Tartarorum regulus, cum
expediret, octingentos pedites sclopetarios scriberet, prsecipuum
suarum copiarum firmamentum : primarias eorum urbes alteram
Mancup vocari, alteram Sciuarin^
Finally, he gives a short vocabulary of their language. —
See Legatio Turcica.
The nearest representatives of the proper Goths of the Lower
Danube are these Goths of the Crimea, whose language is now
said to be extinct, but who require further investigation.
The Germans of both the Vicentine and the Crimea are well
authenticated, and unequivocally Germanic populations. This
is not the case with —
xlii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
3. The Germans (?) of Canuola. — In Zeuss we have the
following extract — one from an old, the other from a modern
writer : —
a. Procop. Bell. Goth. i. 15, "TirepOe Be avTwv (Bev€-
Tioov) 'EtcTKioi re Kal 2ovd£oc (ov^ ol <$>pdy
ferunt."— P. 363.
The name Gotschee is mentioned by Constantinus Porphyro-
genita — Kal 6 Boavo? avrwv /cparel rrjv KplSaaav, rqv
Ait&v, Kal Tijv Tovrfyfca. — De Administ. Imp. c. 30.
The term Gotschee is sufficiently like Goth to indicate
an etymology in that quarter ; but upon this Zeuss remarks
that, " this is no reason for so deriving it, since the form
Goduscani * admits of another etymology, viz., Godesca from
god, bonus.' 1 '' — " Der Name hat Anklang mit dem der Gothen,
gibt aber darum noch keinen Grand zur Ableitung derGotscheer
aus diesem Volke, da die Schreibung Goduscani noch andere
Etymologie (Godisca aus god, bonus) zulasst. 11 — Zeuss, 591.
It is more important to verify the statement of Lazius
than to speculate on it ; but it is so doubtful whether this
can be done, that it is only because the Gotschee population
has been recognized by good writers as Germans, that it
finds a place at all in the present volume. The following
facts stand against the extract from Lazius : —
1. The absence of any other testimony to the previous
existence of Goths in Carniola.
2. The absence of any traces of them at present.
* The Latin form of the word.
PROLEGOMENA. xliii
3. The likelihood of Procopius having meant, by Sovdgoi,
the Slavonians of the river Save ; whilst the similarity of
the word to Suevi misled Lazius.
4. The conjunction of the Gotscheer, as Goduscani, with
the Slavonic Obotrites of the Danube (so-called), and the
equally Slavonic Timociani, in an embassy to Louis in
a.d. 818, as well as in other Slavonic alliances.
§ XII. ON THE MILITARY AND OTHER COLONIES OF THE GERMANIC
AND NON-GERMANIC AREAS.
The frontier between the Germanic Thuringians, and the
Slavonic Sorabians, or Sorbs, at the beginning of the his-
torical period, was the river Saale.
Yet there were Slavonian populations west of this — even
on the Upper Mayne and Neckar, and in other quarters
equally Germanic.
Thus — " De possessionibus S. Bonfatii martyris preescrip-
tus venerabilis Abbas Vuerinharius pari mutuatione con-
cambii dedit in jus et proprietatem S. Mauritii martyris
quicquid in Frekenleba, et Scekkensteti, Arneri, Lembeki et
Faderesrod, Kerlingorod, Mannesfeld, Duddondorf, Rodon-
vualli, Menstedi, Purtin et Elesleiba aliisque villis villa-
rumque partibus quas Slavuaniae familite inhabitant . . .
visus est habere." — Docum. a.d. 973.
And, again, earlier still, in a.d. 846. — " Qualiter
domnus Karolus .... episcopis preecepisset, ut in terra
Sclavorum, qui sedent inter Moinum et Radantiam fluvios,
qui vocantur Moinu-winidi et Eatanz-winidi."
Taken by themselves, these passages suggest the notion that,
great as are the limitations placed by the present writer upon
the accredited Germanic area of Tacitus, they are still insuffi-
cient ; in other words, that the Slavonic frontier should be
brought even further westward.
Similar passages also occur in respect to the parts about
the Hartz which (taken by themselves) lead to the same con-
clusion.
They must not, however, be taken by themselves. The
system of military colonies, or, if not military colonies, of the
Xliv THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
forcible removal of conquered populations, which we find to
have been practised by the Kings of Persia and Assyria, was
also practised by the later Roman Emperors. It was also
practised by more than one Germanic conqueror — though the
exact time when the system began is difficult to ascertain.
A system, however, it was — " Decern millia hominum ex his,
qui utrasque ripas Albis flumims incolebant, cum uxoribus et
parvulis sublatos transtulit, et hue atque illuc per Galliam et
Germaniam multimoda divisione distribuit."
This is related by Eginhard of the great enemy of the
Saxons — Charlemagne.
Again — " Misit imperator (Charlemagne also) scaras suas
in Wimodia et in Hostingabi et in Rosogavi, ut illam gentem
foras patriam transduceret ; nee non et illos Saxones, qui
ultra Albiam erant, transduxit foras, et divisit eos in reg-
num suum ubi voluit. 11 — Chronicon Moissiac. ad an. 804.
(Pertz i. 307.)
The following is a double removal : — " ^Estate in Saxoniam
ducto exercitu, omnes qui trans Albiam et in Wihmuodi
habitabant Saxones cum mulieribus et infantibus transtulit in
Franciam, et pagos transalbianos Abotridis dedit. 11 — Annal.
Einhard. ad an. 804. (Pertz i. 191.)
Lastly — " In diebus illis surrexerunt de populo Holzatorum
amplius quam sexcenta) familise, transmissoque amne abierunt
via longissima, quwrentes sibi sedes opportunas, ubi fervorem
persecutionis declinarent. Veneruntque in monies ffarticos,
et manserunt ibi, ipsi et filii et nepotes eorum usque in hodier-
num diem. 11 — Helm. Chron. Slav. i. 26.
The Frisians, Dutch, and Saxons seem to have been the
chief colonists of this kind : — " Neque illse fraudes locorum,
nee . . perfugia silvarum barbaros tegere potuerunt, quominus
ditioni tuse divinitatis omnes sese dedere cogerentur, et cum
conjugiis ac liberis, ceteroque examine necessitudinum ac rerum
suarum ad loca olim deserta transirent, ut quae fortasse ipsi
quondam deprsedando vastaverant, culta redderent serviendo :
arat ergo nunc milii Chamavus et Frisius et ille vagus, ille
praedator exercitio squalidus operatur et frequentat nundinas
meas pecore venali, et cultor barbarus laxat annonam. 1 ' —
Eumenii Panegyr. in Maxim, cc. 8, 9.
PROLEGOMENA, xlv
For the particular colony of the Warasci, see note in v.
Narisci.
In the same neighbourhood (i.e., on the Doubs) were
several pagi of —
a. The Commavi, Amavi, taking as a later form, the name
pagus Ammaus, Emaus, and Amausensis —
b. The Athoarii, Attoarii, Hatuarii, or Hatoarii.
There can be little doubt but that these were Chamavi
and Chattuarii removed from their original localities.
The detail of such colonies is a point of minute ethnology.
They are mentioned here, however, for the sake of showing
that the presence of certain populations in certain localities,
is to be taken with caution. They may exist without the
parts about them being similarly occupied. In which case
the population is sporadic.
Now, in order to constitute a true ethnological area, a
population must not be isolated, unconnected, or sporadic, but
continuous.
§ XIII. GERMANIC AREA OF TACITUS.
The Germany of Tacitus extends from the Rhine to the
parts about the amber-country of Oourland on the north, and
as far as Gallicia on the south : to each of which countries
we have special allusions.
For the intermediate portion of Europe, the frontier is
carried at least as far as the most eastern of these points ; and
possibly farther — possibly farther, because the central nation
of the Lygii, whose country coincides with the modern king-
dom of Poland, is described as a large one.
With these limits it includes Mecklenburg, Brandenburg,
Pomerania, East and West Prussia, Saxony, Silesia, Bohemia,
and Poland.
By the Germany of Tacitus, I mean Tacitus according to
the usual interpretation ; without either affirming or denying
that his text requires this extent of country to verify it.
xlvi THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
§ XIV. CERTAIN MODERN ADDITIONS TO THE GERMANIC AREA OF
TACITUS.
It by no means follows that, because the Germania of
Tacitus constitutes a very large tract of country, the whole of
the area occupied by the Germanic stock was therefore known
to that author.
He writes that it was separated from Dacia and Sarmatia
montibus aut mutuo metu.
This is not the language of a precise geographer — indeed,
precise geography for the parts in question was in Tacitus's
time an impossibility.
Hence, any writer who may hold that there Mas a Germany
or Germans, either to the north or to the east of the limits
ascribed in the Germania, holds nothing unreasonable. The
Dacians and Sarmatians might only have interrupted the out-
line of that area ; in which case Germans might re-appear on
the Lower Danube, or in Western Russia, Germans of whom
Tacitus knew nothing, and of whom he had lost sight on
reaching the Dacian and Sarmatian frontier.
There is nothing unreasonable in all this ; and the likelihood
of the Germanic area of Tacitus being smaller, is just as open
a question as the likelihood of its being larger, than the real
one. Individually, I believe it to be too wide;* but that is
no reason why others should not consider it too narrow.
This has been done. The greatest authority of Germany
has expended much learning and ingenuity (language more
favourable than this cannot be applied to even the arguments
of the great author of the Deutsche Grammatik) on what
may be called the Getic hypothesis.
Let it be admitted that the chances against the name of a
locality reached by a body of emigrants, invaders, or con-
querors, being identical with that of the locality from which
those emigrants, invaders, or conquerors started, are almost
infinite.
Thus, the chances are almost infinite against the native
New Zealand name of the locality of the present settlement
* Though only in its eastern direction. Its northern area was too small.
PROLEGOMENA. xlvii
of Canterbury, being Canterbury also. Nor yet any name
very similar to it, such as Canterberg, Kentbury, &c.
Though this is an extreme case, it illustrates the points of
question — it being assumed, of course, that the similarity is
wholly accidental. If Englishmen had been there previously,
the case would be different. The similarity would then be
other than accidental ; and a connexion of some sort or other
between the district in which the settlement took place, and the
district from which the settlers originated would account for it.
No one imagines Boston in Massachusets to be a native
Indian name. Yet why should it not be so I Not because
the combination was either impossible or improbable for an
Indian ; but because it is the name of a town in England —
from whence some of the settlers came, or upon which they
had their eye. Such is the fact ; and it is a fact which
we should have been nearly as sure of, if the details of the
foundation of Boston of Massachusets were unknown, as we
are now.
The presence of Englishmen in the two Bostons would
have been conclusive ; the chances against a people con-
nected with one Boston falling in accidentally with another
Boston ready-made (as it were) in respect to name, being
incalculably great.
But what if the Boston in Massachusets were the older
name of the two ? Difficulties would arise. We could not
then derive it from the Boston in Lincolnshire.
It is not necessary to carry this hypothetical illustration
farther : mutatis mutandis, the argument which it involves
applies to the Goths and the Geta.
a. The names are alike : indeed by the later writers Geta,
is used as equivalent to Gothic ; and in Pliny we find Gauda
by the side of Geta.
b. The supposed country of the Goths is Germany : the
undoubted country of the Geta is the Lower Danube.
c. Of the two names that of the Geta is the older.
In this case we really have the difficulty so lately indicated.
Emigrants, with the name Gothi, leave Germany; and, of
all the countries in the world, settle in one belonging to a
people with a name so like their own as that of the Geta acci-
xlviii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
dentally. It may safely be said, that if this has happened at
all, it has happened against great odds.
Yet the solution is obscure ; we cannot well suppose the
Grothi to have migrated from the land of the Geta ; whilst
the notion that the Get (th), a sound too rare to be
supposed to have come from another language.
(I. When the aame is very particular and specific. — The
names that one nation gives another are mostly generic and
collective. They have seldom a vocabulary sufficiently full
for the divisions and subdivisions of any family but their
own. On the other hand, a very generic and collective
power is prima facte evidence of the name to which it is
attached not being native.
Writers, from whom it is unsafe to differ — as far as they
go on any principles at all, and exercise any doubt whatever
upon the subject — will possibly add another characteristic of
indigenous use. They may consider that the general and
undoubted vernacular use of a given name at one period may
be a conclusive argument in favour of its vernacular use
originally. The natural reluctance of a whole nation to take
to itself a designation given it by another, may be urged in
favour of this view. I submit, that this is entirely a ques-
tion of degree ; and that it depends on the relative influence
and importance of the two nations involved. The modern
name Belgium is, undoubtedly, anything but native, i.e., in
its immediate application. It is a Roman word, in a Roman
form, and all that can be said in favour of its Belgic character
is, that the country to which it applies supplied the Latin
language with the most essential part of it. Nevertheless, it
PROLEGOMENA. li
is a word of Roman make ; one which never has been deve-
loped in the country itself.
That it is foreign we know ; and we know it because it
has been assigned within the memory of man. But what if
it had been assigned in the obscure days of the third and
fourth centuries I It would undoubtedly have passed for
native.
At the same time I admit that, in order for one nation to
adopt the name by which it is known to another, there
must be a very favourable combination of circumstances ;
e.g.—
a. There must be a considerable difference in the power
of the two populations; the weaker taking the name from
the stronger only when the fact of its relative weakness
is evident.
h. Or there must be intermixture.
c. Or there must be more than one nation to use the
foreign term, whilst only one upholds the native.
Contrary to many, I am dissatisfied with the evidence which
makes two very important words native and German —
Suaiia (Suevi) and Saxon. I think each of these was di-
rectly Roman, and remotely Keltic. Hence, to the objection
against their %ow-Germanic character, founded upon their
undoubted adoption by undoubted German populations, I
suggest the fact that their adoption was favoured by the
support of two languages (the Roman and the Keltic) against
the German single-handed.
More specific reasons will be found in the sequel.* At
present I merely illustrate a line of criticism.
§ XVI. LIMITATIONS IN THE WAY OF ETYMOLOGY.
The etymology of national names is generally considered
a powerful instrument in ethnological research.
It is doubtful, however, whether much has been done by it.
Few writers admit any one's etymologies but their own.
This is a proof of the arbitrary method in which the practice
is carried out,
* Epilegomena, § Suevi.
e 2
Hi THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
In the name Cherusci sonic of the best writers of Germany
find the root heru = sword. Hence, the Cherusci are sivords,
and, by extension, swords-men.
But there is another nation mentioned by Tacitus, called
Suard-ones. Snard = sword ; and, hence, Cherusci — Suard-
ones, and vice versa.
Thirdly, as sahs = dagger ; dagger = sword, the Saxons are
the men of the sahs. Hence, /Saxon = Suardones = Cherusci,
and the three tribes are the same.
I give this as an illustration of an investigation; valuable,
if true. But the truth is doubtful.
In most investigations of this sort, two series of facts are
overlooked.
1. The language to which the derivational process is
applied. — How many have sought for a German meaning
to the word Germani, without submitting it to the previous
inquiry as to whether the name were German at all.
2. The likelihood of the name itself. — I will not deny
that nations may be found who give themselves such names
as Sword, Dagger, Knife, &c. I only argue that the induction
by which such names can be shown fitting to an unknown
ease, has yet to be made.
A fact that eminently invalidates this kind of criticism,
is the habit of numerous nations themselves. Many of them
are so far from supposing that their name has an intelligible
origin, that they exhibit an unconscious confession of their
ignorance. The Greeks (for instance) and many Oriental
nations explain their name by supposing that it is that of
the patriarch of their stock — their eponymus. Thus the
Hellenes derive themselves from Hellen, the Turks from
Turk, &c. They would not do this if, in the full command
of their own tongue, and in a period comparatively near
the origin of their name, there was some custom or attri-
bute connected with themselves which would explain it
better.
I think the etymology of simple uncompounded national
names dangerous and unscientific. In a few cases it is admis-
sible — but only in a few. In the present volume I adopt the
accredited meaning of three simple uncompounded names only
PROLEGOMENA. liii
— Franks,* ^Estyi,-\ Jazyges.\ With compounds and deri-
vatives, it is different. One part of the word helps to verify
another, and so error gets guarded against.
In compound words, then, only — such as Marc-o-manni,
and Boio-hemum (with the three exceptions given above)
shall I allow myself to argue from the etymology to any
ulterior conclusion.
§ XVII. ON THE TERM MARCOMANNI.
In respect to its form, Marc-o-manni is one of the most
satisfactory words of antiquity.
It first appears in Caesar's notice of the subjects and
allies of Ariovistus. The fact of Caesar's informants being
Gauls, and the greater part of his nomenclature being Gallic,
is the only difficulty that accompanies the notion of the
German being the language in which its meaning is to be
sought.
But this is only the shadow of a shade ; inasmuch as the
undoubtedly German authorities, in which it afterwards
occurs, do away with all doubt as to the tongue to which it
belongs.
Nevertheless, why this should be German, when Csesar's
other names are Gallic, is not so easy to say.
Its form is full and perfect. There are the two elements
which make it a compound (mark + man) and the copula
(-0-) which connects them.
Mark = march, and mann = man, so that Marc-o-manni
= men of the marches.
From this derivation I draw three points of great im-
portance in the practice of ethnological criticism, points
which, so far as I am aware, have never been sufficiently
attended to ; at any rate, they have never been made the
basis of so much inference as they will be in the following
1. The first of these is the possibility of the number of
Marc-o-manni being numerous ; as numerous as the number
* See Epilegomena, § Franks. t See Note ad, voc.
t See Page 16.
liv THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
of the marches. Something of the kind has been admitted;
and March/men, over and above those of Ariovistns and the
Mareoniannic war, have been recognised. But not to the
extent necessary to do away with the difficulties of the
question. The Gallic march, on the confines of Germany and
Gaul — the Slavonic march, falling into different divisions
according to the different parts of the lengthy frontier — the
Eoman march, on the confines of those parts of Vindelicia,
and the Decumates Agri which acknowledged the supremacy
of the empire — and the Northern march, on the side of the
unascertained frontier of Sleswick-Holstein — each, or any of
these, may have supplied the name Marc-o-manni. I do not
say that they all have done so. I only say that such may
have been the case. If so, how hasty it is to assume that
the Marc-o-manni of different times and different localities are
one and the same representatives of a separate substantive
nation as truly as Cherusci or Chamavi are — locomotive,
migratory, and well-nigh ubiquitous. No one in England
imagines that the history of the Welsh Marchmen, is that
of the Marchmen of the Scottish border, and that the front-
agers which we find in Shropshire and Chester, are descend-
ants of those of Westmoreland and Cumberland; bodily
moved from one area to another by migration — or, vice versa.
No ! There were as many Marchmen as Marches, and as
many Marches as frontiers. I do not, at present, say that
the Marcomanni of Ariovistus and the Marcomanni of Maro-
boduus belonged to different sections of the Germanic stock ;
since what is written, at present, is meant as an illustration
rather than an argument. I only say that it is likely that
they did so — the one being the Marchmen of the Gallic, the
other the Marchmen of the Rhaeto-Vindelican, or Rhajto-
Pannonian march ; possibly as different from each other as
the retainers of the ancient lords of the marches of Alnwick
and Ludlow respectively.
2. The next is the strong likelihood of the great majority
of the marches of the ancient Marcomanni coinciding with
the boundaries of different stocks, races, varieties, or whatever
we call those great divisions of the human species which we
designate by the terms Gothic, Slavonic, and Keltic. I say
PROLEGOMENA. lv
great likelihood, because I am unwilling to overstate the case.
Marks of minor magnitude may have existed — marks between
different members of the same stock ; between, for instance,
the Oatti and Cherusci, the Cherusci and Chauci, &c. This,
again, is what we find at home. The Welsh marches sepa-
rated the Saxon from the Kelt : the Scottish, the southron
Saxon from the northern. Still I think that the existence of
a march, sufficiently important to be mentioned by the Roman
historians, is prima facie evidence of the existence of an
ethnological difference of considerable magnitude.
3. The third is the linear character of the dimensions of a
march. A boundary which separates one area from another
is surely narrower than either of the areas which it separates.
A march as broad as it is long is no march at all. To this,
however, there is an objection. One nation may so encroach
upon another that the march, or line of boundaries, is con-
tinually advancing. Now if the name be retained whilst the
line becomes protruded, the breadth of a march may become
as notable as its length. Thus, if the North American
settlers had called each county which abutted on the Indian
frontier the march, and if those counties had retained their
names, there would now be a series of areas, so named,
reaching from the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains. And
this is really the case in Germany, where we have the oldest
line of frontier between the Slavonians and Germans, called
Alt-mark (the old march) ; the next, Mittel-mark (the middle
march) ; and the third, Ucker-mark the march of the Ucrii
(a Slavonic population so-called).
4. There is also another element of uncertainty. Suppose
the Humber was called the river March. The people on it
might be called Marchmen, though not on a march. In such
a case, certain Yorkshiremen would appear to form the fron-
tier, when, really, they did not do so. By this, the writer
who argued from the name only would imagine that the
non-English area began at Hull instead of at Roxburgh ;
and the English area would lose all Yorkshire, Durham, and
Northumberland.
Now, reverse this supposition, and let the Spey be called
the March. In this case, the men on its banks would appear
hi THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
to form the frontier, when, really, it was on the Tweed. By
this, the writer, who argued from the name only, would ima-
gine that the non-English area was at Cromarty instead of
Roxburgh, and the English area would lose all Fife, Aber-
deen, and the Lothians.
Now Metros, a word not unlike March, is the name of the
river of Moravia, and Moravia is in the neighbourhood of the
Marc-o-manni.
Notwithstanding these objections, I shall use the term
Marc-o-manni as an instrument of criticism, and (to antici-
pate) Bohemia is the country in which it will most especially
be applied.
§ XVlll. IRREGULARITY OF SIZE OF ETHNOLOGICAL AHEAP.
It is probable that I may appear too careless about the
size I give to certain ethnological areas, e.g., the Frisian, the
Slavonic, and others ; so as to look like a writer who finds
his Frisians, his Slavonians, or his any other equally-favoured
nation everywhere.
To anticipate this, I remark, that not only are large areas
— areas far larger than any given to any population in the
following pages — the commonest of ethnological phenomena,
but that they generally stand in the neighbourhood of small
ones; so that the contrast between a multiplicity of ethno-
logical differences within a small area, and great ethnological
uniformity over a large one, is the normal condition of the
world. Thus —
a. In Asia — the vast Turk, Mongol, Chinese, and Persian
areas, are contrasted with the small ones of the Caucasian,
Himalayan, and Siberian populations.
b. In Africa — the Berber and KafFre are similarly great ;
the Felup, Sapi, Nalu, &c, similarly small.
c. In America — the Eskimo, Athabaskans, Algonkins, and
Guarani take up half of the continent. On the lower Missis-
sippi there are eight or ten mutually unintelligible tongues
within an area the size of Yorkshire.
PROLEGOMENA. lvii
§ xix. Cesar's notices of the Germans.
Of so much more importance than the remarks of all other
writers upon Germany are those of Caesar, that the chief
extracts from the Bellum Gallicum bearing upon that country
will be given in extenso. They require, however, certain
preliminary remarks.
First comes the distinction between what Caesar observed
for himself and what he learned from others. Of these latter,
his chief informants were Gauls, and chief amongst the Gauls,
most probably, Divitiacus the JEduan. The parts of Ger-
many which an .ZEduan would best understand would be
those of the Middle Rhine — Hesse, Franconia, and the
northern parts of Suabia. The name by which these Ger-
mans were known was Suevi.
Another point to notice, is the likelihood of the Germans
thus described having spoken Gallic to the Gauls, instead of
the Gauls having learned German : inasmuch as there is the
special statement that Ariovistus spoke the language of the
country he had invaded ; and that it was in Gallic that he
made himself intelligible to the Romans. There is no evi-
dence of any Gaul speaking German.
Hence, it will not be surprising if many of the names in
Caesar are as little German as the name Welsh is Cambrian.
Without, at present, saying how far such is the case, it is
enough to remark that, amongst the German populations of
Caesar, there is only one whereof the name is unequivocally
German, as tested by its structure and etymology. This
word is 3farcomanni = Marchmen, or men of the boundaries.
Of the Germans of Ariovistus, Caesar's knowledge was
personal ; but these were intrusive emigrants rather than
true Germans, i.e., Germans in a Gallic locality, and (proba-
bly for that reason) partially Gallicised. The Germans for
the parts between Bonn and Nimeguen, were also similarly
known.
Lastly, he speaks from his study of previous writers,
quoting Eratosthenes for the extent and name of the
Hercynian forest.
lviii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
That Oa?sar was the chief first-hand authority for the
main details concerning early Germany, is evident; at the
same time it is not in Ceesar that the classification into
Inga?vones, Istsevones, &c, is to be found. Neither is it in
Caesar that the parts which were not visited until after his
time are described. The broad distinction between Ganl and
German is his ; the Gaul being taken as the type.
The extent to which the names in Ca?sar differ from
those of Tacitus creates certain slight difficulties. His no-
mention of the Catti is a most remarkable instance of this.
That Caesar's names are chiefly Gallic, whilst Tacitus's are
Germanic, is, in the mind of the present writer, the chief
explanation here.
The greatest difficulty lies in the second and third ex-
tracts, wherein certain Belgian populations are made Ger-
man. I can only reconcile this with the great preponderance
of evidence in favour of the Belga? being Gauls, by consider-
ing the term Belgic in the book of Caesar to be political
rather than ethnological ; in other words, to denote a con-
federation rather than a homogeneous nation. At the same
time we may admit both intermixture * and intrusion.
These preliminaries precede the following extracts ; the
criticism of which will find its place in different parts of the
body of the book.
CJ&8. BELL. GALL. I.
XXX. Bello Helvetiorum confecto, totius fere Gallia?
legati, principes civitatum, ad Cassarem gratulatum conve-
uerunt : " intelligere sese, tametsi, pro veteribus Helvetiorum
injuriis populi Romani, ab iis pcenas bello repetisset, tamen
earn rem non minus ex usu terra? Gallia?, quam populi Ro-
mani accidisse , propterea quod eo consilio florentissimis rebus
domos suas Helvetii reliquissent, uti toti Gallia? bellum in-
ferrent, imperioque potirentur, locumque domicilio ex magna
copia deligerent, quern ex omni Gallia opportunissimum ac
fructuosissimum judicassent, reliquasque civitates stipen-
diarias haberent.' n Petierunt, " uti sibi concilium totius Gallia?
in diem certam indicere, idque Ca?«aris voluntate facere
* See Epilegomena, § on the Quasi-Germanic populations.
PROLEGOMENA. lix
liceret : sese habere quasdam res, quas ex communi consensu
ab eo petere vellent." Ea re permissa, diem concilio con-
stituerunt et jurejurando, ne quis enunciaret, nisi quibus
communi consilio man datum esset, inter se sanxerunt.
XXXI. Eo concilio dimisso, iidem principes civitatum,
qui ante fuerant ad Ceesarem, reverterunt petieruntque,
uti sibi secreto in occulto de sua omniumque salute cum eo
agere liceret. Ea re impetrata, sese omnes flentes Caesari ad
pedes projecerunt : " non minus se id contendere et laborare,
ne ea, quae dixissent, enunciarentur, quam uti ea, quae vellent,
impetrarent, propterea quod, si enunciatum esset, summum
in cruciatum se venturos viderent.'" Locutus est pro his
Divitiacus iEduus : " Gallise totius factiones esse duas ;
harum alterius principatum tenere iEduos, alterius Arvernos.
Hi quum tantopere de potentatu inter se multos annos conten-
derent, factum esse, uti ab Arvernis Sequanisque Germani
mercede arcesserentur. Horum primo circiter millia xv.
E-henum transisse : posteaquam agros et cultum et eopias
Gallorum homines feri ac barbari adamassent, transductos
plures ; nunc esse in Gallia ad c. et xx. millium numerum :
cum his iEduos eorumque clientes semel atque iterum armis
contendisse : magnam calamitatem pulsos accepisse, omnem
nobilitatem, omnem senatum, omnem equitatum amisisse.
Quibus proeliis calamitatibusque fractos, qui et sua virtute, et
populi Romani hospitio atque amicitia plurimum ante in
Gallia potuissent, coactos esse Sequanis obsides dare, nobi-
lissimos civitatis, et jurejurando civitatem obstringere, sese
neque obsides repetituros, neque auxilium a populo Romano
imploraturos, neque recusaturos, quo minus perpetuo sub
illorum ditione atque imperio essent. Unum se esse ex omni
civitate iEduorum, qui adduci non potuerit, ut juraret, aut
liberos suos obsides daret. Ob earn rem se ex civitate pro-
fugisse et Romam ad senatum venisse, auxilium postulatum,
quod solus neque jurejurando neque obsidibus teneretur. Sed
pejus victoribus Sequanis, quam iEduis victis, accidisse, prop-
terea quod Ariovistus, rex Germanorum, in eorum finibus
consedisset tertiamque partem agri Sequani, qui esset optimus
totius Gallise, occupavisset et nunc de altera parte tertia
Sequanos decedere juberet, propterea quod paucis mensibus
lx THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
ante Harudum* millia homiiuim xxiv. ad eum veuissent,
quibus locus ac secies pararentur. Futurum esse paucis
annis, uti omnes ex Gallia) finibus pellerentur atque omnes
Germani Rhenum transirent : neque enim conferendum esse
Gallicum cum Gerinanorum agro, neque hauc consuetudiuem
victus cum ilia comparandam. Ariovistum autem, ut semel
Gallorum copias prcelio vicerit, quod prcelium factum sit ad
Magetobriam, superbe et crudeliter imperare, obsides nobi-
lissimi cujusque liberos poscere et iu eos omnia exempla
cruciatusque edere, si qua res non ad nutum aut ad volun-
tatem ejus facta sit : bominem esse barbarum, iracundum,
temerarium : non posse ejus imperia diutius sustineri. Nisi si
quid in Csesare populoque Romano sit auxilii, omnibus Gallis
idem esse faciundum, quod Helvetii fecerint, ut domo
emigrent, aliud domicilium, alias sedes, remotas a Germaiiis
petant fortunamque, quaacumque accidat, experiantur. Hajc
si enuiiciata Ariovisto sint, non dubitare, quin de omnibus
obsidibus, qui apud eum sint, gravissimum supplicium sumat.
Csesarem vel auctoritate sua atque exercitus, vel recenti
victoria, vel nomine populi Romani deterrere posse, ne major
multitudo Germanorum Rbenum transducatur ; Galliamque
omnem ab Ariovisti injuria posse defendere. 11
XXXII. Hac oratione ab Divitiaco habito, omnes, qui
aderant, magno fletu auxilium a Cajsare petere cceperunt.
Animadvertit Caesar, unos ex omnibus Sequanos nihil earurn
rerum facere, quas ceteri facerent, sed tristes, capite demisso,
terram intueri. Ejus rei caussa quae esset miratus ex ipsis
quaesiit. Nihil Sequani respondere, sed in eadem tristitia
taciti permanere. Quum ab iis ssepius queereret, neque ullam
omiiino vocem exprimere posset, idem Divitiacus iEduus
respondit : " Hoc esse miseriorem gravioremque fort imam
Sequanorum prae reliquorum, quod soli ne in occulto quidem
queri, neque auxilium implorare auderent, absentisque Ario-
visti crudelitatem, velut si coram adesset, horrerent : prop-
terea quod reliquis tamen fugse facultas daretur ; Sequanis
vero, qui intra fines suos Ariovistum recepissent, quorum
oppida omnia in potestate ejus essent, omnes cruciatus essent
perferendi. 11
* When a name is printed in Italics, it will be noticed in the Epikgumena ,
PROLEGOMENA. Ixi
XXXIII. His rebus cognitis, Csesar Gallorum animos
verbis confirmavit, pollicitusque est, sibi earn rem curse
futuram : magnam se habere spem, et beneficio suo, et auc-
toritate adductum Ariovistum finem injuriis facturum. Hac
oratione habita, concilium dimisit, et secundum ea multee res
eum hortabantur, quare sibi rem cogitandam et suscipiendam
putaret ; imprimis quod iEduos, fratres consanguineosque
ssepenumero a senatu adpellatos, in servitute atque in ditione
videbat Germanorum teneri, eorumque obsides esse apud
Ariovistum ac Sequanos intelligebat : quod in tanto imperio
populi Romani turpissimum sibi et reipublicse esse arbitra-
batur. Paullatim autem Germanos consuescere Rhenum
transire ; et in Galliam magnam eorum multitudinem venire,
populo Romano periculosum videbat : neque sibi homines
feros ac barbaros, temperaturos existimabat, quin, quum
omnem Galliam occupassent, ut ante Cimbri Teutonique
fecissent, in provinciam exirent atque inde in Italiam conten-
derent ; praesertim quum Sequanos a provincia nostra Rhoda-
nus divideret. Quibus rebus quam maturime occurrendum
putabat. Ipse autem Ariovistus tantos sibi spiritus, tantam
adrogantiam sumserat, ut ferendus non videretur.
XXXIV. Quamobrem placuit ei, ut ad Ariovistum
legatos mitteret, qui ab eo postularent, uti aliquem locum
medium utriusque colloquio diceret ; velle sese de republica
et summis utriusque rebus cum eo agere. Ei legationi Ario-
vistus respondit : " Si quid ipsi a Csesare opus esset, sese ad
eum venturum fuisse ; si quid ille se velit, ilium ad se venire
oportere. Prseterea se neque sine exercitu in eas partes
Galliee venire audere, quas Caesar possideret ; neque exercitum
sine magno commeatu atque emolimento in unum locum
contrahere posse : sibi autem mirum videri, quid in sua
Gallia, quam bello vicisset, aut Csesari, aut omnino populo
Romano negotii esset."
XXXV. His responsis ad Csesarem relatis, iterum ad
eum Caesar legatos cum his mandatis mittit : " Quoniam tanto
suo populique Romani beneficio adfectus, quum in consulatu
suo rex atque amicus a senatu adpellatus esset, hanc sibi
populoque Romano gratiam referret, ut in colloquium venire
invitatus gravaretur, neque de communi re dicendum sibi et
Ixii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
cognoscendum putaret ; haec esse, quae ab eo postulavet ;
primum, ne quam hominum multitiulinem amplius trans
Rhenum in Galliam transduceret : deinde obsides, quos
haberet ab iEduis, redderet Sequanisque permitteret, ut, quos
illi haberent, voluntate ejus reddere illis liceret ; neve iEduos
injuria lacesseret, neve his sociisve coram bellum inferret : si
id ita fecissit, sibi populoque Romano perpetuam gratiam
atque amicitiam cum eo futuram : si non impetraret, sese,
quoniam M. Messala, M. Pisone Coss. senatus censuisset, uti,
quicumque Galliam provinciam obtineret, quod commodo
reipublicae facere posset, iEduos ceterosque amicos populi Ro-
mani defenderet, sese iEduorum injurias non neglecturam. 1,
XXXVI. Ad hrcc Ariovistus respondit : "Jus esse
belli, ut, qui vicissent, iis, quos vicissent, quemadmodum
vellent, imperarent : item populum Romanum victis non ad
alterius praescriptum, sed ad suum arbitrium imperare con-
suesse. Si ipse populo Romano non prsescriberet, quemad-
modum suo jure uterctur ; non oportere sese a populo
Romano in suo jure impediri. iEduos sibi, quoniam belli
tbrtunam tentassent et armis congressi ac superati essent,
stipendiaries esse fhctos. Magnam Csesarem injuriam facere,
qui suo adventu vectigalia sibi deteriora faceret. iEduis se
obsides redditurum non esse, neque iis, neque eorum sociis
injuria bellum illaturum, si in eo manerent, quod convenisset,
stipendiumque quotaunis penderent ; si id ncn fecissent,
longe iis fraternum nomen populi Romani afuturum. Quod
sibi Caesar denunciaret, se iEduorum injurias non neglecturum ;
neminem secum sine sua pernicie contendisse. Quum vellet,
congrederetur ; intellecturum, quid invicti Germani exercita-
tissimi in armis, qui inter annos quatuordecim tectum non
subissent virtute possent."
XXXVII. Hsee eodem tempore Csesari mandata refere-
bantur, et legati ab iEduis et a Treviris veniebant : iEdui
questum, quod Harudes, qui nuper in Galliam transportati
essent, fines eorum popularentur ; sese ne obsidibus quidem
datis pacem Ariovisti redimere potuisse : Treviri autem,
pagos centum Suevorum ad ripas Rheni consedisse, qui
Rhenum transire conarentur ; iis prseesse Nasuam et Cim-
berium fratres. Quibus rebus Csesar vehementer commotus,
PROLEGOMENA. lxiii
maturandum sibi existimavit, ne, si nova manus Suevorum
cum veteribus copiis Ariovisti sese conjunxisset, minus facile
resisti posset. Itaque re frumentaria, quam celerrime potuit,
comparata, magnis itineribus ad Ariovistum contendit.
XXXVIII. Quum tridui viam processisset, nunciatum
est ei, Ariovistum cum suis omnibus copiis ad occupandum
Vesontionem, quod est oppidum maximum Sequanorum, con-
tendere, triduique viam a suis finibus processisse. Id ne acci-
deret, magno opere sibi prsecavendum Caesar existimabat :
namque omnium rerum, quse ad bellum usui erant, summa
erat in eo oppido facultas ; idque 'natura loci sic muniebatur,
ut magnam ad ducendum bellum daret facultatem, propterea
quod flumen Dubis, ut circino, circumductum, pame totum
oppidum cingit : reliquum spatium, quod est non amplius
pedum dc, qua flumen intermittit, mons continet magna
altitudine, ita ut radices montis ex utraque parte ripa? flumi-
nis contingant. Hunc murus circumdatus arcem efficit et cum
oppido conjungit. Hue Csesar magnis nocturnis diurnisque
itineribus contendit, occupatoque oppido, ibi prsesidium collocat.
XXXIX. Dum paucos dies ad Vesontionem rei fru-
nientarige commeatusque caussa moratur, ex percunctatione
nostrorum vocibusque Gallorum ac mercatorum, qui ingenti
magnitudine corporum Germanos, incredibili virtute atque
exercitatione in armis esse praedicabant, ssepenumero sese
cum eis congressos ne vultum quidem atque aciem oculorum
ferre potuisse, tantus subito timor omnem exercitum occupavit,
ut non mediocriter omnium mentes animosque perturbaret.
Hie primum ortus est atribunis militum, praefectis reliquisque,
qui, ex urbe aniicitise caussa Csesarem secuti, non magnum in
re militari usum habebant : quorum alius, alia caussa illata,
quam sibi ad proficiscendum necessariam esse dicerent, pete-
bant, ut ejus voluntate discedere liceret : nonnulli, pudore
adducti, ut timoris suspicionem vitarent, remanebant. Hi
neque vultum fingere, neque interdum lacrimas tenere pote-
rant : abditi in tabernaculis aut suum fatum querebantur, aut
cum familiaribus suis commune periculum miserabantur.
Vulgo totis castris testamenta obsignabantur. Horum voci-
bus ac timore paullatim etiam ii, qui magnum in castris usum
habebant, milites centurionesque, quique equitatu praeerant,
Ixiv THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
perturbabantur. Qui sc ex his minus timidos existimari
volebant, non se hostcm vereri, sod angustias itineris ct
magnitudinera silvarum, qure intercederent inter ipsos atque
Aviovistum, aut rem frumentariam, ut satis commode suppor-
tari posset, timere dicebant. Nonnulli etiam Cajsari renun-
ciabant, quum castra moveri ac signa ferri jussisset, non fore
dieto audientes milites, neque propter timorem signa laturos.
XL. Haec quum animadvertisset, convocato consilio,
omniumque ordinnm ad id consilium adhibitis centurionibus,
vehementer cos incusavit : 'primum, quod, aut quam in
partem, aut quo concilio dueerentur, sibi quserendnm aut
cogitandum putarent. Ariovistum, se consule, cupidissime
populi Romani amicitiam adpetisse; cur hunc tarn temere
quisquam ab officio discessurum judicaret ? Sibi quidem per-
suaderi, cognitis suis postulatis atque sequitate conditionum
perspecta, cum neque suam, neque populi Romani gratiam
repudiaturum. Quod si furore atque amentia impulsus bellum
intulisset, quid tandem vererentur ? aut cur de sua virtute,
aut de ipsiua diligentia desperarent ? Factum ejus bostis
periculum patrum nostrorum memoria, quum, Oimbris et
Teutonis a C. Mario pulsis, non minorem laudem exercitus,
quam ipse imperator, meritus videbatur : factum etiam nuper
in Italia servili tumultu, quos tamen aliquid usus ac disciplina
quam a nobis accepissent, sublevarent. Ex quo judicari
posset, quantum baberet in se boni constantia ; propterea
quod, quos aliquamdiu inermos sine caussa timuissent, hos
postea armatos ac victores superassent. Denique hos esse
eosdem, quibuscum ssepenumero Helvetii congressi, non solum
in suis, sed etiam in illorum finibus, plerumque superarint, qui
tamen pares esse nostro exercitui non potuerint. Si quos
adversum proelium et fuga Gallorum commoveret, hos, si
quaererent, reperire posse, diuturnitate belli defatigatis Gallis,
Ariovistum, quum multos menses castris se ac paludibus
tenuisset, neque sui potestatem fecisset, desperantes jam de
pugna et dispersos subito adortum, magis ratione et consilio,
quam virtute, vicisse. Cui rationi contra homines barbaros
atque imperitos locus fuisset, hac ne ipsum quidem sperare
nostros exercitus capi posse. Qui suum timorem in rei fru-
mentarise simulationem angustiasque itinerum conferrent,
PROLEGOMENA. Ixv
facere adroganter, quum aut de officio imperatoris desperare
aut prsescribere viderentur. Hsec sibi esse curse ; frumentum
Sequanos, Leucos, Lingonas snbministrare ; jamque esse in
agris frumenta matura ; de itinere ipsos brevi tempore judi-
catures. Quod non fore dicto audieutes milites, neque signa
laturi dicantur, nihil se ea re commoveri : scire enim, quibus-
cumque exercitus dicto audiens non fuerit, aut, male re gesta,
fortuuam defuisse ; aut, aliquo facinore comperto, avaritiam
esse convictam. Suam innocentiam perpetua vita, felicitatem
Helvetiorum bello esse perspectam. Itaque se, quod in lon-
giorem diem collaturus esset, reprsesentaturum et proxima
nocte de quarta vigilia castra moturum, ut quam primum
intelligere posset, utrum apud eos pudor atque officium, an.
timor valeret. Quod si preeterea nemo sequatur, tamen se
cum sola decima legione iturum, de qua non dubitaret ; sibi-
que earn preetoriarn cohortem futuram.'" Huic legioni Osesar
et indulserat prascipue, et propter virtutem confidebat
maxime.
XLI. Hac oratione liabita, mirum in modum conversse
sunt omnium mentes, summaque alacritas et cupiditas belli
gerendi innata est, princepsque decima legio per tribunos
militum ei gratias egit, quod de se optimum judicium fecisset,
seque esse ad bellum gerendum paratissimam confirmavit.
Deinde reliquse legiones per tribunos militum et primorum
ordinum centuriones egerunt, uti Csesari satisfacerent : se
neque umquam dubitasse, neque timuisse, neque de summa
belli suum judicium, sed imperatoris esse, existimavisse.
Eorum satisfactione accepta et itinere exquisito per Divitia-
cum, quod ex aliis ei maximam fidem habebat, ut millium
amplius quinquaginta circuitu locis apertis exercitum duceret
de quarta vigilia, ut dixerat, profectus est. Septimo die,
quum iter non intermitteret, ab exploratoribus certior factus
est, Ariovisti copias a nostris millibus passuum quatuor et
viginti abesse.
XLII. Cognito Csesaris adventu, Ariovistus legatos ad
eum mittit : quod antea de colloquio postulasset, id per se
fieri licere, quoniam propius accessisset : seque id sine peri-
culo facere posse existimare. Non respuit conditionem
Ca3sar : jamque eum ad sanitatem reverti arbitrabatur,
/
Ixvi THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
quum id, quod antea petenti denegasset, ultro polliceretur;
magnamque in spem veniebat, pro suis tantis populique
Romani in cum beneficiis, cognitis suis postulatis, fore, uti
pertinacia desisteret. Dies colloquio dictus est, ex eo die
quintus. Interim quum ssepe ultro citroque legati inter eos
mitterentur, Ariovistus postulavit, ne quern peditem ad col-
loquium Csesar addueeret : vereri se, ne per insidias ab eo
circumveniretur : uterque cum equitatu veniret ; alia ratione
se non esse venturum. Csesar, quod neque colloquium inter-
posita caussa tolli volebat, neque salutem suam Gallorum
equitatui committere audebat, commodissimum esse statuit,
omnibus equis Gallis equitibus detractis, eo legionarios milites
legionis decimae, cui quam maxime confidebat, imponere, ut
presidium quam amicissimum, si quod opus facto esset,
haberet. Quod quum fieret, non irridicule quidam ex mili-
tibus decimse legionis dixit: "plus, quam pollicitus esset,
Caesarem ei facere : pollicitum, se in coliortis prsctoria? loco
decimam legionem habiturum, nunc ad equum rescribere. 1 '
XLIII. Planicies or.it magna, et in ea tumulus terrenus
satis grandis. Hie locus requo fere spatio ab castris utrisque
aberat. Eo, ut erat dictum, ad colloquium venerunt. Le-
gionem Ctesar, quam equis devexerat, passibus ducentis ab
eo tumulo constituit. Item equites Ariovisti pari intervallo
■constiterunt. Ariovistus, ex equis et colloquerentur et,
pra?ter se, denos ut ad colloquium adducerent, postulavit.
Ubi eo ventum est, Oassar initio orationis sua senatusque
in eum beneficia commemoravit, " quod rex adpellatus esset
a senatu, quod amicus, quod munera amplissima missa :
quam rem et paucis contigisse, et pro magnis hominum
officiis consuesse tribui " docebat : " ilium, quum neque adi-
tum, neque caussam postulandi justam haberet, beneficio ac
liberalitate sua ac senatus ea prsemia consecutum." Docebat
etiam, " quam veteres, quamque justse caussse necessitudinis
ipsis cum iEduis intercederent, qua? senatus consulta, quoties,
quamque honorifica in eos facta essent : ut omni tempore
totius Gallia? principatum .ZEdui tenuisent, prius etiam, quam
nostram amicitiam adpetissent ; populi Romani hanc esse
consuetudinem, ut socios atque amicos non modo sui nihil
deperdere, sed gratia, dignitate, bonore auctiores velit esse:
PROLEGOMENA. Ixvii
quod vero ad amicitiam populi Romani adtulissent, id iis
eripi, quis pati posset ? " Postulavit deinde eadem, quse
legatis in mandatis dederat, " ne aut iEduis, aut eorum sociis
bellura inferret ; obsides redderet ; si nullain partem Ger-
manorum domum remittere posset, at ne quos amplius
Rhenum transire pateretur."
XLIV. Ariovistus ad postulata Caesaris pauca respondit:
de suis virtutibus multa prsedicavit : " Transisse Rhenum
sese, non sua sponte, sed rogatuni et arcessitum a Gailis ;
non sine magna spe magnisque praemiis domum propinquos-
que reliquisse ; sedes habere in Gallia, ab ipsis concessas ;
obsides ipsorum voluntate datos ; stipendium capere jure belli
quod victores victis imponere consuerint ; non sese Gailis, sed
Gallos sibi bellum intulisse ; omnes Gallia? civitates ad se
oppugnandum venisse, ac contra se castra habuisse ; eas
omnes copias a se uno prcelio fusas ac superatas esse ; si
iterum experiri velint, iterum paratum sese decertare ; si pace
uti velint, iniquum esse, de stipendio recusare, quod sua
voluntate ad id teinpus dependerint. Amicitiam populi
Romani sibi ornamento et preesidio, non detrimento, esse
oportere, idque se ea spe petisse. Si per populum Romanum
stipendium remittatur et dedititii subtrahantur, non minus
libenter sese recusaturum populi Romani amicitiam, quam
adpetierit. Quod multitudinem Germanorum in Galliam
transducat, id se sui muniendi, non Gallise impugnandce
caussa facere : ejus rei testimonium esse, quod, nisi rogatus,
non venerit, et quod bellum non intulerit, sed defenderit. Se
prius in Galliam venisse, quam populum Romanum. JVum-
quam ante hoc tempus exercitum populi Romani Galliee pro-
vincial fines egressum. Quid sibi vellet I Cur in suas
possessiones veniret 1 Provinciam suam hanc esse Galliam,
sicut illam nostram. Ut ipsi concedi non oporteret, si in
nostros fines impetum faceret : sic item nos esse iniquos, qui
in suo jure se interpellaremus. Quod fratres a senatu iEduos
adpellatos diceret, non se tarn barbarum, neque tarn im-
peritum esse rerum, ut non sciret, neque bello Allobrogum
proximo ^Eduos Romanis auxilium tulisse, neque ipsos in his
contentionibus, quas .ZEdui secum et cum Sequanis habuis-
sent, auxilio populi Romani usos esse. Debere se suspicari,
/2
lxviii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
simulata Csesarem amicitia, quod exercitum in Gallia
habeat, sui opprimendi caussa habere. Qui nisi decedat
atque exercitum deducat ex his regionibus, sese ilium non
pro amico, sed pro hoste habiturum : quod si eum inter-
fecerit, multis sese nobilibus principibusque populi Romani
gratum esse faeturum : id se ab ipsis per eorum nuncios
compertum habere, quorum omnium gratiam atque amici-
tiam ejus morte redimere posset. Quod si decessisset et
liberam possessionem Galliae sibi tradidisset, magno se
ilium pmeinio remuneraturum et, qiuecurnque bella geri vellet,
sine ullo ejus labore et periculo confecturum."
XLV. Multa ab Caesare in earn sententiam dicta sunt,
quare negotio desistere non posset, et " neque suam, neque
populi Romani consuetudinem pati, uti optime meritos socios
desereret : neque se judicare, Galliam potius esse Ariovisti,
quam populi Romani. Bcllo superatos esse Arvernos et Rutenos
ab Q. Fabio Maximo, quibus populus Romanus ignovisset,
neque in provinciam redegisset, neque stipendium imposuisset.
Quod si antiquissimum quodque tempus spectari oporteret,
populi Romani justissimum esse in Gallia imperium : si judi-
cium senatus observari oporteret, liberam debere esse Galliam,
quam bello victam suis legibus uti voluisset. 1 '
XL VI. Dam hsec in colloquio geruntur, Csesari nun-
ciatum est, equites Ariovisti propius tumulum accedere et
ad nostros adequitare, lapides telaque in nostros conjicere.
Caesar loquendi finem fecit seque ad suos recepit suisque im-
peravit, ne quod omnino telum in hostes rejicerent. Nam
etsi sine ullo periculo legionis delectse cum equitatu proelium
fore videbat ; tamen committendum non putabat, ut, pulsis
hostibus, dici posset, eos ab se per fidem in colloquio circum-
ventos. Posteaquam in vulgus militum elatum est, qua
adrogantia in colloquio Ariovistus usus omni Gallia Romanis
interdixisset, impetumque in nostros ejus equitis fecissent
eaque res colloquium ut diremisset : multo major alacritas
studiumque pugnandi majus exercitu injectum est.
XLVII. Biduo post Ariovistus ad Csesarem legatos
mittit, velle se de his rebus, quae inter eos agi coeptae, neque
perfectse essent, agere cum eo: uti aut iterum colloquio diem
constitueret ; aut, si id minus vellet, ex suis legatis aliquem
PROLEGOMENA. Jxix
ad se mitteret. Colloquendi Caesari caussa visa non est, et
eo magis, quod pridie ejus diei Germani retineri non poterant,
quin in nostros tela conjicerent. Legatum ex suis sese magno
cum periculo ad eum missurum, et hominibus feris objec-
turum existimabat. Commodissimum visum est, 0. Va-
lerium Procillum, C. Valerii Caburi filium, summa virtute et
humanitate adoleseentem (eujus pater a 0. Valerio Flacco
eivitate donatus erat), et propter fidem, et propter linguae
Gallicae scientiam, qua multa jam Ariovistus longinqua con-
suetucline utebatur, et quod in eo peccandi Germanis caussa
non esset, ad eum mittere, et M. Mettium, qui hospitio
Ariovisti usus erat. His mandavit, ut, qua? diceret Ariovistus,
cognoscerent et ad se referrent. Quos quum apud se in
castris Ariovistus conspexisset, exercitu suo praesente, con-
clamavit : " Quid ad se venirent ? An speculandi caussa \ "
Oonantis dicere prohibuit et in catenas conjecit.
XLVIII. Eodem die castra promovit et millibus pas-
suum sex a Caesaris castris sub monte consedit. Postridie
ejus diei prseter castra Csesaris suas copias transduxit et
millibus passuum duobus ultra eum castra fecit, eo consilio,
uti frumento commeatuque, qui ex Sequanis et iEduis sup-
portaretur, Caesareni intercluderet. Ex eo die dies continuos
quinque Caesar pro castris suas copias produxit et aciem
instructam liabuit, ut, si vellet Ariovistus proelio contendere,
ei potestas non deesset. Ariovistus his omnibus diebus exer-
citum castris continuit ; equestri proelio quotidie contendit.
Genus hoc erat pugnae, quo se Germani exercuerant. Equitum
millia erant sex : totidem numero pedites velocissimi ac
fortissimi ; quos ex omni copia singuli singulos, suae salutis
caussa, delegerant. Cum his in proeliis versabantur, ad hos
se equites recipiebant : hi, si quid erat durius, concurrebant :
si qui, graviore vulnere accepto, equo deciderat, circumsiste-
bant : si quo erat longius prodeundum, aut celerius recipi-
endum, tanta erat horum exercitatione celeritas, ut, jubis
equorum sublevati, cursum adaequarent.
XLIX. Ubi eum castris se tenere Caesar intellexit, ne
diutius commeatu prohiberetur, ultra eum locum, quo in
loco Germani consederant, circiter passus sexcentos ab eis,
castris idoneum locum delegit, acieque triplici instructa, ad
1XX THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
eum locum venit. Priraam et secundum aciem in armis esse,
tertiam castra munire jussit. Hie locus ab hoste circiter
passus sexcentos, uti dictum est, aberat. Eo circiter hominum
numero xvi. millia expedita cum omni equitatu Ariovistus
misit, quae copiae nostros perterrerent et munitione prohiberent.
Nihilo sccius Caesar, ut ante constituerat, duas acies hostera
propulsare, tertiam opus perficere jussit. Munitis castris,
duas ibi legiones reliquit et partem auxiliorum ; quatuor reli-
quas in castra majora reduxit.
L. Proximo die, instituto suo, Caesar e castris utrisque
copias suas eduxit ; paullumque a majoribus progressus
aciem instruxit hostibusque pugnandi potestatem fecit. Ubi
ne turn quidem eos prodire intellexit, circiter meridiem exer-
citum in castra reduxit. Turn demum Ariovistus parjem
suarum copiarum, quae castra minora oppugnaret, misit :
acriter utrimque usque ad vesperum pugnatum est. Solis
occasu suas copias Ariovistus, multis et illatis et acceptis
vulneribus, in castra reduxit. Quum ex captivis quaereret
quam ob rem Ariovistus proclio non decertaret ; hanc
reperiebat caussam, quod apud Germanos ea consuetude esset,
ut matres familiae eorum sortibus et vaticinationibus declara-
rent, utrum proelium committi ex usu esset, nee ne : eas ita
dicere : " Non esse fas, Germanos superare, si ante novam
lunam praelio contendissent."
LI. Postridie ejus diei Caesar preesidio utrisque castris,
quod satis esse visum est, reliquit, omnis alarios in conspectu
bostium pro castris minoribus constituit, quod minus multi-
tudine militum legionariorum pro hostium numero valebat,
ut ad speciem alariis uteretur. Ipse, triplici instructa acie,
usque ad castra liostium accessit. Turn demum necessario
Germani suas copias castris eduxerunt, generatimque con-
stituerunt paribusque inter vail is Harudes, Marcomannos, Tri-
boccos, Vangiones, Nemetes, Sedusios, Suevos, omnemque
aciem suam rhedis et carris circamdederunt, ne qua spes in
fuga relinqueretur. Eo mulieres imposuerunt, quae in proelium
proficiscentes milites passis crinibus flentes implorabant, ne se
in servitutem Romanis traderent.
LII. Caesar singulis legionibus singulos legatos et quaes-
torem praefecit, uti eos testis suae quisque virtutis haberet.
PROLEGOMENA. Ixxi
Ipse a dextro cornu, quod earn partem minime firmam hostium
esse animum adverteret, proelium commisit. Ita nostri acriter
in liostes, signo dato, impetum fecerunt itaque hostes repente
celeriterque procurrerunt, ut spatium pila in hostes conjiciendi
non daretur. Rejectis pilis, comminus gladiis pugnatum
est : at Germani, celeriter ex consuetudine sua phalange facta,
impetus gladiorum exceperunt. Reperti sunt complures
nostri milites, qui in phalangas insilirent et scuta manibus
revellerent et desuper vulnerarent. Quum hostium acies a
sinistro cornu pulsa atque in fugam conversa esset, a dextro
cornu vehementer multitudine suorum nostram aciem preme-
bant. Id quum animadvertisset P. Crassus adolescens, qui
equitatu preeerat, quod expeditior erat, quam hi, qui inter
aciem versabantur, tertiam aciem laborantibus nostris subsidio
misit.
LIII. Ita proelium restitutum est, atque omnes hostes
terga verterunt, neque prius fugere destiterunt, quam ad
flumen Rhenum millia passuum ex eo loco circiter quinqua-
ginta pervenerunt. Ibi perpauci aut viribus confisi transnatare
contenderunt, aut lintribus inventis sibi salutem repererunt.
In his fuit Ariovistus, qui, naviculam deligatam ad ripam
nactus, ea profugit : reliquos omnes consecuti equites nostri
interfecerunt. Duse fuerunt Ariovisti uxores, una Sueva
natione, quam ab domo secum eduxerat ; altera JNorica, regis
Yocionis soror, quam in Gallia duxerat, a fratre missam :
utrseque in ea fuga perierunt. Duse filise harum, altera oc-
cisa, altera capta est. 0. Valerius Procillus, quum a custo-
dibus in fuga trinis catenis vinctus traheretur, in ipsum
Caesarem, hostis equitatu persequentem, incidit. Qua? quidem
res Csesari non minorem, quam ipsa victoria, voluptatem
adtulit, quod hominem honestissimum provincial Galliae, suum
familiarem et hospitem, ereptum e manibus hostium, sibi
restitutum videbat, neque ejus calamitate de tanta voluptate
et gratulatione quidquam fortuna deminuerat. Is, se praesente,
de se ter sortibus consultum dicebat, utrum igni statim neca-
retur, an in aliud tempus reservaretur ; sortium beneficio se
esse incolumem. Item M. Mettius repertus et ad eum
reductus est.
LIV. Hoc prcelio trans Rhenum nunciato, Suevi, qui ad
lxxii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
ripas Rheni venerant, domum reverti cceperunt : quos UH%
qui proximi Rhenum incolunt, perterritos insecuti, magnum
ex his numerum occiderimt. Caesar, una restate duobus max-
imis bellis confeptis, maturius paullo, quam tempus anni postu-
labat, in hiberna in Sequanos exercitum deduxit : hibernis
Labienum praeposuit : ipse in citeriorem Galliam ad conventus
agendos profectus est.
I ES. BELL. GALL. II.
IV. Quum ab his qusereret, quse civitates, quantseque
in armis essent, et quid in bello possent, sic reperiebat : ple-
rosque Belgas esse ortos ab Germanis ; Rhenumque antiquitus
transductos, propter loci fertilitatem ibi consedisse, Gallosque,
qui ea loca incolerent, expulisse ; solosque esse, qui, patrum
nostrorum memoria, omni Gallia vexata, Teutonos Oimbrosque
intra fines suos ingredi prohibuerint. Qua ex re fieri, uti
earum rerum memoria magnam sibi auctoritatem magnosque
spiritus in re militari sumerent. De numero eorum omnia
so habere explorata, Bemi dicebant, propterea quod propin-
quitatibus adfinitatibusque conjuncti, quantam quisque multi-
tudinem in communi Belgarum concilio ad id bellum pollicitus
sit, cognoverint. Plurimum inter eos Bellovacos et virtute,
et auctoritate, et hominum numero valere : hos posse conficere
armata millia centum : pollicitos ex eo numero electa xl.,
totiusque belli imperium sibi postulare. Suessiones suos esse
finitimos, latissimos f'eracissimosque agros possidere. Apud
eos fuisse regem nostra etiam memoria Divitiacum, totius
Gallia? potentissimum, qui quum magna? partis harum regionum,
turn etiam Britannia? imperium obtinuerit : nunc esse regem
Gal bam : ad hunc, propter justitiam prudentiamque, totius
belli summam omnium voluntate deferri : oppida habere
numero xn., pollicere millia armata quinquaginta ; totidem
Nervios, qui maxime feri inter ipsos habeantur longissimeque
absint : xv. millia Atrebates : Ambianos x. millia : Morinos
xxv. millia : Menapios ix. millia : Caletos x. millia :
Velocasses et Veromanduos totidem : Aduatucos xxix.
millia, Condrusos, Eburones, Casraesos, Pa9manos, qui uno
nomine Germani adpettantur, arbitrari ad xl. millia.
PROLEGOMENA. Ixxiii
C^ES. BELL. GALL. II.
XV. Eorum fines Nervii adtingebant : quorum de natura
moribusque Caesar quum quasreret, sic reperiebat : " Nullum
aditum esse ad eos mercatoribus : nihil pati vini reliqua-
rumque rerum, ad luxuriam pertinentium, inferri, quod iis
rebus relanguescere animos et remitti virtutem existimarent :
esse homines feros magnseque virtutis : increpitare atque in-
cusare reliquos Belgas, qui se populo Romano dedidissent
patriamque virtutem projecissent : confirmare, sese neque
legatos missuros, neque ullam conditionem pacis acceptu-
ros.'"
CiES. BELL. GALL. IV.
I. Ea, qua? secuta est, hieme, qui fait annus Cn.
Pompeio, M. Orasso Coss«, Usipetes Germani et item Tench-
theri magna cum multitudine hominum flumen Rhenum
transierunt, non longe a mari, quo Rhenus influit. Caussa
transeundi fuit, quod ab Suevis. complures annos exagitati
bello premebantur et agricultura prohibebantur. Suevorum
gens est longe maxima et bellicosissima Germanorum omnium.
Hi centum pagos habere dicuntur, ex quibus quotannis sin-
gula millia armatorum bellandi caussa ex finibus educunt.
Reliqui, qui domi manserint, se atque illos alunt. Hi rursus
in vicem anno post in armis sunt ; illi domi remanent. Sic
neque agricultura, nee ratio atque usus belli intermittitur.
Sed privati ac separati agri apud eos nihil est, neque longius
anno remanere uno in loco incolendi caussa licet. Neque
multum frumento, sed maximam partem lacte atque pecore
vivunt multumque sunt in venationibus : qua? res et cibi
genere, et quotidiana exercitatione, et libertate vitse (quod, a
pueris nullo officio aut disciplina adsuefacti, nihil omnino
contra voluntatem faciant) et vires alit, et immani corporum
magnitudine homines efficit. Atque in earn se consuetudinem
adduxerunt, ut locis frigidissimis, neque vestitus, praeter pellis,
habeant quidquam (quarum propter exiguitatem magna est
corporis pars aperta), et laventur in fluminibus.
II. Mercatoribus est ad eos aditus magis eo, ut, qua? bello
ceperint, quibus vendant, habeant, quam quo ullam rem ad se
importari desiderent : quin etiam jumentis, quibus maxime
Lwiv TI1E GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Gallia delectatur, quseque impenso parant pretio, Germaiii
importatitiis non utuntur : sed qua; sunt apud eos nata, prava
atque deformia, haec quotidiana exercitatione, summi ut sint
laboris, effieiunt. Equestribus proeliis scepe ex equis desiliunt
ac pedibus prceliantur ; equosque eodcm remanere vestigio
adsuefaciunt ; ad quos se celeriter, quimi usus est, recipiunt :
neque eorum moribus turpius quidquam aut inertius habetur,
(jiiain ephippiis uti. Itaque ad quemvis numerum ephippia-
torum equitum, quainvis pauci, adire audent* Vinum ad se
omnino importari non sinunt, quod ea re ad laborem ferendurn
remollescere homines atque effeminari arbitrantur.
III. Publice maximam putant esse laudem, quam latis-
sime a suis finibus vacare agros : hac re significari, magnum
numerum civitatum suam vim sustinere non posse. Itaque
una ex parte a Suevis circiter millia passuura dc. agri vacare
dicuntur. Ad alteram partem succedunt Ubii (quorum fuit
ci vitas ampla atque florens, ut est captus Germanorum), et
paullo, quam sunt ejusdem generis, et ceteris humaniores,
propterea quod Rhenum adtinguut multumque ad eos mer-
catores ventitant et ipsi propter propinquitatem Gallicis sunt
moribus adsuefacti. Hos quum Suevi, multis saepe bellis
experti propter amplitudinem gravitatemque civitatis, finibus
expellere non potuissent, tamen vectigales sibi fecerunt ac
multo humiliores infirmioresque redegerunt.
IV. In eadem caussa fuerunt Usipetes et Tenchtlieri,
quos supra diximus, qui complures annos Suevorum vim sus-
tiuuerunt ; ad extremum tamen agris expulsi et multis Ger-
manise locis triennium vagati ad Rhenum pervenerunt : quas
regiones Menapii incolebant et ad utramque ripam fluminis
agros, a?dificia vicosque habebant ; sed tantae multitudinis aditu
perterriti, ex his eedificiis, quae trans flurnen habuerant, demi-
graverunt et, cis Rhenum dispositis prsesidiis, Germanos
transire prohibebant. Illi, omnia experti, quum neque vi
contendere propter inopiam navium, neque clam transire
propter custodias Menapiorum possent, reverti se in suas
sedes region esque simulaverunt : et tridui viam progressi,
rursus reverterunt atque, omni hoc itinere una nocte equi-
tatu confecto, inscios inopinantesque Menapios oppresserunt,
qui, de Germanorum discessu per exploratores certiores
PROLEGOMENA. lxxv
facti, sine metu trans Rhenum in suos vicos remigraverant.
His interfectis navibusque eorum occupatis, priusquam ea
pars Menapiorum, qua? citra Rhenum quieta in suis sedibus
erat, certior fieret, flumen transiernnt atque, omnibus eorum
sedificiis occupatis, reliquam partem hiemis se eorum copiis
aluerunt.
V. His de rebus Osesar certior factus, et infirmitatem
Gallorum veritus, quod sunt in consiliis capiendis mobiles
et novis plerumque rebus student, nihil his committendum
existimavit. Est autem hoc Gallicse consuetudinis, uti et
viatores, etiam invitos, consistere cogant et, quod quisque
eorum de quaque re audierit aut cognoverit, quserant et
mercatores in oppidis vulgus circumsistat, quibusque ex re-
gionibus veniant, quasque ibi res cognoverint, pronunciare
cogant. His rumoribus atque auditionibus permoti, de
summis saepe rebus consilia ineunt, quorum eos e vestigio
poenitere necesse est, quum incertis rumoribus serviant et
plerique ad voluntatem eorum ficta respondeant.
VI. Qua consuetudine cognita, Csesar, ne graviori bello
occurreret, maturius, quam consuerat, ad exercitum profi-
ciscitur. Eo quum venisset, ea, quae fore suspicatus erat,
facta cognovit, inissas legationes ab nonnullis civitatibus
ad Germanos, invitatosque eos, uti ab Rheno discederent ;
omniaque quae postulassent, ab se fore parata. Qua spe
adducti Germani latius jam vagabantur et in finis Eburonum
et Condrusorum, qui sunt Trevirorum clientes, pervenerant.
Principibus Gallise evocatis, Csesar ea, quae cognoverat,
dissimulanda sibi existimavit, eorumque animis permulsis et
confirmatis equitatuque imperato, bellum cum Germanis
gerere constituit.
VII. Re frumentaria comparata equitibusque delectis,
iter in ea loca facere coepit, quibus in locis esse Germanos
audiebat. A quibus quum paucorum dierum iter abesset,
legati ab his venerunt, quorum hsec fuit oratio : " Germanos
neque priores populo Romano bellum inferre, neque tamen
recusare, si lacessantur, quin armis contendant ; quod Ger-
manorum consuetudo hsec sit a majoribus tradita, quicum-
que bellum inferant, resistere, neque deprecari : hsec tamen
dicere, venisse invitos, ejectos domo. Si suam gratiam
IXXV1 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Romani velint, posse eis utiles esse amicos : vel sibi agros
attribuant, vel patiantur eos tenere, quos armis possederint.
Sese unis Suevis coneedere, quibus ne dii quidem iinmor-
tales pares esse possint : reliquum quidem iu terris esse nemi-
nem, quern 11011 superare possint."
VIII. Ad lirec Caesar, quse visum est, respondit ; sed exi-
tus fuit orationis: "Sibi nullam cum his amicitiam esse posse,
si in Gallia remanerent : neque verum esse, qui suos fines
tueri non potuerint, alienos occupare : neque ullos in Gallia
vacare agros, qui dari tantse prsesertim multitudini, sine
injuria possint. Sed licere, se velint, in Ubiorum finibus
considere, quorum sint legati apud se et de Suevorum in-
juriis querantur et a se auxilium petant; hoc se ab iis
inqH'tratiirum. 1
IX. Legati hrec se ad suos relaturos dixerunt et, re
deliberata, post diem tertium ad Csesarem reversuros: interea
ne propius se castra moveret, petierunt. " Ne id quidem
Caesar ab se impetrari posse "" dixit ; cognoverat enim, mag-
uaiu partem equitatus ab iis aliquot diebus ante praedandi
frumentandique caussa ad Ambivaritos trans Mosam missam.
Hos exspectari equites atque ejus rei caussa moram interponi,
arbitrabatur.
X. Mosa profluit ex monte Vosego, qui est in finibus
Lingonum, et, parte quadam ex Rheno recepta, quae adpel-
Iatur Yahalis iusulamque efEcit Batavorum, in Oceanum
influit, neque longius ab Oceano millibus passuum lxxx.
in Rhenum transit. Rhenus autem oritur ex Lepontiis, qui
Alpes incolunt, et longo spatio per fines Nantuatium, Helve-
tiorum, Sequauorum, Mediomatricorum, Tribucorum, Trevi-
rorum citatus fertur et, ubi Oceano adpropinquat, in plures
diffluit partes, multis ingentibusque insulis efFectis, quarum
pars magna a feris barbarisque nationibus incolitur (ex quibus
sunt, qui piscibus atque ovis avium vivere existimantur)
multisque capitibus in Oceanum influit.
XI. Csesar quum ab hoste non amplius passuum xn.
millibus abesset, ut erat constitutum, ad eum legati rever-
tuntur : qui, in itinere congressi, magnopere, ne longius
progrederetur, orabant. Quum id non impetrassent, pete-
bant, uti ad eos equites, qui agmen antecessissent, praemit-
PROLEGOMENA. Ixxvii
teret, eosque pugna proliiberet ; sibique uti potestatem
faceret, in Ubios legatos mittendi : quorum si principes ac
senatus sibi jurejurando fidem fecissent, ea conditione, quse
a Osesare ferretur, se usuros ostendebant : ad has res con-
ficiendas sibi tridui spatium daret. Hyec omnia Csesar eodem
illo pertinere arbitrabatnr, ut, tridui mora interposita, equites
eorum, qui abessent, reverterentur : tamen sese non lougius
millibus passuum quatuor aquationis caussa processurum eo
die dixit : hue postero die quam frequentissimi convenirent,
ut de eorum postulatis cognosceret. Interim ad prsefectos,
qui cum omni equitatu antecesserant, mittit, qui nunciarent,
ne hostes proelio lacesserent et, si ipsi lacesserentur, susti-
nerent, quoad ipse cum exercitu propius accessisset.
XII. At hostes, ubi primum nostros equites conspexe-
runt, quorum erat quinque millium numerus, quum ipsi non
amplius dccu. equites , haberent, quod ii, qui frumentandi
caussa ierant trans Mosam, nondum redierant, nihil timen-
tibus nostris, quod legati eorum paullo ante a Oaesare disces-
serant, atque is dies induciis erat ab eis petitus, impetu facto,
celeriter nostros perturbaverunt. Eursus resistentibus nostris,
consuetudine sua ad pedes desiluerunt, subfossisque equis
compluribusque nostris dejectis, reliquos in fugam conjecerunt
atque ita perterritos egerunt, ut non prius fnga desisterent,
quam in conspectum agminis nostri venissent. In eo proelio
ex equitibus nostris interficiuntur quatuor et septuaginta, in
his vir fortissimus, Piso, Aquitanus, amplissimo genere natus,
cujus avus in civitate sua regnum obtinuerat, amicus ab
senatu nostro adpellatus. Hie quum fratri intercluso ab
hostibus auxilium ferret, ilium ex periculo eripuit : ipse equo
vulnerato dejectus, quoad potuit, fortissime restitit. Quum
circumventus, multis vulneribus acceptis, cecidisset, atque id
frater, qui jam proelio excesserat, procul animum advertisset,
incitato equo se hostibus obtulit atque interfectus est.
XIII. Hoc facto proelio, Caesar neque jam sibi legatos
audiendos, neque conditiones accipiendas arbitrabatur ab his,
qui per dolum atque insidias, petita pace, ultro bellum intulis-
sent : exspectare vero, dum hostium copise augerentur equita-
tusque reverteretur, summse dementia? esse judicabat et, cognita
Gallorum infirmitate, quantum jam apud eos hostes uno prce-
lxxviii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
lio auctoritatis essent consecuti, sentiebat : quibus ad consilia
capienda nihil spatii dandum existimabat. His constitutis
rebus et consilio cum legatis et qusestore communicate, ue
quern diem pugnse praetermitteret, opportunissima res accidit,
quod postridie (.'jus diei mane eadem et perfidia et simulations
usi Grermani, frequentes, omnibus principibus majoribusque
natu adhibitis, ad eum in castra venerunt; simul, ut dice-
batur, sui purgandi caussa, quod contra, atque esset dictum et
ipsi petissent, prcclium pridie commisissent ; simul ut, si quid
possent, de induciis falleudo impetrarent. Quos sibi Caesar
oblatos gavisus, illos retineri jussit ; ipse omnes copias castris
eduxit, equitatumque, quod recenti prcolio perterritum esse
existimabat, agmen subsequi jussit.
XIV. Acie triplici instituta, et celeriter vin. millium
itinere confecto, prius ad hostium castra perveuit, quam*, quid
ageretur, Grermani sentire possent. Qui, omnibus rebus
subito perterriti, et celeritate adventus nostri, et discessu
suorum, neque consilii habendi, neque anna capiendi spatio
dato, perturbantur, copiasne adversus hostem educere, an
castra defendere, an fuga saiutem petcre, prsestaret. Quorum
timor quura fremitu et concursu significaretur, milites nostri,
pristini diei perfidia incitati, in castra irruperunt. Quorum
qui celeriter anna capere potuerunt, panllisper nostris restite-
runt atque inter carros impedimentaque prceliuni commise-
runt : at reliqua multitudo puerorum mulierumque (nam cum
omnibus suis domo excesserant Rhenumque transierant) pas-
sim fugere coepit ; ad quos consectandos Caesar equitatum
misit.
XV. Germani, post tergum clamore audito, quum suos
interfici viderent, armis abjectis signisque militaribus relictis,
se ex castris ejecerunt : et, quum ad confluentem Moste et
Rlieni pervenissent, reliqua fuga desperata, magno numero
interfecto, reliqui se in flumen prsecipitaverunt atque ibi
timore, lassitudine, vi fluminis oppressi perierunt. Nostri ad
unum omnes incolumes, perpaucis vulneratis, ex tanti belli
timore, quum hostium numerus capitum ccccxxx. millium
fuisset, se in castra receperunt. Caesar his, quos in castris
retinuerat, discedendi potestatem fecit : illi supplicia crucia-
tusque Gallorum veriti, quorum agros vexaverant, remanere
PROLEGOMENA- lxxix
se apud eum velle dixerunt. His Caesar libertatem con-
cessit.
XVI. Germanieo bello confecto, inultis de caussis Csesar
statuit, sibi Rhenum esse transeundum : quarum ilia fait
justissima, quod, quum videret, Germanos tarn facile impelli,
ut in Galliam venirent, suis quoque rebus eos timere voluit,
quum intelligerent, et posse et audere populi Romani exerci-
tuni Rhenum transire. Accessit etiam, quod ilia pars equi-
tatus Usipetum et Tenchtherorum, quam supra commemoravi
prsedandi frumentandique caussa Mosam transisse, neque
proelio interfuisse, post fugam suorum se trans Rhenum in
fines Sigambrorum receperat neque cum hs conjunxerat. Ad
quos quum Caesar nuncios misisset, qui postularent, eos, qui
sibi Galliseque bellum intulissent, sibi dederent, responderunt :
" Populi Romani imperium Rhenum finire : si, se invito Ger-
manos in Galliam transire, non sequum existimaret, cur sui
quidquam esse imperii aut potestatis trans Rhenum postu-
laret V Ubii autem, qui uni ex transrhenanis ad Osesarem
legatos miserant, amicitiam fecerant, obsides dederant, magno-
pere orabant, " ut sibi auxilium ferret, quod graviter ab Suevis
premerentur ; vel, si id facere occupationibus reipublicse
prohiberetur, exercitum modo Rhenum transportaret : id sibi
ad auxilium spemqne reliqui temporis satis futurum : tantum
esse nomen atque opinionem ejus exercitus, Ariovisto pulso et
hoc novissimo prcelio facto, etiam ad ultimas Germanorum
nationes, uti opinione et amicitia populi Romani tuti esse
possint. r ' Navium magnam copiam ad transportandum exer-
citum pollicebantur.
XVII. Csesar his de caussis, quas commemoravi, Rhe-
num transire decreverat ; sed navibus transire, neque satis
tutum esse arbitrabatur, neque sua? neque populi Romani
dignitatis esse statuebat. Itaque, etsi summa difficultas
faciundi pontis proponebatur propter latitudinem, rapiditatem
altitudinemque fluminis, tamen id sibi contendendum, aut
aliter non transducendum exercitum, existimabat. Rationem
pontis hanc instituit. Tigna bina sesquipedalia, paullum ab
imo prseacuta, dimensa ad altitudinem fluminis, intervallo
pedum duorum inter se jungebat. Hsec quum machinatio-
nibus immissa in flumen defixerat fistucisque adegerat, non
IXXX THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
sublica? niodo derecta ad perpendiculum, sod prona ac fasti-
gata, ut secundum naturam flumiuis procumberent : iis item
contraria duo, ad eumdem modum juncta, intervallo pedum
quadragenum, ab inferiore parte, contra vim atque impetum
fluminis conversa statuebat. Haec utraque insuper bipeda-
libus trabibus immissis, quantum eorum tignorum junctura
distabat, binis utriumque fibulis ab extrema parte, distine-
bantur : quibus disclusis atque in contrariam partem revinctis,
tanta erat operis firmitudo atque ea rerum natura, ut, quo
major vis aqua? se incitavisset, hoc artius illigata tenerentur.
H»c derecta materie injecta contexebantur et longuriis crati-
busque consternebantur ; ac nihilo secius sublica? et ad infcri-
orem partem fluminis oblique agebantur, qua?, pro pariete
subjects? et cum omni opere conjuncta\ vim fluminis excipe-
rent : et alia? item supra pontem mediocri spatio, ut, si
arborum trunci sive naves dejiciendi operis essent a barbaris
missse, his defensoribus earum rerum vis minueretur, neu
ponti nocerent.
XVIII. Diebus decern, quibus materia ccepta erat com-
portari, omni opere effecto, exercitus transducitur. Ca?sar,
ad utramque partem pontis firmo pra?sidio relicto, in fines
Sigambrorum contendit. Interim a compluribus civitatibus
ad eum legati veniunt, quibus pacem atque amicitiam peten-
tibus liberaliter respondit obsidesque ad se adduci jubet. At
Sigambri ex eo tempore, quo pons institui coeptus est, fuga
comparata, hortantibus iis, quos ex Tenchtheris atque Usipe-
tibus apud se habebant, finibus suis excesserant, suaque
omnia exportaverant, seque in solitudinem ac silvas abdi-
derant.
XIX. Csesar, paucos dies in eorum finibus moratus,
omnibus vicis sedificiisque incensis frumentisque succisis, se
in fines Ubiorum recepit ; atque iis auxilium sumn pollicitus,
si ab Suevis premerentur, heec ab iis cognovit : Suevos, post-
eaquam per exploratores pontem fieri comperissent, more suo
concilio habito, nuncios in omnes partes dimisisse, uti de
oppidis demigrarent, liberos, uxores, suaque omnia in silvas
deponerent atque omnes, qui arma ferre possent, unum in
locum convenirent : hunc esse delectum medium fere re-
gionum earum, quas Suevi obtinerent : hie Romanorum
PROLEGOMENA. Ixxxi
aclventum exspectare atque ibi clecertare constituisse. Quod
ubi Oseisar comperlt, omnibus his rebus confectis, quaruni
rerum caussa transducere exercitum constituerat, ut Ger-
manis metum injiceret, ut Sigambros ulcisceretur, ut Ubios
obsidione liberaret, diebus omnino x. et vm. trans Rhenum
consumtis, satis et ad laudem et ad utilitatem profectum
arbitratus, se in Galliani recepit pontemque rescidit.
CMS. BELL. GALL. VI.
IX. Csesar, postquam ex Menapiis in Treviros venit,
duabus de caussis Rhenum transire constituit : quaruni erat
altera, quod auxilia contra se Treviris miserant ; altera, ne
Ambiorix ad eos receptum haberet. His constitutis rebus,
paullum supra eum locum, quo ante exercitum transduxerat,
facere pontem instituit. Nota atque instituta ratione, magno
militum studio, paucis diebus opus efficitur. Firmo in Tre-
viris preesidio ad pontem relicto, ne quis ab iis subito motus
oriretur, reliquas copias equitatumque transducit. Ubii, qui
ante obsides dederant atque in deditionem venerant, purgandi
sui caussa ad eum legatos mittunt, qui doceant, " neque ex
sua civitate auxilia in Treviros missa, neque ab se fidem
Isesam :" petunt atque orant, " ut sibi parcat, ne communi
odio Gernianorum innocentes pro nocentibus poenas pendant :"
si amplius obsidum velit, dare pollicentur. Cognita Ceesar
caussa reperit, ab Suevis auxilia missa esse, Ubiorum satis-
factionem accepit, aditus viasque in Suevos perquirit.
X. Interim paucis post diebus fit ab Ubiis certior,
Suevos omnes unum in locum copias cogere atque iis na-
tionibus, quae sub eornm sint imperio, denunciare, uti auxilia
peditatus equitatusque mittant. His cognitis rebus, rem
frumentariam providet, castris idoneum locum deligit, Ubiis
imperat, ut pecora deducant suaque omnia ex agris in oppida
conferant, sperans, barbaros atque imperitos homines, inopia
cibariorum adductos, ad iniquam pugnandi conclitionem posse
deduci : mandat, ut crebros exploratores in Suevos mittant,
quaeque apud eos gerantur, cognoscant. Illi imperata faciunt
et paucis diebus intermissis referunt, " Suevos omnes, post-
eaquam certiores nuncii de exercitu Romanorum venerint, cum
omnibus suis sociorumque copiis, quas coegissent, penitus ad
9
lxxxii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
extremos fines sese recepisse : silvam esse ibi infinita magnitu-
dine, quae adpellatur Bacenis, hanc longe introrsus pertinere et,
pro nativo muro objectam, Cheruscos ab Suevis, Suevosque ab
Gheruscis, iiijuriis incursionibusque prohibcre : ad ejus initium
silvee Suevos adventum Romanorum exspectare constituisse."
XI. Quoniam ad liune locum perventum est, non alienuni
esse videtur, de Galliae Germaniaeque moribus, et quo dif-
ferant hx nationes inter sese, proponere. In Gallia non
solum in omnibus civitatibus atque in omnibus pagis par-
tibusque, sed psene etiam in singulis domibus factiones sunt :
earumque factionum principes sunt, qui summam auctorita-
fcem eorumjudicio habere existimantur, quorum ad arbitrium
judiciumque summa omnium rerum consiliorumque redeat.
Idque ejus rci caussa antiqnitus institutum videtur, ne quis
ex plebe contra potentiorem auxilii egeret : suos cnimquisque
opprimi et circumveniri non patitur, neque, aliter si faciant,
ullaiii inter suos habent auctoritatem. Hacc eadem ratio est
in summa totius Gallia; : namque omnes civitates in partes
divisse sunt duas.
XII. Quum Caesar in Galliam venit, alterius factionis
principes erant iEdui, alterius Sequani. Hi quum per se
minus valerent, quod summa auctoritas antiquitus erat
in ^Eduis, magnacque eorum erant clientela3. Germanos
atque Ariovistum sibi adjunxerant eosque ad se magnie
jacturis pollicitationibusque perduxerant. Prceliis vero com-
pluribns factis secundis, atque omni nobilitate vEduorum
interfecta, tantum potentia antecesserant, ut magnam partem
clientium ab iEduis ad se transducerent obsidesque ab iis
principum filios acciperent et publice jurare cogerent, nihil
se contra Sequanos consilii inituros ; et partem finitimi agri,
per vim occupatam, possiderent Galliseque totius principatum
obtinerent. Qua necessitate adductus Divitiacus, auxilii
petendi caussa Romam ad senatum profectus, infecta re
redierat. Adventu Caesaris facta commutatione rerum, obsi-
dibus iEduis redditis, veteribus clientelis restitutis, novis
per Caasarem comparatis (quod hi, qui se ad eorum ami-
citiam adgregaverant, meliore conditione atque aequiore im-
perio se uti videbant), reliquis rebus eorum, gratia, dignitate
amplificata, Sequani principatum dimiserant. In eorum
PROLEGOMENA. Ixxxiii
locum Remi successerant ; quos quod adsequare apud Ca>
sarem gratia intelligebatur, ii, qui propter veteres inimicitias
nullo modo cum iEduis conjungi poterant, se Remis in cli-
entelam dicabant. Hos illi diligenter tuebantur. Ita et
novam et repente collectam auctoritatem tenebant. Eo turn
statu res erat, ut longe principes baberentur iEdui, secundum
locum dignitatis Remi obtinerent.
XIII. In omni Gallia eorum hominum, qui aliquo sunt
numero atque honore, genera sunt duo : nam plebes paene
servorum habetur loco, quae per se nihil audet et nullo
adhibetur consilio. Plerique, quum aut aere alieno, aut
magnitudine tributorum, aut injuria potentiorum prementur,
sese in servitutem dicant nobilibus, in hos eadem omnia sunt
jura, qua? dominis in servos. Sed de his duobus generibus
alterum est Druidum, alterum equitum. Illi rebus divinis
intersunt, sacrificia publica ac privata procurant, religiones
interpretantur. Ad hos magnus adolescentium numerus
discipline caussa concurrit, magnoque ii sunt apud eos
honore. Nam fere de omnibus controversiis publicis pri-
vatisque constituunt ; et, si quod est admissum facinus, si
csedes facta, si de hsereditate, si de finibus controversia est,
iidem decernunt ; praemia pcenasque constituunt : si qui aut
privatus aut publicus eorum decreto non stetit, sacrificiis
interdicunt. Haec pcena apud eos est gravissima. Quibus
ita est interdictum, ii numero impiorum ac sceleratorum
habentur ; iis omnes decedunt, aditum eorum sermonemque
defugiunt, ne quid ex contagione incommodi accipiant : neque
iis petentibus jus redditur, neque honos ullus communicatur.
His autem omnibus Druidibus praeest unus, qui summam
inter eos habet auctoritatem. Hoc mortuo, si qui ex reliquis
excellit dignitate succedit : at, si sunt plures pares, suffragio
Druidum adlegitur, nonnumquam etiam armis de principatu
contendunt. Hi certo anni tempore in finibus Carnutnm,
quas regio totius Galliae media habetur, considunt in loco
consecrato. Hue omnes undique, qui controversias habent,
conveniunt eorumque decretis jucliciisque parent. Disciplina
in Britannia reperta atque inde in Galliam translata esse
existimatur : et nunc, qui diligentius earn rem cognoscere
volunt, plerumque illo discendi caussa proficiscuntur.
9 2
Ixxxiv THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
XIV. Druides a bello abessc consuerunt, nequc tributa
una cum reliquis pendunt ; militia; vacationem omniumque
rerum habeat immunitatem. Tantis excitati prsemiis, et
sua gponte multi in disciplinam conveniunt, et a parentibus
propinquisque mittuntur. Magnum ibi numorum versuum
ediscere dicuntur: itaque annos nonnulli vicenos in disciplina
permanent. Neque fas esse existimant, ca litteris mandare,
(liiuni in reliquis fere rebus, publicis privatisque rationibus,
Graecis utantur litteris. Id milii duabus de caussis instituissc
videntur ; quod neque in vulguin disciplinam efferri velint,
neque eos, qui discant, litteris confisos, minus memorise
studere; quod fere plerisque accidit, ut prsesidio litterarum
diligentiam in perdiscendo ac memoriam remittant. In
primis hoc volunt persuadere, non interire aninias, sed ab
aliis post mortem transire ad alios: atque hoc maxime ad
virtutem excitari putant, metu mortis neglecto. Multa prse-
terea de sidcribus atque eorum motu, de mundi ac terrarum
magnitudine, de rerum natnra, de deorum immortalium vi ac
potestate disputant et juventuti transdant.
XV. Alteram genus est equitum. Hi, quum est usus,
atque aliquod bellum incidit (quod ante Osesaris adventum
fere quotannis accidere solebat, uti aut ipsi injurias inferrent,
aut illatas propulsarent), omnes in bello versantur : atque
eorum ut quisque est genere copiisque amplissimus, ita plurimos
circum se ambactos clientesque habent. Hanc unam gratiam
potentiamque noverunt.
XVI. Natio est omnis Gallorum admodum dedita reli-
gionibus ; atque ob earn caussam, qui sunt adfecti gravioribus
morbis, quique in proeliis periculisque versantur, aut pro
victimis homines immolant, aut se immolaturos vovent ad-
ministrisque ad ea sacrificia Druidibus utuntur ; quod, pro
vita hominis nisi hominis vita reddatur, non posse aliter
deorum immortalium numen placari arbitrantur : publiceque
ejusdem generis habent instituta sacrificia. Alii immani
magnitudine simulacra habent, quorum contexta viminibus
membra vivis hominibus complent, quibus succensi,s, circum-
venti flamma exanimantur homines. Supplicia eorum, qui
in furto, aut in latrocinio, aut aliqua noxa sint comprehensi,
gratiora diis immortalibus esse arbitrantur ; sed, quum ejus
PROLEGOMENA. LxXXV
generis copia deficit, etiam ad innocentium supplicia descen-
dant.
XVII. Deuni niaxime Mercurium colunt : hnjus sunt
plurima simulacra, hunc omnium inventorem artium ferunt,
hunc viarum atque itinerum ducem, hunc ad qusestus pecunias
mercaturasque habere vim maximam arbitrantur. Post hunc,
Apollinem et Martem et Jovem et Minervam : de hiseamdem
fere, quam reliquse gentes, habent opinionem ; Apollinem
morbos depellere, Minervam operum atque artificiorum initia
transdere ; Jovem imperium cselestiuin tenere ; Martem bella
regere. Huic, quum proelio dimicare constituerunt, ea, quse
bello ceperint, plerumque devovent. Quse superaverint, ani-
malia capta immolant ; reliquas res in unum locum conferunt.
Multis in civitatibus harum rerum exstructos tumulos locis
consecratis conspicari licet : neque ssepe accidit, ut, neglecta
quispiam religione, aut capta apud se occultare, aut posita
tollere auderet ; gravissimumque ei rei supplicium cum cru-
ciatu constitutum est.
XVIII. Galli se omnes ab Dite patre prognatos pree-
dicant, idque ab Druidibus proditum dicunt. Ob earn caussam
spatia omnis temporis non numero dierum, sed noctium
finiunt ; dies natales et mensium et annorum initia sic ob-
servant, ut noctem dies subsequatur. In reliquis vitse insti-
tutis hoc fere ab reliquis different, quod suos liberos, nisi
quum adoleverint, ut munus militias sustinere possint, palam
ad se adire non patiuntur, filiumque puerili eetate in publico,
in conspectu patris, adsistere, turpe ducunt.
XIX. Viri, quantas pecunias ab uxoribus dotis nomine
acceperunt, tantas ex suis bonis, Bestimatione facta, cum
dotibus communicant. Hujus omnis pecunise conjunctim
ratio habetur, fructusque servantur : uter eorum vita superarit,
ad eum pars utriusque cum fructibus superiorum temporum
pervenit. Viri in uxores, sicuti in liberos, vitse necisque
habent potestatem : et, quum pater familise, illustriore loco
natus, decessit, ejus propinqui conveniunt et, de morte si res
in suspicionem venit, de uxoribus in servilem modum quse-
stionem habent et, si compertum est, igni atque omnibus
tormentis excrutiatas interficiunt. Funera sunt pro cultu
Gallorum magnifica et sumptuosa ; omniaque, qua? vivis cordi
Ixxxvi THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
fuisse arbitrantur, in ignem inferunt, etiam animalia; ac paullo
supra hanc memoriam servi et clientes, quos ab iis dilectos
esse constabat, justis funeribus confectis, una cremabantur.
XX. Qua} eivitates commodius suam rem publicam admi-
nistrare existimantur, habent legibus sanctum, si quis quid
de re publica a finitimis rumore ac fama acceperit, uti ad
magistratum deferat, neve cum quo alio communicet : quod
saepe homines temerarios atque imperitos falsis rumoribus
terreri et ad facinus impelli et de summis rebus consilium
capere cognitum est. Magistratus, qua? visa sunt, occultant ;
quseque esse ex usn judicaverint, multitudini produnt. De re
publica nisi per concilium loqui non conceditur.
XXT. Grermani multum ab hac consuetudine differunt :
nam neque Druides habent, qui rebus divinis prresint, neque
sacrificiis student. Deorum numero eos solos ducunt, quos
cernunt et quorum aperte opibus juvantur, Solem et Vulcanum
et Lunam : reliquos ne fama quidem acceperunt. Vita omnis
in venationibus atque in studiis rei militaris consistit : ab
parvulis labori ac duritise student. Qui diutissime impuberes
permanserunt, maximam inter suos ferunt laudem : hoc ali
statu rain, ali hoc vires nervosque confirmari putant. Intra
annum vero vicesimum feminse notitiam habuisse, in turpissimis
habent rebus ; cujus rei nulla est occultatio, quod et promiscue
in fluminibus perluuntur, et pellibus aut parvis rhenonum
tegimentis utuntur, magna corporis parte nuda.
XXII. Agricultural non student; majorque pars victus
eorum in lacte, caseo, carne consistit : neque quisquam agri
modum certum aut fines habet proprios : sed magistratus ac
principes in annos singnlos gentibus cognationibusque homi-
num, qui una coierint, quantum, et quo loco visum est, agri
adtribuunt atque anno post alio transire cogunt. Ejus rei
multas adferunt caussas ; ne, adsidua consuetudine capti,
studium belli gerundi agricultura commutent ; ne latos fines
parare studeant potentioresque humiliores possessionibus ex-
pellant ; ne adcuratius ad frigora atque sestus vitandos
sedificent ; ne qua oriatur pecuniae cupiditas, qua ex re
factiones dissensionesque nascuntur ; ut animi sequitate ple-
bem contineant, quum suas quisque opes cum potentissimis
sequari videat.
PROLEGOMENA. Ixxxvii
XXIII. Civitatibus maxima lans est, quam latissimas
circum se vastatis finibus solituclines babere. Hoc propvium
virtutis existimant, expulsos agris finitimos cedere, neque
quern quam prope audere consistere : simul hoc se fore tutiores
arbitrantur, repentinss incursionis timore sublato. Quum
bellum civitas aut illatum defendit, aut infert : magistrates,
qui ei bello prsesint, ut vitse necisque habeant potestatem,
deliguntur. In pace nullus est communis magistratus, sed
principes regionum atque pagorum inter suos jus dicunt,
controversiasque minuunt. Latrocinia nullam habent infami-
am, qua? extra fines cujusque civitatis fiunt ; atque ea jn Ven-
turis exercendse ac desidise minuendse caussa fieri prsedicant.
Atque, ubi quis ex principibus in concilio dixit, " se ducem
fore ; qui sequi velint, profiteantur,' 1 consurgunt ii, qui et
caussam et liominem probant, suumque auxilium pollicentur
atque ab multitudine collaudantur : qui ex iis secuti non
sunt, in desertorum ac proditorum numero ducuntur omni-
umque iis rerum postea fides derogatur. Hospites violare, fas
non putant ; qui quaque de caussa ad eos venerint, ab injuria
prohibent sanctosque habent ; iis omnium domus patent,
victusque communicatur.
XXIV. Ac fuit antea tempus, quum Germanos Galli
virtute superarent, ultro bella inferrent, propter hominum
multitudinem agrique inopiam trans Ehenum colonias mitte-
rent. Itaque ea, quae fertilissima sunt, Germanise loca circum
Hercyniam silvam (quam Eratostheni et quibusclam Graecis
fama notam esse video, quam illi Orcyniam adpellant), Volcas
Tectosages occupaverunt atque ibi consederunt. Quae gens
ad hoc tempus iis sedibus sese continet summamque habet
justitise et bellicse laudis opinionem : nunc quoque in eadem
inopia, egestate, patientia, qua Germani, permanent eodem
victu et cultu corporis utuntur ; Gallis autem provincise
propinquitas, et transmarinarum rerum notitia, multa ad
copiam atque usus largitur. Paullatim adsuefacti superari,
multisque victi proeliis, ne se quidem ipsi cum illis virtute
comparant.
XXV. Hujus Hercynise silvse, qua? supra demonstrata
est, latitudo novem dierum iter expedito patet : non enim
aliter finiri potest, neque mensuras itinerum noverunt. Oritur
Ixxxviii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
ab Helvetiorum et Nemetum et Rauracorum finibus, rectaque
fluminis Danubii regions pertinet ad fines Dacorum et
Anartium : hinc se flectit sinistrorsus, diversis ab flumine
regionibus, multarumque gentium fines propter magnitudinem
adtingit ; neque quisquam est hujus Germanise, qui se aut
adisse ad initium ejus silvae dicat, quum dierum iter lx. pro-
cesserit, aut quo ex loco oriatur, acceperit. Multa in ea
genera ferarum nasci constat, qua3 reliquis in locis visa non
sint : ex quibus quse maxime difterant ab ceteris et memorise
prodenda videautur, hsec sunt.
XXYI. Est bos cervi figura, cujus a media fronte inter
aures unum cornu exsistit, excelsius magisque directum his,
quse nobis nota sunt, cornibus. Ab ejus summo, sicut palmse,
rami quam late diffunduntur. Eadem est feminre marisque
natura, eadem forma magnitudoque cornuum.
XXVII. Sunt item, quae adpellautur alces. Harum
est consimilis capreis figura et varietas pellium ; sed mag-
nitudine paullo antecedunt mutilseque sunt cornibus et crura
sine nodis articulisque habent ; neque quietis caussa procum-
bunt, neque, si quo adflictse casu conciderint, erigere sese aut
sublevare possunt. His sunt arbores pro cubilibus : ad eas
se adplicant, atque ita, paullum modo reclinatse, quietem
capiunt : quarum ex vestigiis quum est animadversum a
venatoribus, quo se recipere consuerint, omnes eo loco aut ab
radicibus subruunt, aut accidunt arbores tantum, ut summa
species earum stantium relinquatur. Hue quum se consue-
tudine reelinaverint, infirmas arbores pondere adfligunt atque
una ipsse concidunt.
XXVIII. Tertium est genus eorum, qui uri adpellantur.
Hi sunt magnitudine paullo infra elephantos ; specie et colore
et figura tauri. Magna vis eorum et magna velocitas :
neque homini, neque ferse, quam conspexerint, parcunt. Hos
studiose foveis captos interficiunt. Hoc se labore durant
homines adolescentes atque hoc genere venationis exercent ;
et, qui plurimos ex his interfecerunt, relatis in publicum
cornibus, quse sint testimonio, magnam ferunt laudem. Sed
adsuescere ad homines et mansuefieri, ne parvuli quidem
excepti, possunt. Amplitudo cornuum et figura et species
multum a nostrorum bourn cornibus differt. Hsec studiose
PROLEGOMENA. lxxxix
conquisita ab labris argento circumcludunt atque in amplissi-
mis epulis pro poculis utuntur.
$> XX. ARMINIUS AND MAROBODUUS.
After Ariovistus in point of time, but before him in promi-
nence and importance, come the two great Germans, Armi-
nius and Maroboduus ; concerning whom the chief texts
are from Velleius Paterculus and Tacitus himself. I shall
append to these Niebuhr's account of the same events, as it
stands in Dr. Schmitz's edition of his Lectures, such being
the best way to compare the evidence in its crude and its
systematized form. The criticism upon the whole will be
found in the body of the work.
VELL. PATERC. II.
CVIII. Nihil erat jam in Germania, quod vinci posset,
prater gentem Marcomannorum ; quse, Maroboduo duce
excita sedibus suis, atque in interiora refugiens, incinctos
Hercynia silva campos incolebat. Nulla festinatio hujus viri
mentionem transgredi debet. Maroboduus, genere nobilis,
corpore praevalens, animo ferox, natione magis quam ratione
barbarus, non tumultuarium, neque fortuitum, neque mobilem
et ex voluntate parentium constantem inter suos occupavit
principatum ; seel, certum imperium vimque regiam com-
plexus animo, statuit, avocata procul a liomanis gente sua, eo
progredi, ubi, cum propter potentiora arma refugisset, sua
faceret potentissima.
CIX. Occupatis igitur, quos prsediximus, locis, flnitimos
omnes aut bello domuit, aut conditionibus juris sui fecit :
corpus suum custodia munivit : imperium, perpetuis armorum
exercitiis (exercitu) psene ad Romanee discipline formam
redacto, brevi in eminens et nostro quoque imperio timendum
perduxit fastigium ; gerebatque se ita adversus Romanos,
ut neque bello nos lacesseret, et, si lacesseretur, super-
esse sibi vim ac voluntatem resistendi (ostenderet). Le-
gati, quos mittebat ad Osesares, interdum ut supplicem
commendabant, interdum ut pro pari loquebantur. Gen-
tibus hominibusque a nobis desciscentibus erat apud eum
XC THE GERMxVNY OF TACITUS.
perfngium ; totusqne ex male dissimulate- agebat aemulum ;
exercitumque, quern lxx. millium peditum, quatuor equi-
tum, fecerat, assiduis adversus finitimos bellis exercendo,
majori, quam quod habebat, operi preeparabat. Eratque
etiam eo timendus, quod, cum Germaniam ad Irevam et in
f route, Panuoniam ad dextram, a tergo sedium suarum habe-
ret Noricos, tamquam in omnes semper venturus, ab omni-
bus timebatur. Nee securam increment! sui patiebatur esse
Italiam : quippe cum a su minis Alpium jugis, quaa finem
Italice terminant, initium ejus finium baud multo plus cc.
millibus passuum abesset. Hunc virum et banc regionem
proximo anno diversis e partibus Tib. Caesar aggredi statuit.
Sentio Saturnino mandatum, ut per Oattos, excisis continen-
tibus Hercynia) silvis, legiones Boiobannum (id regioni, quam
incolebat Maroboduus, nomen est) duceret ; ipse a Carnunto,
qui locus Norici regni proximus ab liac parte erat, exercitum,
qui in Illyrico mcrebat, ducere in Marcomaunos orsus est.
VELL. PATERC. II.
CX VII. Tantum quod ultimam imposuerat Pannonico ac
Delmatico bello Cresar manum, cum, intra quinque con-
summati tanti operis dies, funestse ex Germania epistolee,
caesi Vari, trucidatarumque legionum trium totidemque alarum,
et sex cohortium : velut in hoc saltern tantummodo indul-
gente nobis Fortuna, ne occupato duce. Sed causa et per-
sona moram exigit. Varus Quinctilius, nobili magis, quam
illustri ortus familia, vir ingenio mitis, moribus quietus, ut
corpore, ita animo immobilior, otio magis castrorum, quam
bellicse assuetus militise : pecunise vero quam non contemtor,
Syria, cui praefuerat, declaravit ; quam pauper divitem ingres-
sus, dives pauperem reliquit. Is cum exercitui, qui erat in
Germania, prseesset, concepit esse homines, qui nihil prseter vo-
cem membraque haberent hominum ; quique gladiis domari non
poterant, posse jure mulceri. Quo proposito mediam ingres-
sus Germaniam, velut inter viros pacis gaudentes dulcedine, ju-
risdictionibus, agendoque pro tribunali ordine, trahebat sestiva.
CXVIII. At illi, quod nisi expertus vix credat, in summa
feritate versutissimi, natumque mendacio genus, simulantes
fictas litium series, et nunc provocantes alter alterum inju-
PROLEGOMENA. Xci
ria, nunc agentes gratias, quod ea Romana justitia finiret,
feritasque sua novitate incognita? disciplinse mitesceret, et
solita arniis descerni jure terminarentur, in summam socordiam
perduxere Quinctilium ; usque eo, ut se prsetoreni urbanum
in foro jus dicere, non in mediis Germanise finibus exercitui
prseesse crederet. Turn juvenis genere nobilis, manu fortis,
sensu celer, ultra barbarum promtus ingenio, nomine Arminius,
Sigimeri principis gentis ejus filius, ardorem animi vultu
oculisque praaferens, assiduus militice nostras prioris comes,
(cum) jure etiam civitates Rornanse jus equestris consequens
gradus, segnitia ducis in occasionem sceleris usus est, haud
imprudenter speculatus, neminem celerius opprimi, quam qui
nihil timeret ; et frequentissimum initium esse calamitatis,
securitatem. Primo igitur paucos, mox plures in socie-
tatem consilii recipit : opprimi posse Romanos, et dicit, et
persuadet ; decretis facta jungit ; tempus insidiarum consti-
tuit. Id Varo per virum ejus gentis fidelem clarique no-
minis Segesten indicatur. Sed obstabant jam fata consiliis,
omnemque animi ejus aciem prsestrinxerant. Quippe ita se
res habet, ut plerumque [qui] fortunam mutaturus Deus, con-
silia corrumpat, efficiatque, quod miserrimum est, ut, quod
accidit, id etiam merito accidisse videatur, et casus in culpam
transeat. Negat itaque se credere, spemque in se bene-
volentiee ex merito sestimare profitetur. Nee diutius, post
primum indicem, secundo relictus locus.
CXIX. Ordinem atrocissimse calamitatis, qua nulla, post
Orassi in Parthis damnum, in externis gentibus gravior Ro-
manis fuit, justis voluminibus, ut alii, ita nos conabimur
exponere. Nunc summa deflenda est. Exercitus omnium
fortissimus, disciplina, manu, experientiaque bellorum inter
Romanos milites princeps, marcore ducis, perfidia hostis,
iniquitate fortunse circumventus (cum ne pugnandi quidem
aut egrediendi occasio iis, in quantum voluerant, data esset
impune ; castigatis etiam quibusdam gravi pcena, quia Ro-
manis et armis et animis usi fuissent), inclusus silvis, palu-
dibus, insidiis, ab eo hoste ad internecionem trucidatus est,
quern semper ita more pecudum trucidaverat, ut vitam aut
mortem ejus nunc ira, nunc venia temperaret. Duci plus
ad moriendumj quam ad pugnandum, animi fuit. Quippe
XCli THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
paterni avitique exempli successor se ipse transfixit. At
e praefectis castrorum duobus, quam clarum exemplum L.
Eggius, tarn turpe (C.) Ceionius prodidit : qui, cum longe
maximam partem absumsisset acies, auctor deditionis, sup-
plicio quam proelio mori maluit. At Vala Numouius,
legatus Vari, cetera quietus ac pro-bus, cliri auctor exempli,
spoliatum equite peditem reliuquens, fuga cum alis Rheuum
petere ingressus est. Quod factum ejus fortuna ulta est :
non enim desertis superfuit, sed desertor occidit. Vari
corpus semiustum hostilis laceraverat feritas ; caput ejus
abscissum, latumque ad Maroboduum, et ab eo missum ad
Csesarem, gentilitii taudem tumuli sepultura honoratum est.
CXX. His auditis revolat ad patrem Caesar ; perpetuus
patronus Romani imperii, assuetam sibi causam suscipit.
JNIittitur ad Germaniam, Gallias confirmat, disponit exercitus,
praesidia munit ; se magnitudine sua, non fiducia (ducis)
motions, qui Cimbricam Teutonicamque militiam Italia) mina-
batur, ultro Rhenum cum exercitu transgreditur. Anna
infert genti, quam arcuisse pater et patria contenti erant ;
penetrat interius, aperit limites, vastat agros, urit domos,
fundit obvios ; maximaque cum gloria, iucolumi omnium,
quos transduxerat, numero, in hiberna revertitur. Red-
datur verum L. Asprenati testimonium ; qui legatus sub
avunculo suo Varo militans, nava virilique opera duarum
legionum, quibus praeerat, exercitum immunem tanta cala-
mitate servavit ; matureque ad inferiora hiberna descendendo,
vacillantes jam cis Rhenum sitarum gentium animos con-
firmavit. Sunt tamen, qui, ut vivos ab eo vindicatos, ita
jugulatorum sub Varo occupata crediderint patrimonia, here-
ditatemque excisi exercitus, in quantum voluerit, ab eo adi-
tam. Lucii etiam Csedicii, praefecti castrorum, eorumque qui
una circumdati Alisone immensis Germanorum copiis obside-
bantur, laudanda virtus est ; qui, omnibus difficultatibus
superatis, quas inopia rerum intolerabiles, vis hostium faciebat
inexsuperabiles, nee temerario consilio, nee segni providentia
usi, sj)eculatique opportunitatem, ferro sibi ad suos peperere
reditum. Ex quo apparet Varum, sane gravem et bonte
voluntatis virum, magis imperatoris defectum consilio, quam
virtute destitutum militum, se magnificentissimumque perdi-
PROLEGOMENA. XC111
disse exercitum. Cum in captivos sseviretur a Geraianis, prse-
clari facinoris auctor fait Caldus Doelius, adolescens vetustate
farniliee suee dignissimus : qui, complexus catenarum, quibus
vinctus erat, seriem, ita illas illisit capiti [suo], ut protinus
pariter sanguinis cerebrique influvio exspiraret.
CXXI. Eaclem et virtus et fortuna subsequenti tempore
[ingressa animum] irnperatoris Tiberii fait, quse initio fuerat.
Qui, contusis hostium viribus, classicis peditumque expedi-
tionibus, cum res Galliarum maximse molis, accensasque ple-
bis Viennensium dissensiones, coercitione magis quam poana
mollisset ; et senatus populusque Eomanus, postulante patre
ejus, ut eequum ei jus in omnibus provinciis exercitibusque
esset [quam erat ipsi], decreto complexus esset. (Etenim
absurdum erat, non esse sub illo, quse ab illo vindicabantur ;
et qui ad opem ferendam primus erat, ad vindicandum
honorem non judicare parem) : in Urbem reversus, jam
pridem debitum, sed continuatione bellorum dilatum, ex Pan-
noniis Delmatisque egit triumpbum. Cujus magnificentiam
quis miretur in Oeesare ? Fortunee vero quis non miretur
indulgentiam I quippe omnes eminentissimos hostium duces,
non occisos fama narravit, sed vinctos triumphus ostendit.
Quem mihi, fratrique meo, inter prsecipuos prascipuisque
donis adornatos viros comitari contigit.
OXXII. Quis non inter reliqua, quibus singularis mode-
ratio Tib. Caesaris elucet atque eminet, hoc quoque miretur,
quod, cum sine ulla dubitatione septem triumphos meruerit,
tribus contentus fuerit I Quis enim dubitare potest, quin
ex Armenia recepta, et ex rege ei prseposito, cujus capiti
insigne regium sua manu imposuerat, ordinatisque rebus
Orientis, ovans triumphare debuerit ? et, Vindelicorum Ehse-
torumque victor, curru urbem ingredi ? Fractis deinde post
adoptionem continua triennii militia Germanias viribus, idem
illi honor et deferendus et recipiendus fuerit l et post cla-
dem sub Varo acceptam, ocius prosperrimo rerum eventu
eadem excisa Germania triumphum summi ducis adornare
debuerit ? Sed in hoc viro nescias, utrum magis mireris,
quod laborum periculorumque semper excessit modum, an,
quod honorem temperavit.
xciv THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
TACIT. ANN. I.
LV. Druso Csesare, C. Norbano consulibus, decernitur
Germanico triumphus, nianente bello ; quod quamquam in
sestatem summa ope parabat, initio veris, et repentino in
Cattos cxcursu, prrecepit : nam spes incesserat dissidere lios-
tem in Arrniniuni ac Segestem, insignem utrumque perfidia
in nos, aut fide. Arminius turbator Germanise : Segestes,
" parari rebellionem " ssepe alias, et supremo convivio, post
quod in arma itum, aperuit : suasitque Varo, " ut se, et
Arminium, et ceteros proceres vinciret : nihil ausuram
plebem, principibus amotis ; atque ipsi tempus fore, quo
crimina, et innoxios discerneret : ,1 sed Varus fato, et vi
Arminii cecidit. Segestes, quamquam consensu gentis in
bellum tractus, discors manebat, auctis privatim odiis, quod
Arminius filiam ejus, alii pactam, rapuerat ; gener invisus,
inimici soceri ; quaeque apud Concordes vincula caritatis, in-
citamenta irarum apud infensos erant.
LVI. Igitur Germanicus quatuor legiones, quinque auxi-
liarium millia, et tumultuarias catervas Germanorum cis
Rhenum colentium, Cfecinae tradit : totidem legiones, du-
plicem sociorum numerum ipse ducit ; positoque castello super
vestigia paterni prwsidii in monte Tauno, expeditum exercitum
in Cattos rapit ; L. Apronio ad munitiones viarum et flumi-
num relicto. Nam, rarum illi ccelo, siccitate, et amnibus
modicis inoftensum iter properaverat ; imbresque et fluminum
auctus regredienti metuebatur. Sed Cattis adeo improvisus
advenit, ut quod imbecillum aetate ac sexu, statim captum,
aut trucidatum sit. Juventus flumen Adranam nando tra-
miserat, Romanosque pontem coeptantes arcebant : dein tor-
mentis sagittisque pulsi, tentatis frustra conditionibus pacis,
cum quidam ad Germanicum perfugissent, reliqui, omissis
pagis vicisque, in silvas disperguntur. Caesar incenso Mattio
(id genti caput) aperta populatus, vertit ad Rhenum : non
auso hoste terga abeuntium lacessere, quod illi moris, quotiens
astu magis, quam per formidinem cessit. Fuerat animus
Cheruscis juvare Cattos, sed exterruit Caecina hue illuc ferens
arma ; et Marsos congredi ausos, prospero proslio cohibuit.
LVII. Neque multo post legati a Segeste venerunt, auxi-
lium orantes adversus vim popularium, a quis circumsede-
PROLEGOMENA. XCV
batur ; validiore apud eos Arminio, quando bellum suadebat.
Nam barbaris, quanto quis auclacia promptus, tanto magis
fidus, rebusque motis potior habetur. Addiderat Segestes
le^atis filium, nomine Segimundum : sed juvenis conscientia
cunctabatur : qnippe anno, quo Germanise descivere, sacerdos
apud Aram Ubiorum creatus, ruperat vittas, profugus ad
rebelles. Adductus tamen in spem clementiae Rouianae, per-
tulit patris mandata, benigneque exceptus cum praesidio
Gallicam in ripam missus est. Germanico pretium fuit, con-
vertere agmen : pugnatumque in obsidentes, et ereptus
Segestes magna cum propinquorum et clientium manu. In-
erant feminee nobiles, inter quas uxor Arminii, eademque filia
Segestis, mariti magis quam parentis animo, neque victa in
lacrimas, neque voce supplex, compressis intra sinum manibus,
gravidum uterum intuens. Ferebantur et spolia Varianse
cladis, plerisque eorum, qui turn in deditionem veniebant,
prsedse data. Simul Segestes ipse ingens visu, et memoria
bonae societatis impavidus : verba ejus in hunc modum fuere.
LVIII. " Non hie mihi primus erga populum Romanum
fidei . et constantiae dies : ex quo a divo Augusto civitate
donatus sum, amicos inimicosque ex vestris utilitatibus delegi :
neque odio patriae (quippe proditores, etiam iis quos ante-
ponunt, invisi sunt), verum quia Romanis Germanisque idem
conducere ; et pacem, quam bellum probabam. Ergo rapto-
rem filise meae, violatorem foederis vestri Arminium, apud
Varum, qui turn exercitui praesidebat, reum feci : dilatus
segnitia ducis, quia parurn praesidii in legibus erat, ut me, et
Arminium, et conscios vinciret, flagitavi. Testis ilia nox,
mihi utinam potius novissima ! Qua? secuta sunt, defleri
magis, quam defendi possunt : ceterum et injeci catenas
Arminio, et a factione ejus injectas perpessus sum. Atque
ubi primum tui copia, Vetera novis, et quieta turbidis ante-
habeo : neque ob praemium, sed ut me perfidia exsolvam ;
simul genti Germanorum idoneus conciliator, si poenitentiam
quam perniciem maluerit. Pro juventa et errore filii veniam
precor : filiam necessitate hue adductam fateor : tuum erit
consultare, utrum praevaleat, quod ex Arminio concepit, an
quod ex me genita est." Caesar, dementi responso, liberis
propinquisque ejus incolumitatem, ipsi sedem Vetera, in pro-
XCVl THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
vincia, pollicetur. Exercitum reduxit, nomenque imperatoria
auctore Tiberio accepit. Arminii uxor, virilis sexus stirpem
edidit : educatus Ravennse puer, quo mox ludibrio conflictatus
sit, in tempore memorabo.
LIX. Fama dediti benigneque excepti Segestis vulgata,
ut quibusque bellum invitis aut cupientibus erat, spe vel
dolore accipitur. Arminium, super insitam violentiam, rapta
uxor, subjectus servitio uxoris uterus, vecordern agebant :
volitabatque per Cheruscos, arma in Segestem, anna in
Caesarem poscens : neque probris temperabat. "Egregium
patrem ! magnum imperatorem ! fortem exercitum ! quorum
tot manns unam mulierculam avexeriut. Sibi tres legiones,
totidem legatos procubuisse. Non euim se proditione, neque
adversus feminaa gravidas, sed palam adversus armatos bellum
tractare : cerni adhuc Germanorum in lucis signa Romana,
quae diis patriis suspenderit: coleret Segestes victam ripam ;
redderet filio sacerdotium : hominem Germanos numquam
satis excusaturos, quod inter Albim et Rhenum virgas, et
secures, et togam viderint. Aliis gentibus, ignorantia im-
perii Romani, inexperta esse supplicia, nescia tributa : . quae
quando exuerint, inritusque discesserit ille inter numina dica-
tus Augustus, ille delectus Tiberius, ne imperitum adolescen-
tulum, ne seditiosum exercitum pavescerent. Si patriam,
parentes, antiqua mallent, quam dominos, et colonias novas ;
Arminium potius glorise ac libertatis, quam Segestem flagi-
tiosae servitutis ducem sequerentur."
LX. Conciti per haec non modo Cherusci, sed conterminse
gentes ; tractusque in partes Inguiomerus Arminii patruus,
veteri apud Romanos auctoritate : unde major Csesari metus :
et ne bellum mole una ingrueret, Caecinam cum quadraginta
cohortibus Romanis, distrahendo hosti, per Bructeros ad
flumen Amisiam mittit : equitem Pedo prtefectus, finibus
Frisiorum ducit : ipse impositas navibus quatuor legiones per
lacus vexit : simulque pedes, eques, classis, apud praedictum
amnem convenere. Chauci cum auxilia pollicerentur, in com-
militium adsciti sunt. Bructeros sua urentes, expedita cum
maim L. Stertinius, missu Germanici fudit, interque caedem et
praedam reperit undevicesimae legionis aquilam cum Varo
amissam. Ductum inde agmen ad ultimos Bructerorum :
PROLEGOMENA. XCVll
quantumque Amisiam et Luppiam amnes inter, vastatum ;
haud procul Teutoburgiensi saltu, in quo reliquiae Vari legi-
onumque insepultae dicebantur.
LXI. Igitur cupido Csesarem invadit solvendi suprema
militibus, ducique ; permoto ad miserationem orani, qui ad-
erat, exercitu, ob propinquos, amicos, denique ob casus bel-
le-rum et sortem hominum. Praemisso Cascina, nt occulta
saltuuni scrutaretur, pontesque et aggeres humido pallidum et
fallacious campis imponeret, incedunt mojstos locos, visuque ac
memoria deformes. Prima Vari castra, lato ambitu, et di-
mensis principiis, trium legionum manus ostentabant : dein
semiruto vallo, humili fossa, accisae jam reliquiae consedisse
intelligebantur : medio campi albentia ossa, ut fugerant, ut
restiterant, disjecta vel aggerata : adjacebant fragmina
telorum, equorumque artus, simul truncis arborum antefixa
ora ; lucis propinquis , barbarae arae, apud quas tribunos, ac
primorum ordinum centuriones mactaverant : et cladis ejus
superstites pugnam aut vincula elapsi, referebant, " hie ceci-
disse legatos ; illic raptas aquilas ; primum ubi vulnus Varo
adactum ; ubi infelici dextra, et suo ictu mortem invenerit :
quo tribunali concionatus Arminius ; quot patibula captivis,
quae scrobes ; utque signis et aquilis per superbiam inluserit.' n
LXII. Igitur Kiomanus, qui aderat, exercitus, sextum
post cladis annum, trium legionum ossa, nullo noscente alienas
reliquias an suorum humo tegeret, omnes ut conjunctos, ut
consanguineos, aucta in hostem ira, mcesti simul et infensi
condebant. Primum exstruendo tumulo cespitem Caesar
posuit, gratissimo munere in defunctos, et praesentibus doloris
socius. Quod Tiberio haud probatum ; seu cuncta Germanici
in deterius trahenti ; sive exercitum imagine caesorum inse-
pultorumque tardatum ad proelia, et formidolosiorem hostium
credebat : " neque imperatorem auguratu et vetustissimis
ceerimoniis praeditum, adtrectare feralia debuisse. 11
LXIII. Sed Germanicus cedentem in avia Arminium
secutus, ubi primum copia fuit, evehi equites, campumque,
quern hostis insederat, eripi jubet. Arminius colligi suos, et
propinquare silvis monitos, vertit repente ; mox signum pro-
rumpendi dedit iis, quos per saltus occultaverat. Tunc nova
acie turbatus eques, missaeque subsidiariae cohortes, et fugien-
h
XCviii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
tiimi agmine impulsae, auxerant consternationem : trudeban-
turque in paludem gnaram vincentibus, iniquam nesciis, ni
Caesar productas legiones instruxisset : inde hostibus terror,
fiducia militi : et manibus acquis abscessum. Mox reducto ad
Aruisiam exercitu, legiones classe, ut advexerat, reportat.
Pars equitum litore Oceani petere Rhenum jussa. Caecina,
qui suum militein ducebat, monitus, quamquam notis itineribus
regrederctur, pontes longos quam maturrime superare. An-
gustus is trames, vastas inter paludes, et quondam a L.
Domitio aggeratus : cetera limosa, tenacia gravi cceno, aut
rivis incerta erant : circum silvas paullatiui adclives ; quas
turn Arminius implevit, conipendiis viarum, et cito agmine,
onustum sarcinis armisque militem cum antevenisset. Ca>
cinae, dubitanti quonam modo ruptos vetustate pontes repo-
neret, simulque propulsaret hostem, castrametari in loco
placuit ; ut opus, et alii proclium inciperent.
LXIY. Barbari perfringere stationes, seque inferre muni-
toribus nisi, lacessunt, circumgrediuntur, occursant : miscetur
operantium bellantiumque clamor : et cuncta pariter Roinanis
adversa ; locus uligine profunda, idem ad gradum instabilis,
procedentibus lubricus ; corpora gravia loricis, neque librare
pila inter undas poterant. Contra Cheruscis sueta apud
paludes proelia, procera membra, hastae ingentes ad vulnera
facienda, quamvis procul : nox demum inclinantes turn legiones
adversae pugnae exemit. Germani ob prospera indefessi, ne
turn quidem sumpta quiete, quantum aquarum circumsurgen-
tibus jugis oritur, vertere in subjecta : mersaque humo, et
obruto quod effectum operis, duplicatus militi labor. Quadra-
gesimum id stipendium Cascina parendi aut imperitandi
habebat : secundarum ambiguarumque rerum sciens, eoque
interritus. Igitur futura volvens, non aliud reperit, quam
ut hostem silvis coerceret, donee saucii, quantum que gravioris
agminis, anteirent : nam medio montium et paludum porrige-
batur planicies, quae tenuem aciem pateretur. Deliguntur
legiones, quinta dextro lateri ; unaetvicesima in laevum ; pri-
mani ducendum ad agmen ; vicesimanus adversum secuturos.
LXV. Nox per diversa inquies : cum barbari festis epulis,
laeto cantu, aut truci sonore subjecta vallium ac resultantes
saltus complerent ; apud Romanos invalidi ignes, interruptae
PROLEGOMENA. XC1X
voces, atque ipsi passim adjacerent vallo, oberrarent tentoriis,
insomnes magis quam pervigiles. Ducemque terruit dira
quies : nam Quinctilium Varum sanguine oblitum, et palu-
dibus emersum, cernere et audire visus est, velut vocantem,
non tamen obsecutus, et manum intendentis repulisse.
Coepta luce, missse in latera legiones metu, an contumacia,
locum deseruere : capto propere campo, humentia ultra.
Neque tamen Arminius, quamquam libero incursu, statim
prorupit : sed ut hsesere C03110 fossisque impedimenta, turbati
circum milites, incertus signorum ordo, utque tali in tempore
sibi quisque properus, et lentee adversum imperia aures, ir-
rumpere Germanos jubet, clamitans, " En Varus, et eoclem
iterum fato victse legiones ! " Simul haec ; et cum delectis
scindit agmen, equisque maxime vulnera ingerit : illi sanguine
suo, et lubrico pallidum lapsentes, excussis rectoribus disjicere
obvios, proterere jacentes : plurimus circa aquilas labor, quae
neque adversum ferri ingruentia tela, neque figi limosa humo
poterant. Csecina dum sustentat aciem, suffosso equo dela-
psus circumveniebatur, ni prima legio sese opposuisset : juvit
hostium aviditas, omissa csede, praedam sectantium ; enisaeque
legiones, vesperascente die, in aperta et solida : neque is
miseriarum finis : struendum vallum, petendus agger : amissa
magna ex parte, per quae egeritur humus, aut exciditur
cespes : non tentoria manipulis, non fomenta sauciis : infectos
coeno aut cruore cibos dividentes, funestas tenebras, et tot
hominum millibus unum jam reliquum diem lamentabantur.
LXVI. Forte equus abruptis vinculis vagus, et clamore
territus, quosdam occurrentium obturbavit : tanta inde con-
sternatio inrupisse Germanos credentium, ut cuncti ruerent ad
portas ; quarum Decumana maxime petebatur, aversa hosti,
et fugientibus tutior. Csecina, comperto vanam esse formi-
dinem, cum tamen neque auctoritate, neque precibus, ne
manu quidem obsistere, aut retinere militem quiret ; projectus
in limine porta?, miseratione demum, quia per corpus legati
eundum erat, clausit viam : simul tribuni et centuriones
falsum pavorem docuerunt.
LXVII. Tunc contractos in principia, jussosque dicta
cum silentio accipere, temporis ac necessitatis monet. " Unam
in armis salutem, sed ea consilio temperanda : manendumque
h 2
C THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
intra vallum, donee expugnandi liostes spe, propius succede-
rent : mox undique erumpendum : ilia eruptione ad Rhenura
pcrveniri : quod si fugerent, plures silvas, profundas magis
paludes, ssevitiam hostium superesse : at victoribus decus,
gloriam : quae domi cara, quae in castris honesta, 11 memorat :
reticuit de adversis. Equos dehinc, orsus a suis, legatorum
tribunorumque nulla ambitione, fortissimo cuique bellatori
tradit, ut hi, mox pedes, in hostem invaderent.
LXVIII. Haud minus inquies Germanus, spe, citpidine,
et diversis ducum sententiis agebat : Arminio, " sinerent
egredi, egressosque rursum per humida et impedita cireum-
venirent," suadente : atrociora Inguiomero, et laeta barbaris,
" ut vallum armis ambirent : promptam expugnationem, plures
captivos, incorruptam praedam fore.'' 1 Igitur orta die, pro-
ruunt fossas, injiciunt crates, summa valli prensant, raro super
milite, et quasi ob metum defixo. Postquam hsesere muni-
mentis, datur cohortibus signum, cornuaque ac tubas con-
cinuere : exin clamore et impetu tergis Germanorum circum-
funduntur exprobrantes, "non hie silvas, nee paludes, sed
acquis locis tequos deos." Hosti, facile excidium, et paucos et
semermos cogitanti, sonus tubarum, fulgor armorum, quanto
inopina, tanto majora offunduntur ; cadebantque, ut rebus
secundis avidi, ita adversis incauti. Arminius integer, Inguio-
merus post grave vulnus, pugnam deseruere ; vulgus truci-
datum est, donee ira et dies permansit. Nocte demum
reversal legiones, quamvis plus vulnerum, eadem ciborum
egestas fatigaret, vim, sanitatem, copias, cuncta in victoria
habuere.
LXIX. Pervaserat interim " circumventi exercitus" fama,
et " infesto Germanorum agmine Gallias peti : " ac ni Agrip-
pina impositum Rheno pontem solvi prohibuisset, erant qui
id flagitium formidine auderent : sed femina ingens animi,
munia ducis per eos dies induit, militibusque ut quis inops,
aut saucius 5 vestem et fomenta dilargita est. Tradit 0.
Plinius, Germanicorum bellorum scrip tor, stetisse apud prin-
cipium pontis, laudes et grates reversis legionibus habentem.
Id Tiberii animum altius penetravit. " Non enim simplices
eas curas : nee adversus externos militem quasri : nihil re-
lictum imperatoribus, ubi femina manipulos intervisat, signa
PROLEGOMENA. ci
adeat, largitionem tentet, tamquam parum ambitiose filium
ducis gregali liabitu circumferat. Csesaremque Caligularn ap-
pellari velit. Potiorem jam apud exercitus Agrippinam,
quam legatos, quam duces : compressam a muliere seditionem,
cui nomen principis obsistere non quiverit." Accendebat hsec
onerabatque Sejanus, peritia morum Tiberii, odia in longum
jaciens, quse reconderet, auctaque promeret.
LXX. At Germanicus legionum, quas navibus vexerat,
secundam et quartamdecimam itinere terrestri P. Vitellio
ducendas tradit, quo levior classis vadoso mari innaret, vel
reciproco sideret. Vitellius primum iter sicca humo, aut
modice adlabente sestu, quietum habuit. Mox impulsu aqui-
lonis, simul sidere sequinoctii, quo maxime tumescit Oceanus,
rapi agique agmen : et opplebantur terrse : eaclem freto, litori,
campis facies : neque discerni poterant incerta ab solidis,
brevia a profundis. Sternuntur fluctibus, hauriuntur gurgi-
tibus : jumenta, sarcinse, corpora exanima interfluunt, occur-
sant : permiscentur inter se manipuli, modo pectore, modo
ore tenus exstantes, aliquando subtracto solo disjecti aut
obruti : non vox, et mutui hortatus juvabant, adversante
unda : nihil strenuus ab ignavo, sapiens ab imprudenti, con-
silia a casu differre : cuncta pari violentia involvebantur.
Tandem Vitellius in editiora enisus, eodem agmen subduxit :
pernoctavere sine utensilibus, sine igni, magna pars nudo aut
mulcato corpore, haud minus miserabiles, quam quos hostis
circumsidet : quippe illis etiam honestas mortis usus, his in-
glorium exitium : lux reddidit terrain ; penetratumque ad
amnem Unsingin, quo Csesar classe contenderat : impositae
deinde legiones, vagante fama submersas; nee fides salutis,
antequam Csesarem exercitumque reducem videre.
LXXI. Jam Stertinius ad accipiendum in deditionem
Segimerum fratrem Segestis prsemissus, ipsum et filium ejus
in civitatem Ubiorum perduxerat : data utrique venia, facile
Segimero, cunctantius filio : quia Qumctilii Vari corpus in-
lusisse dicebatur. Oeterum ad supplenda exercitus damna
certavere Gallise, Hispanias, Italia ; quod cuique promptum,
arma, equos, aurum offerentes : quorum laudato studio Ger-
manicus, armis modo et equis ad bellum sumptis, propria
pecunia militem juvit. Utque cladis memoriam etiam comi-
Cll THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
tate leniret, circumire saucios; facta singulorum extollere ;
vulnera intuens, alium spe, alium gloria, cunctos alloquio et
cura, sibique et prcelio firmabat.
TACIT. ANN. II.
V. Ceterum Tiberio hautl ingratum accidit turbari res
Orientis, ut .ea specie Germanicum suetis legionibus abstra-
beret ; novisque provinciis impositum, dolo simul et casibus
objectaret. At ille, quanto acriora in eum studia militura, et
aversa patrui voluntas, celerandse victorias intentior, tractare
prccliorum vias, et quae sibi tertium jam annum belligeranti
saeva vel prospera evenissent : "fundi Germanos acie et justis
locis ; juvari silvis, paludibus, brevi estate, et praematura
hieme: suum militem baud perinde vulneribus, quam spatiis
itinerant, damno armorum adfici : fessas Gallias ministrandis
equis : longum impedimentorum agmen, opportunum ad in-
sidias, defensantibus iniquum. At si mare intretur, prom-
|)t;mi ipsia possessionem, et liostibus ignotam : simul bellum
maturius incipi, legionesque et commeatus pariter vein : in-
tegrum equitem, equosque, per ora et alveos fluminum media
in Germania fore."
VI. Igitur buc iutendit : missis ad census Galliarum,
P. Vitellio et C. Antio; Silius, et Anteius, et Carina fabri-
candse classi prscponuntur. Mille naves sufficere visas, pro-
peratseque : alia? breves, angusta puppi proraque, et lato utero,
quo facilius fluctos tolerarent : quaedaui planse carinis, ut sine
noxa siderent : plures, adpositis utrimque gubernaculis, con-
verso ut repente remigio, hinc vel illinc adpellerent : multas
pontibus stratae, super quas tormenta veherentur, simul aptae
ferendis equis aut commeatui, velis habiles, citse remis, auge-
bantur alacritate militum in speciem ac terrorem. Insula
Batavorum in quam convenirent praedicta, ob faciles adpulsus,
accipiendisque copiis, et transmittendum ad bellum opportuna.
Nam Rhenus uno alveo continuus, aut modicas insulas cir-
cumveniens, apud principium agri Batavi, velut in duos amnes
dividitur, servatque nomen et violentiam cursus, qua Ger-
maniam praevehitur, donee Oceano misceatur : ad Gallicam
ripam latior et placidior adfluens, verso cognomento Vahalem
accolae dicunt : mox id quoque vocabulum mutat Mosa
PROLEGOMENA. ciii
flumine, ejusque immenso ore eundem in Oceanum effun-
ditur.
VII. Sed Osesar, dum adiguntur naves, Silium legatum
cum expedita inarm inruptionem m Oattos facere jubet : ipse,
audito castellum Luppias flumini adpositum obsideri, sex
legiones eo duxit. Neque Silk- ob subitos imbres aliud
actum, quain ut modicam prsedam, et Arpi principis Oattorum
conjugem filiamque raperet : neque Ceesari copiam pugnse
obsessores fecere, ad famam adventus ejus dilapsi. Tumulum
tamen nuper Varianis legionibus structum, et veterem aram
Druso sitam disjecerant : restituit aram ; honorique patris
princeps ipse cum legionibus decucurrit. Tumulum iterare
haud visum : et cuncta inter castellum Alisonem, ac Rhenum,
novis limitibus, aggeribusque permunita.
VIII. Jamque classis advenerat, cum prsemisso commeatu,
et distributis in legiones ac socios navibus, fossam, cui Drusianse
nomen, ingressus, precatusque Drusum patrem, " ut se eadem
ausum, libens placatusque exemplo ac memoria consiliorum
atque operum juvaret : " lacus inde et Oceanum usque ad
Amisiam flumen secunda navigatione pervehitur : classis
Amisiss relicta, Isevo amne ; erratumque in eo, quod non
subvexit : transposuit militem dextras in terras iturum : ita
plures dies efficiendis pontibus absumpti. Et eques quidem
ac legiones prima sestuaria, nondum adcrescente unda, iutre-
pidi transiere : postremum auxiliorum agmen, Batavique in
parte ea, dum insultant aquis, artemque nandi ostentant, tur-
bati, et quidam hausti sunt. Metanti castra Caesari Angriva-
riorum defectio a tergo nuntiatur : missus illico Stertinius
cum equite et armatura levi, igne et ceedibus perfidiam ultus
est.
IX. Flumen Visurgis Eomanos Cheruscosque interfluebat :
ejus in ripa cum ceteris primoribus Arminius adstitit, qusesi-
toque " an Csesar venisset ? " postquam " adesse " responsum
est, " ut liceret cum fratre conloqui " oravit. Erat is in exer-
citu cognomento Flavius, insignis fide, et amisso per vulnus
oculo paucis ante annis, duce Tiberio : tam permissum ; pro-
gressusque salutatur ab Arminio : qui amotis stipatoribus ;
" ut sagittarii nostra pro ripa dispositi abscederent,'" postulat ;
et postquam digressi, " unde ea cleformitas oris ? " interrogat
civ THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
fratrem : illo locum, et proelium referente, " quodnam praemium
recepisset " exquirit. Flavius " aucta stipendia, torquem, et
coronam, aliaque militaria dona" memorat, inridente Arminio
vilia servitii pretia.
X. Exin diversi ordiuntur : hie " magnitudinem Roma-
nam, opes Csesaris, et victis graves pcenas ; in deditionera
venienti paratam clementiam ; neque conjugem et filium ejus
hostiliter haberi." Ille " fas patriae, libertatem avitam, pene-
t rales Germanise deos, matrem precum soeiam ; ne propin-
quorum et adfinium, denique gentis suae desertor et proditor,
quam imperator esse mallet." Paullatim iixle ad jurgia pro-
lapsi, quominus pugnam consererent, ue flumiue quidem inter-
jecto cohibebantur; ne Stertinius adcurrens, plenum irse,
" armaque et equum " poscentem Flavium attinuisset. Oerne-
batur contra minitabundus Arminius, proeliumque denuntians :
nam pleraque Latino sermone interjaciebat, ut qui Romanis in
castris ductor populariuin meruisset.
XL Postero die, Germanorum acies trans Visurgim
stetit. Csesar, nisi pontibus prsesidiisque impositis, dare in
discrimen legiones baud imperatorium ratus, equitem vado
tramittit : pracfuere Stertinius, et e numero primipilarium
iEmilius, distantibus locis invecti, ut hostem diducerent.
Qua celerrimus amnis, Cariovalda dux Batavorum erupit :
eum Cherusci fugam simulantes, in planitiem saltibus circum-
jectam traxere : dein coorti, et undique effusi trudunt ad-
versos, instant cedentibus, collectosque in orbem, pars con-
gressi, qui dam eminus proturbant. Cariovalda, diu sustentata
hostium saevitia, hortatus suos ut ingruentes catervas globo
frangerent, atque ipse in densissimos inrumpens, congestis telis
et suffosso equo labitur, ac multi nobilium circa : ceteros vis
sua, aut equites cum Stertinio iEmilioque subvenientes, peri-
culo exemere.
XII. Csesar transgressus Visurgim, indicio perfugae cog-
noscit, "' delectum ab Arminio locum pugnse ; convenisse et
alias nationes in silvam Herculi sacram, ausurosque nocturnam
castrorum oppugnationem." Habita indici fides, et cerne-
bantur ignes ; suggressique propius speculatores " audiri fre-
mitum equorum, immensique et inconditi agminis murmur "
attulere. Igitur propinquo summee rei discrimine, explo-
PROLEGOMENA. CV
randos rnilitum animos ratus, quonam id modo incorruptum
foret, secum agitabat : " Tribunos et centuriones lseta saepius
quam comperta nuntiare ; libertorum servilia ingenia ; amicis
inesse adulationem : si concio vocetur, illic quoque, quae pauci
incipiant, reliquos adstrepere : penitus noscendas mentes, cum
secreti et incustoditi, inter militares cibos, spem aut raetum
proferrent."' 1
XIII. Nocte coepta, egressus augurali, per occulta et
vigilibus ignara, comite uno, contectus humeros ferina pelle,
adit castrorum vias, adsistit tabernaculis, fruiturque fama sui :
cum hie " nobilitatem ducis," " decorem " alius, pluriori " pa-
tientiam, comitatera, per seria, per jocos eumdem animuni, - "
laudibus ferrent : " reddendamque gratiam in acie 11 faterentur :
simul " perfidos et ruptores pacis, ultioni et glorise mactandos."
Inter quae unus hostiuni Latinae linguae' sciens, acto ad vallum
equo, voce magna, "conjuges, et agros, et stipendii in dies,
donee bellaretur, sestertios centenos, si quis transfugisset,"
Arminii nomine pollicetur. Incendit ea contumelia legionum
iras : " veniret dies, daretur pugna : sumpturum militem
Germanorum agros, tracturum conjuges : accipere omen, et
matrimonia ac pecunias hostium praedae destinare." Tertia
ferme vigilia adsultatum est castris, sine conjectu teli, post-
quam crebras pro munimentis cohortes, et nihil remissum
sensere.
XIV. Nox eadem laetam Grermanico quietem tulit, vidit-
que se operatum, et sanguine sacro respersa praetexta, pul-
chriorem aliam manibus aviae Augustas accepisse. Auctus
omine, addicentibus auspiciis, vocat concionem, et quae sapi-
entia praevisa, aptaque imminenti pugnae, disserit. " Non
compos modo militi Romano ad proelium bonos, sed si ratio
adsit, silvas et saltus : nee enim immensa barbarorum scuta,
enormes hastas, inter truncos arborum, et enata liumo vir-
gulta, perinde haberi quam pila, et gladios, et haerentia
corpori tegmina : densarent ictus, ora mucronibus quaererent :
non loricam Gfermano, non galeam ; ne scuta quidem ferro
nervove firmata, sed viminum textus, vel tenues et fucatas
colore tabulas : primam utcumque aciem hastatam ; ceteris,
praeusta aut brevia tela : jam corpus, ut visu torvum, et ad
brevem impetum validum, sic nulla vulnerum patientia : sine
CV1 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
piulore flagitii, sine cura ducum, abire, fugere ; pavidoa ad-
versis ; inter seeunda, non divini, non humani juris memores.
Si tsedio viarum ac maris finem cupiant, hac acie parari :
propiorem jam Albim, quam Rhenum : neque bellum ultra,
modo se patris patruique vestigia prementem, iisdem in terris
victorem sisterent." Orationem ducis secutus militum ardor ;
signumqne pngnas datum.
XV. Nee Arminius, aut ceteri Germanorum proceres
omittebant suos quisque testari : " Hos esse Romanos Variani
exercitus fugacissimos, qui ne bellum tolerarent, seditionem
induerint : quorum pars onusta vulneribus tergum, pars fluc-
tibus et procellis fractos artus, infensis rursum hostibus,
adversis diis, objiciant, nulla boni spe. Classem quippe et avia
Oceani qusesita, ne quis venientibus occurreret, ne pulsos
premeret : sed ubi miscuerint manus, inane victis ventorum
remorumque subsidium. Meminissent modo avaritise, crudeli-
tatis, superbiae : aliud sibi reliquum, quam tenere libertatem,
aut mori ante servitium I "
XVI. Sic accensos et proelium poscentes in campum, cui
Idistaviso nomen, deducunt : is medius inter Visurgim et
colles, ut ripae fluminis cedunt, aut prominentia montium
resistant, insequaliter sinuatur : pone tergum insurgebat silva,
editis in altum ramis, et pura humo inter arborum truncos.
Campum et prima silvarum, barbara acies tenuit : soli Che-
rusci juga insedere, ut proeliantibus Romanis desuper incurre-
rent. Noster exercitus sic incessit : auxiliares Galli, Ger-
manique in fronte : post quos pedites sagittarii : dein quatuor
legiones, et cum duabus prsetoriis cohortibus, ac delecto
equite Caesar : exin totidem alise legiones, et levis armatura
cum equite sagittario, ceterseque sociorum cohortes. Intentus
paratusque miles, ut ordo agminis in aciem adsisteret.
XVII. Visis Cheruscorum catervis, quae per ferociam
proruperant, validissimos equitum incurrere latus, Stertinium
cum ceteris turmis circumgredi, tergaque invadere jubet, ipse
in tempore adfuturus. Interea pulcherrimum augurium, octo
aquilee petere silvas, et intrare visse, imperatorem advertere :
exclamat, " Irent, sequerentur Romanas aves, propria legio-
num numina." Simul pedestris acies infertur ; et prsemissus
eques, postremos ac latera impulit. Mirumque dictu, duo
PROLEGOMENA. CVll
hostium agmina diversa fuga, qui silvam tenuerant, in aperta,
qui campis adstiterant, in silvam ruebant : medii inter hos
Cherusci, collibus detrudebantur : inter quos insignis Armi-
nius manu, voce, vulnere, sustentabat pugnam : incubuerat-
que sagittariis, ilia rupturus, ni Rhsetorum Vindelicorunique,
et Gallicse cohortes signa objecissent : nisu tamen corporis, et
impetu equi pervasit, oblitus faciem suo cruore, ne nosceretur :
quidam " agnitum a Chaucis inter auxilia Romana agentibus,
emissumque" tradiderunt. Virtus, seu fraus eadem, Inguio-
mero effugium dedit : ceteri passim trucidati. Et plerosque
tranare Visurgim conantes, injecta tela ant vis fluminis post-
remo moles ruentium, et incidentes ripse, operuere. Quidam
turpi fuga in summa arborum nisi, ramisque se occultantes,
admotis sagittariis per ludibrium figebantur : alios prorata?
arbores adflixere. Magna ea victoria, neque cruenta nobis
fuit.
XVIII. Quinta ab hora diei ad noctem csesi hostes,
decern millia passuum cadaveribus atque armis opplevere ;
repertis inter spolia eorum catenis, quas in Romanos, ut non
dubio eventu, portaverant. Miles in loco proelii, Tiberium
Imperatorem salutavit, struxitque aggerem, et in modum
tropbeeorum arma, subscriptis victarum gentium nominibus,
imposuit.
XIX. Haud perinde Grermanos vulnera, luctus, excidia,
quam ea species dolore et ira adfecit : qui modo abire sedi-
bus, trans Albim concedere parabant, pugnam volunt, arma
rapiunt : plebes, primores, juventus, senes, agmen Romanum
repente incursant, turbant : postremo deligunt locum, flumine
et silvis clausum, arcta intus planitie, et humida : silvas
quoque profunda palus ambibat, nisi quod latus unum Angri-
varii lato aggere extulerant, quo a Olieruscis dirimerentur :
hie pedes adstitit; equitem propinquis lucis texere, ut in-
gressis silvam legionibus a tergo foret.
XX. Nihil ex iis Osesari incognitum : consilia, locos,
prompta, occulta noverat, astusque hostium in perniciem ipsis
vertebat. Seio Tuberoni legato tradit equitem, campumque :
peditum aciem ita instruxit, ut pars sequo in silvam aditu
incederet, pars objectum aggerem eniteretur : quod arduum,
sibi ; cetera legatis permisit. Quibus plana eveneraiit, facile
cviii the Germany of tacitus.
imupere : quis impugnandus agger, ut si murum succederent,
gravibus superne ictibus conflictabantur. Sensit dux impa-
rem cominus pugnam. remotisque paullum legionibus, fundi-
tores libratoresque excutere tela, et proturbare hosteni jubet :
missse e tormentis hastse, quantoque conspicui magis propu-
gnatores, tanto pluribus vulneribus dejecti. Primus Ca3sar
cum pretoriis coliortibus, capto vallo, dedit impetum in
silvas: conlato illic gradu certatum : hostem a tergo palus,
Romanos flumen aut montes elaudebant : utrisque necessitas
in loco, spes in vii'tute, salus ex victoria.
XXI. Nee minor Germanis animus, sed genere pugnse
et armorum superabantur ; cum ingens multitudo, arctis locis,
prselongas hastas non protenderet, non colligeret, neque
adsultibus et velocitate corporum uteretur, coacta stabile ad
proelium : contra miles, cui scutum pectori adpressum, et in-
sidenscapulo man us, latos barbarorum artus, nuda ora foderet,
viamque strage hostium aperiret : imprompto jam Arminio,
ob continua pericula, sive ilium recens acceptum vulnus tar-
daverat. Quin et Inguiomerum tota volitantem acie, fortuna
magis quam virtus deserebat : et Germanicus, quo magis
adgnosceretur, detraxerat tegimen capiti, orabatque " in-
sisterent cacdibus, nil opus captivis, solam internecionem
gentis finem bello fore. 1 ' Jamque sero diei subducit ex acie
legionem, faciendis castris : cetera? ad noctem cruore hos-
tium satiatse sunt : equites ambigue certavere.
XXII. Laudatis pro concione victoribus, Caesar con-
geriem armorum struxit, superbo cum titulo : debellatis
INTER RHENUM ALBUIQUE NATIONIBUS EXERCITUM TIBERII C^ESARIS
EA MONIMENTA MARTI ET JOVI ET AUGUSTO SACRA VISSE : de Se
nihil addidit, metu invidise, an ratus conscientiam factis satis
esse. Mox bellum in Angrivarios Stertinio mandat, ni
deditionem properavissent : atque illi supplices, nihil ab-
nuendo, veniam omnium accepere.
XXIII. Sed sestate jam adulta, legionum alise itinere
terrestri in hibernacula remissa? : plures Csesar classi impo-
sitas per flumen Amisiam Oceano invexit. Ac primo pla-
cidum sequor mille navium remis strepere, aut velis impelli :
mox atro nubium globo effusa grando : simul variis undique
procellis, incerti fluctus prospectum adimere, regimen impe-
PROLEGOMENA. C1X
dire : milesque pavidus, et casuum maris ignarus, dum turbat
nautas, vel intempestive juvat, officia prudentium corrumpe-
bat : omne dehinc coelum, et mare omne in austrum cessit,
qui tumidis Germanise terris, profundis amnibus, immenso
nubium tractu validus, et rigore vicini septemtrionis horri-
dior, rapuit disjecitque naves in aperta Oceani, aut insulas
saxis abruptis, vel per occulta vada infestas. Quibus paul-
lum 83greque vitatis, postquam mutabat sestus, eodemque
quo ventus ferebat ; non adhserere anchoris, non exhaurire
inrumpentes undas poterant : equi, jumenta, sarcinse, etiam
arma pra?cipitantur, quo levarentur alvei manantes per latera,
et fluctu superurgente.
XXIV. Quanto violentior cetero mari Oceanus, et tru-
culentia cceli prsestat Germania, tantum ilia clades novitate
et magnitudine excessit, hostilibus circum litoribus, aut ita
vasto et profundo, ut credatur novissimum ac sine terris
mare : pars navium haustse sunt ; plures, apud insulas longius
sitas ejectse : milesque nullo illic hominum cultu, fame ab-
sumptus, nisi quos corpora equorum eodem elisa tolerave-
rant. Sola Germanici triremis Chaucorum terram adpulit ;
quem per omnes illos dies noctesque, apud scopulos et pro-
minentes oras, cum " se tanti exitii reum " clamitaret, vix
cobibuere amici, quominus eodem mari oppeteret. Tandem
relabente sestu, et secundante vento, claudee naves, raro
remigio, aut intentis vestibus, et qusedam a validioribus
tractse, revertere : quas raptim refectas misit, ut scrutarentur
insulas : collecti ea cura plerique : multos Angrivarii nuper
in fidem accepti, redemptos ab interioribus reddidere : quidam
in Britanniam rapti, et remissi a regulis. Ut quis ex longin-
quo revenerat, " miracula " narrabant, " vim turbinum, et
inauditas volucres, monstra maris, ambiguas hominum et
belluarum formas r 11 visa, sive ex metu credita.
XXV. Sed fama classis amissse, ut Germanos ad spem
belli, ita Csesarem ad coercendum erexit. 0. Silio cum
triginta peditum, tribus equitum millibus ire in Oattos im-
perat : ipse majoribus copiis Marsos inrumpit : quorum dux
Malovendns nuper in deditionem acceptus, " propinquo luco
defossam Variant legionis aquilam modico prsesidio servari"
indicat. Missa extemplo manus, quae hostem a fronte eli-
OX THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
ceret, alii qui terga circumgressi recluderent humum : et
utrisque admit fortmia. Eo promptior Caesar pergit in-
trorsus, populatur, exscindit non ausum congredi hostem :
aut sicubi restiterat, statim pulsum, nee umquam magis, ut
ex captivis cognitum est, paventein. Quippe " invictos et
nullis casibus superabiles Romanos " praxlicabant, " qui perdita
classe, amissis armis, post constrata equorum virorumque
corporibus litora, eadem virtute, pari ferocia, et veluti aucti
numero mrupissent."
XXVI. Reductus inde in hiberna miles, laetus aninii,
quod adversa maris, expeditione prospera pensavisset : ad-
didit munificentiam Csesar, quantum quis damni professus
crat, exsolvendo. Nee dubium habebatur, labare hostes,
petendasque pacis consilia sumere, et si proxima sestas ad-
jiceretur, posse bellum patrari : sed crebris epistolis Tiberius
monebat, " rediret ad decretum triumplmm : satis jam even-
tuum, satis casuum : prospera illi et magna proclia : eorum
quoque meminisset, qua? venti et fluctus, nulla ducis culpa,
gravia tamen et saeva damn a intulissent : se novies a divo
Augusto in Germaniam missum, plura consilio quam vi per-
fecisse. Sic Sugambros in deditionem acceptos, sic Suevos,
regemque Maroboduum, pace obstrictum : posse et Cheru-
scos, ceterasque rebellium gentes, quando Romance ultioni
consultum esset, internis discordiis relinqui. , ' > Precante Ger-
manico annum efficiendis coeptis, acrius modestiam ejus ad-
greditur, alterum cousulatum offerendo, cujus munia prsesens
obiret : simul adnectebat, " si foret adhuc bellandum, relin-
queret materiem Drusi fratris glorise, qui nullo turn alio
boste, nonnisi apud Germanias adsequi nomen imperatorium,
et deportare lauream posset." Haud cunctatus est ultra
Germanicus, quamquam fmgi ea seque per invidiam parto
jam decori abstrahi intelligeret.
TAC. ANN. II.
XLIV. Nee multo post Drusus in Illyricum missus est,
ut suesceret militise, studiaque exercitus pararet ; simul juve-
nem urbano luxu lascivientem melius in castris haberi Ti-
berius, seque tutiorem rebatur, utroque filio legiones obti-
nente. Sed Suevi prastendebantur, auxilium adversus Che-
PROLEGOMENA. CXl
ruscos orantes : nam discessu Romanorum, ac vacui externo
metu, gentis adsuetudine, turn et seniulatione gloriee, arma
in se verterant : vis nationum, virtus ducum in aequo : sed
Maroboduum regis nomen invisum apud populares ; Armi-
nium pro libertate bellantem favor habebat.
XLV. Igitur non modo Oherusci sociique eorum, vetus
Arrninii miles, sumpsere bellum : sed e regno etiam Maro-
bodui Suevse gentes, Semnones ac Langobardi, defecere ad
eum : quibus additis prsepollebat, ni Inguiomerus cum manu
clientium ad Maroboduum perfugisset ; non aliam ob causam,
quam quia fratris filio juveni, patruus senex parere dedig-
nabatur. Diriguntur acies pari utrimque spe, nee ut olim
apud Geraianos vagis incursibus, aut disjectas per catervas :
quippe longa adversum nos militia, insueverant sequi signa,
subsidiis firmari, dicta imperatorum accipere. At tunc Ar-
minius equo conlustrans cuncta, ut quosque advectus erat :
" Reciperatam libertatem, trucidatas legiones, spolia adhuc
et tela Romanis derepta, in manibus multorum " ostentabat :
contra " fugacem Maroboduum " appellans, " proeliorum ex-
pertem, Hercynise latebris defensum, ac mox per dona et
legationes petivisse foedus, proditorem patriae, satellitem
Ceesaris, haud minus infensis animis exturbandum, quam
Varum Quinctilium interfecerint : meminissent modo tot prce-
liorum, quorum eventu, et ad postremum ejectis Romanis,
satis probatum, penes utros gumma belli fuerit."
XLVI. Neque Maroboduus jactantia sui, aut probrig in
hostem abstinebat : sed Inguiomerum tenens, '" Illo in corpore
decus omne Oheruscorum, illius consiliis gesta, quae prospere
ceciderint,"" testabatur : " vecordem Arminium, et rerum ne-
scium, alienam gloriam in se trahere, quoniam tres vacuas
legiones et ducem fraudis ignarum perfidia deceperit, magna
cum clade Germanise, et ignominia sua, cum conjunx, cum
filius ejus, servitium adhuc tolerent. At se duodecim legi-
onibus petitum duce Tiberio, illibatam Germanorum gloriam
servavisse : mox conditionibus acquis discessum : neque poeni-
tere quod ipsorum in manu sit, integrum adversus Romanos
bellum, an pacem incruentam 11^111^." His vocibus instinctos
exercitus, proprise quoque causae stimulabant: cum a Che-
ruscis Langobardisque, pro antiquo decore, aut recenti liber-
CXii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
tate ; et contra, augendse dominationi certaretur. Non alias
majore mole concursum, neque ambigiio magis eventu, fusis
utrimque dextris cornibus. Sperabaturque rursum pugna,
ni Maroboduus castra in colles subdnxisset. Id signum
perculsi fuit : et transfugis paullatim nudatus, in Marcoman-
nos concessit, misitque legatos ad Tiberium oraturos auxilia.
Responsum est, " non jure enra adversus Cheruscos arma
Romana invocare, qui pugnantes in enmdem liostem Ro-
manos nulla ope juvisset." Missus tamen Drusus, ut retu-
limus, pacis firmator.
TACIT. ANN. II.
LXXXVIII. Reperio apud scriptores senatoresque eo-
rumdem temporum, Adgandcstrii, principis Cattorum, lectas
in senatu literas, quibus " mortem Arminii " promittebat, " si
patrandae neci venerium mitteretur :" responsumque esse,
" non fraude, neque occnltis, sed palam et armatum populum
Romanum hostes suos ulcisci :" qua gloria rcquabat se Ti-
berius priscis imperatoribus, qui venenum in Pyrrhum regem
vetuerant, prodiderantque. Ceterum Arminius, abscedenti-
bus Romanis, et pulso Maroboduo, regnum adfectans, liber-
tatem popularium adversam habuit : petitusque armis, cum
varia fortuna certaret, dolo propinquorum cecidit : liberator
baud dubie Germanise, et qui non primordia populi Roinaui,
sicut alii reges ducesque, sed florentissimum imperium laces-
sierit : procliis ambiguus, bello non victus : se]Dtem et triginta
annos vitce, duodecim potential explevit : caniturque adhuc
barbaras apud gentes ; Grsccorum annalibus ignotus, qui sua
tantum mirantur : Romanis baud perinde Celebris, dum Ve-
tera extollimus, recentium incuriosi.
Additional data may be collected from Dio Cassius
(lvi. 18 — 24) ; but the extracts have already been so lengthy
as to leave room only for the remarks of Niebuhr.
LECTUKES CIX. CX.
The German wars, which commenced in 740, were the
consequence of the conquests in the Alps. The Sigambri
seem before this time to have invaded the left bank of the
Rhine in our neighbourhood ; but they had been repelled by
PROLEGOMENA. CXlll
the Romans, who advanced as far as the westward, though
they did not make any conquests. In 740 the Romans
attacked the Germans both on the Danube and on the Lower
Rhine. The fact that such attacks were never made on the
Upper Rhine, as far down as the river Lahn, shows that
Suabia was not then a German country ; it did not become
one until the Alemanni settled there. All we know about
this war is vague and indefinite, and the account in Dion
Oassius is unfortunately mutilated. It may have been in
these campaigns that, as my friend Roth conjectures, Domi-
tius Ahenobarbus penetrated into Germany across the Elbe
in Bohemia ; for, in the subsequent invasions, we mostly find
the Romans marching towards the Elbe from the Lower
Rhine. The war was conducted by Tiberius 1 younger
brother, Nero Claudius Drusus, in three campaigns. He
advanced from the Lower Rhine across the Weser, as far as
the Elbe, and subdued the Bructeri, Sigambri (who were
then very renowned), Cherusci, and other tribes. The
details of his campaign are not known, and localities are
scarcely ever mentioned. Since the Germans had no towns,
their only protection was the impassable nature of their
country ; for they had no fortified places ; and, when they
met the Romans in the open field, they were usually beaten,
being unable to resist the military skill of the Romans.
Their country was now ravaged; women and children were
carried off into slavery, and the men were put to death like
wild beasts ; for, although Drusus was otherwise of a mild
disposition, considering what the Romans then were, yet he
was, like Varus, a great sinner (a\trr]pio<;) towards the
Germans. He died in his camp, not without a suspicion
of Tiberius having caused his death ; but this may have been
believed only on account of the hatred which Tiberius enter-
tained against the family of his brother, especially against
Germanicus. All that Tiberius could have feared was, that
Drusus, like Germanicus, might indulge in the fair dream of
restoring the republic.
In 745, after the death of Drusus, Tiberius took the
command ; and his triumph over the Germans was followed
by his withdrawal to Rhodes. During the seven vears of
CX1V THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
his absence, i'vw important events occurred, except that the
Bructeri defeated the legate, M. Lollius, destroyed his legion,
and captured the standards. After the return of Tiberius,
he received the command in Gaul, to complete the subju-
gation of Germany ; he penetrated as far as the Elbe, and
reduced the Sigambri, Bructeri, and Cherusci, to obedience.
On the Elbe, he was joined by the Roman fleet, which had
been fitted out on the river Ems, or had come from the
Rhine to the Ems. How it got up the Elbe cannot be ex-
plained ; it may have gone up as. far as Magdeburg ; and
yet the Roman galleys could not sail against the current,
like steam-boats. After this campaign, Tiberius left Ger-
many, as his predecessors had done, and as many of his
successors did after him ; for the intention of the Romans
was merely to crush the Germans, not to put themselves
in possession of their country, which they can hardly have
thought worth the trouble of occupying.
While the Germans, north of the Thiiringer Wald and
about the Harz Mountains, were thus visited by the Romans,
there existed in Bohemia the great kingdom of Maroboduus,
who is a strange and mysterious phenomenon in the early
history of Germany. It is expressly stated that he had
a large town (Roviasmum) for his capital, a regular army
of seventy thousand men, and four thousand horsemen, a
body-guard, and definite political institutions. Justus Moser
is perfectly right in saying that the Germans, in the descrip-
tions of the Romans, must not be conceived of as more un-
civilized than the modern peasants of Westphalia, or Lower
Saxony. Their dwelling-houses, one thousand eight hundred
years ago, were, I believe, not different from the more com-
mon ones in our own days, and the habitations of their
chiefs were the same as the buildings of the middle ages.
The notion that the ancient Germans were savages is com-
pletely false ; they were neither more nor less than uncul-
tivated country-people, to whom life in towns is altogether
unknown.
Venantius Fortunatus, in his poem to Radagunda, speaks
of the ruined magnificence of her father's empire, and the
brass-covered palaces of her ancestors, the kings of Thiiringia.
PROLEGOMENA. CXV
Moser has shown clearly that there is no ground whatever for
seeking information respecting our forefathers in the forests
of North America, or the islands of the South Sea, and yet
people seem at present again inclined to go back to their
notions. I do not mean to say that the habitations of the
ancient Germans were the same in every respect as those
of the present time, for in winter, e.g., they were, no doubt,
obliged to have lights in the day-time, all the openings of
the house being closed with boards, as they had no glass
windows ; but this was the case in Rome itself; and similar
houses still exist at Rome. I cannot, indeed, see why our
ancestors of the fourteenth century should have been much
more civilized than they were in the time of Augustus. Ma-
roboduus, however, seems to have had a kingdom which was
really in a state of civilization, with feudal institutions which
had arisen out of his conquest of Bohemia ; for that country
had before been inhabited by Boians ; that is, Kelts. Ti-
berius intended to attack him on two sides ; he himself
assembled his troops in Noricum and Vindelicia, and his
legate, Sentius Saturninus, was to advance from the Rhine
through the Hercynian and Thuringian forests. The Romans
made great preparations, in constructing their roads through
Germany. In this campaign we meet with the first traces
of the unhappy divisions which characterize the whole his-
tory of the Germans ; the northern tribes would not assist
Maroboduus, because he had not assisted them ; he had
allowed their power to be broken, so that, in fact, they
hardly could assist him ; they also mistrusted him, because
they believed that it was his intention to make himself
master over them, as he had over the Marcomanni. * * * *
Maroboduus had done nothing during the insurrection of
the Pannonians and Dalmatians, although he must have
known that preparations had been making against him.
The whole of that part of Germany which lies between the
Elbe, the Rhine, and the Westerwald, recognised the supre-
macy of Rome, as early as the year 760 ; the Chauci, and
other tribes on the coast of East Friesland and Oldenburg,
were as much subjects of Rome as the Bructeri and Che-
rusci in Westphalia. Quintilius Varus, who was descended
i 2
CXV1 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
from an ancient and illustrious patrician family, for his
ancestors are mentioned in the earliest period of the republic,
was a man of great ability, but of insatiable avarice. When
he had the command of the army in Germany, he conducted
himself completely as if he had been governor in a Roman
province, which knew only compulsion and fear ; but Armi-
nius, the Cheruscan, who had already distinguished himself
in the Roman armies, probably in the Pannoniau war,
devised a skilful plan for entrapping him. As the Germans
had no fortified towns, it was exceedingly difficult to keep
off the Romans, or to prevent their crossing the frontiers.
The German horses were bad, but their riders were superior
to the Romans; they were, however, excelled by the Gauls,
on account of the better horses and armour of the latter,
who were such excellent horsemen, that henceforth they
formed the flower of the Roman armies, and most of the
technical terms in horsemanship were borrowed from them.
Cunning employed against tyranny is not wrong, so that I
cannot despise the stratagem of Arminius, for the Germans
had been attacked by the Romans in the most unjust manner.
Arminius had served with German horsemen in the Roman
armies ; he was quite master of the Latin language, he
had obtained the Roman franchise, and the rank of an eques.
By dint of the greatest perseverance, he and his comrades
had succeeded in gaining the unlimited confidence of Varus,
and contrived to lull him into security. Varus had his sta-
tionary camp, in which he administered justice like a Roman
governor in his province, and he made his judicial functions
subservient to the purpose of enriching himself. His conduct
was like that of the wicked governors in Switzerland. The
Germans kept Varus engaged by fictitious quarrels among
themselves, and made him believe that they felt very happy
at the dawn of civilisation among them. The most profound
peace seemed to be established, and many of the Roman
soldiers were away from the camp on leave of absence.
While Varus was indulging in this feeling of security, the
tribes of Lower Saxony revolted, according to a preconcerted
plan. Varus was induced to march towards the country of
the insurgents, into which he penetrated a considerable dis-
PROLEGOMENA, CXVii
tance. There were several limites, or wooden causeways,
through the forests and marshes, running from the Rhine as
far as the river Lippe, and through Westphalia, to the river
Weser. These roads were similar to the one between St.
Petersburg and Novgorod, and Moscow. Varus was led
by the conspirators to abandon these straight roads, and as
he ventured deeper into the country, the revolt became gene=
ral, and the Romans found themselves outwitted. Varus
tried to retreat and reach the causeway, probably with a
view of defending himself in the fortress of Aliso on the Lippe.
The question about the exact spot where the battle of
Varus was fought, is one of those which, in my opinion, can
never be satisfactorily answered. The only sensible and prac-
tical mode of investigating the matter, would be to examine
from what point a Roman road may have been made into
the country of the Germans, and I imagine that Cologne was
a convenient point to start from, but the difficulties were
pretty nearly the same everywhere. It is infinitely more
difficult to determine anything upon this point, than to trace
Hannibal's passage over the Alps.
On the first day, Varus was attacked on all sides, and at
once lost a great part of his baggage. It was with the
greatest difficulty that he formed a camp for the night, and
fortified himself. On the following day, he was pressed still
harder, but he continued his march. The terror and con-
fusion in his columns were so great, that in the evening, when
they were about to pitch their camp, the soldiers could
hardly resist the attack. Varus was at last quite overcome
by the consciousness of his hopeless situation and his respon-
sibility ; and he had several of his officers put an end to their
lives. It was probably at that moment that Numonius Vala
(apparently the person to whom Horace addressed his epistle)
separated the cavalry from the infantry, and endeavoured, but
unsuccessfully, to escape with his three squadrons alone. They
too were overwhelmed, just as they deserved to be, for
having abandoned their companions. On the third clay, the
whole of the Roman army was annihilated, only a few escap-
ing with their lives. The Germans took awful vengeance
upon their oppressors : many of the Roman prisoners were
CXV111 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
sacrificed to the gods of the Germans, who offered human
sacrifices for the purpose of ascertaining the future. Three
legions, with as many alae, and ten cohorts, were cut to
pieces ; but, owing to the unfortunate divisions among the
Germans, they were unable to make that use of their victory
which Arminius would otherwise have undoubtedly have
made. Many of the Roman castella, however, were taken
and destroyed ; and much else may have been done, which
the Roman accounts of this catastrophe passed over in
silence.*
§ XXI. STRABO's NOTICE OF GERMANY.
The details in Strabo are fewer than we expect.
They are also those of a Greek ; and it must be remem-
bered that it was only through the Romans that the Greeks
knew much of Germany ; in other words, their knowledge
was second-hand.
Hence, the distinction between a Gaul and a German, so
clear to a Roman, was far from being equally clear to a Greek.
This remark has been made by Grimm, but without being
acted on. Yet the practical bearing of it is important.
Even such a writer as Caesar does not wholly confine his
account of Germany to what he had himself observed. On
the contrary, he quotes Eratosthenes, and indicates the
opinions of other Greeks. Pliny's account is pre-eminently
Greek, whilst Tacitus has evidently, in more places than one,
allowed his reading to stand in the place of first-hand investi-
gation. Yet the Greeks were no safe guides ; not because
they had no powers of observation, but because it was impos-
sible for them to know such a country as Germany without
coming in contact with Germans. Sttil they knew something
of it. They knew that it was the land of a certain stock,
family, or nation that came under certain negative conditions.
The German was not a Scythian, in the way that the
natives of the Don were.
Nor an Illyrian, as a Taulantian was.
Nor a Sarmatian, as the Jazyges were.
* Fuller details for the personal career of Arminius may be found in
Professor Creasy's Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World.
PROLEGOMENA. CX1X
Nor Keltic or Gallic, like a Gaul from the parts about
Marseilles.
Nor yet Iberic, like a Spaniard.
Nevertheless, he was referable to some great class.
In many cases I believe this class to have been deemed
German, purely on some such negative trains of reasoning
as the preceding ; for instance : — I imagine that certain
differentia, between the Bastarnee on one side, and the Sar-
matians, Thracians, Galatse, and Ulyrians on the other, made
them pass as Germans, in the eyes of such inquiring but
imperfectly informed Greeks, as knew that there was an
ethnological class called German, without knowing accurately
what it was. Such a process, mutatis mutandis, is by no
means uncommon, even in modern investigations. Ethnology,
even in the hands of Pri chard, has its class called Allopliylian,
the contents being whatever is, at one and the same time,
European or Asiatic without being what is called Indo-
European.
It is safe, too, to say that the Greeks were such authorities
in the eyes of a Roman, that, except where their errors were
palpable, they were rarely contradicted. Something of this
sort is to be found in the intellectual relations between
England and Germany at the present moment. How many
points are there in such a question, as {e.g.) the ethnology of
British India, where the English inquirer, although trusting
to himself for particulars lying within the pale of a well-
known area, puts his faith in some German for the more
general questions that arise, as well as for those results in
which book-learning and speculation take a part ? And
how often is he wrong in doing so ?
According to this view, both the Greek and the Roman
evidence respecting Germany fall into two parts : —
1. The Greeks—
a. Where they followed the Romans, the only first-hand
inquirers, are accurate and trustworthy. But then their
evidence is often either superfluous, or else only confirmatory
of what we learn from Caesar and Tacitus.
b. Where their information is not of Roman origin, they are
indistinct and inaccurate* — indistinct and inaccurate, for the
CXX THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
same reason that an Englishman is indistinct and inaccurate
in the geography of Central Africa or the interior of Brazil,
want of access.
2. On the other hand, the Romans —
a. Where they speak from actual knowledge, have no
occasion to refer to the Greeks.
b. Where, for want of this, they do so, they follow unsafe
guides.
The ethnology to which this applies most especially, is
that of the Bastarna and Peucini, the Cimbri and Tentones.
With these preliminaries, we may say of the text of Strabo —
a. That where he follows the historians of Drusus and
Tiberius, he is unexceptionable.
b. That where he follows Posidonius, and such writers
as could but have written from what they inferred, rather
than what they knew, he is exceptionable.
What applies to the text of Strabo, as we find it in Strabo
himself, applies to those statements in subsequent writers,
for which he is the authority.
They give us an observation where his evidence is of
Roman, and speculation or an inference, where it is of Greek
origin.
Observe. — Those proper names which appear in a different
type (SovGarToi), will be the subject of notice in the sequel.
STRABO, VII.
I. Evdvs Tolvvv tcl irepav tov 'Viqvov fiera 7-01)9 KeXrou? 777309
tt]v k'co fce/cXifieva Tepfiavol vifAOvrai, fjbitcpbv igaWdTTOVTe?
tov KeXriKov $>vkov, t<*> re TfK.eovaap.h. 7-779 dyp 1 6 it] to 9 ical
tov fieyeOovs, KaX t?}? ^av6oTr]TO<; • Tak\a$e 7rapa7r\rjcrioi KaX
fiopcpals, koX tfdeai, koX /3tW oVtc?, oiov? elpr\Kap,ev tovepr\ 7-779 %copa9 TavT7)$ to\ 7t/)09
t&) e P->]Voj p-eXP c T ^ v ^^wv a-iro 7779 7^77779 dpj;afievoi<; '
a^eSbv Be toi KaX tovto €o~ti to ecnrepiov 7779 %a>pa9
PROLEGOMENA, CXXl
TrXdros, rj Trora/xia rrdaa. Tavrrjs Be rd fiev et rr)v Ke\-
riKr)v fierrjyayov 'Vcofialoi, rd §' €(}>6r} jieraardvra eis rrjv
iv fidOei %cbpav, KaQdrtep Mapaoi' Xoirrol 8' elcrlv oXiyoi
Kal rcov ~2ovyd/ji§pcov fiepos. Merd Be robs irapairorapbiov;,
t dXXa icrriv eQvr] rd fiera^v rov 'Vrjvov teal rov "AX§io$
irorafxov * 09 TrapdXXTjXo^ 7ro)9 itceivqy pet 7rpo? rov Sliceavov,
ovk iXdrroo yoopav Bie^icov, rJTrep iKeivos. Elcrl Be fiera^v real
aXXoi irorapbol irXcorol (cov iv ra> A/xaaia Apovcros Bpovtcri-
pov Karevavfid^rjae) peovres oocravrcos dirb vorov 737309 /3o/3-
pav Kal tov 'Hfceavov. 'E^fjprai yap r) yw>pa 777509 vorov, Kal
crvve^rj v AXTrecri iroiel pdyiv nvd, 777)09 ea> rerap,evt]V, C09 dv
/nipo
Kal, rb rcov 2cj;(dW avrcov fxeya eOvos, li/xv novas. UXr)v
rd ye rcov 2o?;(dW, &>9 eevyovre<$. Koivbv
8' icrriv arracn T0i9 ravry, rb rrepl rd fjieravacrrdo-eiq
ev/jiape/ rrapo^vvot, 777309
ri)v Koivoiviav t?}9 e^Opa?. "Hp^avro he rov rroXepbov 2ou-
rya/xfipoi ttXtjctlov oiKovvres rov 'Vrjvov, MeXcova e^ovre^
>)yep,bva • KciKelSev 77S77 hiel^ov aXXor aXXoi, hvvaarevovres
Kal KaraXvb/xevoc, rrdXiv 8' dv puerd rov crrparrjyov Ovdpov Koviv-
nXlov Trapaa7rovhi]0evra, drrcoXero e'f ivehpa?. "Ercaav he
BiKas arravres, Kal rrapeo-yov rw vetorepoo Tep/xaviKO)
Xafjirrpbrarov QpiapiSov, ev a> e6piapL§ev9r] rcov errKpaveard-
rwv dvhpcov aoopuara Kal yvvatKOiv, Sefiiyovvrb*; re Seyecrrov
vlbs, XrjpovaKoov rjyepboov, Kal dheXcpr) avrov, v fyyefAOVOs, Kal rj yvvrj rovrov 'Pa/u?, OvKpofivpov Qvyd-
T VP> i?7e/xovo? Bottwv, Kal Aevhopit; Bairopcros rov Me\iXiav, Kal dpivqcrrlav rcov inr-
7jp9 av ei
ii; dBoK7]rov 7rpoae7reae.
Tavra Be SiKalco<; eirLrtpba Tot9 crvyypacfievcn TIoaeiBcbvios,
Kal ov KaKcos et/ca^et, on XrjarpLKol 6vrei]crl Be Kal Boi'ovs rbv 'RpKvviov 8pvp,bv oiKelv
rrporepov ' TOU9 Se KifiSpovs 6p/j,rjaavra<; eirl rbv rbirov
rovrov, diroKpovcrBevras virb rcov Botcov errl rbv "larpov, Kal
rovs ^KopBlaKov; TaXdras KaraSrjvai • elr errl Tavpiard^
Kal TavpLtTKovs, Kal rovrov^ TaXdras • elr eirl 'EXovTjrriov;,
TroXvxpvaovs p,ev avBpas, eipr)vaiov$ Be- bpcovras Be rbv eV
PROLEGOMENA. CXXV
rcov Xrjarrjplcov ifKovrov, virepSdWovra rov rvap eavrol?,
rov? 'EXovrjrrtov? eirapdrjvai, fidXiara S' avrcov Tiyvprjvov?
re ical Tcovyevov?, coare ical avve^op/xr)aai. Havre? p,ev rot
/care\v0rjaav virb rcov 'Pco/xalcov, avrol re ol Kl/i§oi, ical ol
avvapdfievoc rovrot?, ol fjuev v7rep§dX\ovre? rd? , A\7rei,? els
rrjv ^\ra\lav, ol §' e^co rcov AXirecov.
"Edo? 8e n rcov Kl/A^pcov Sirjyovvrat roiovrov, on rats
yvvai^lv avrcov avarparevovaat?, rraprjKo'Xovdovv rrpofjidv-
ret? lepecat r Tro\i6rpi%es, \evj(e Ifiove?, Kaprraaiva? ecpairrlha?
emrrerroprrrnikvai, ^ayapua ^aXicovv eyovaai, yvp,vbivo8e?'
rol? ovv al^puaXcoroi? Sea rod arparoireSov avvtfvrcov ^ccprj-
pei? • Karaareyjraaac S' avroi)? rjyov iirl /cparrjpa j/a\icovv
oaov dpucjyopecov e'lKoat' el%ov Se ava§d9pav, r)v dva&daa
vireprrerr)? rov \eSrjro? ekaipborofxeL eicaarov puerecopiadevra'
etc 8e rov 7rpo%eopLevov ai/xaro? el? rov Kparrjpa, /navrelav nvd
eiroiovvro ' aXkai Se 8iaa%laaaai, eaTikdy^yevov dvacpOey-
yopuevai vl/crjv rol? oliceloi?. 'Ev 8e roc? dycoatv ervirrov rd?
fivpaa? rd? irepirera/jbeva? rol? yeppoi? rcov dpfia/Aagcov, war
diroreXela^at tyocpov e^alaiov.
Tcov 8e Teppuavcov, co? elirov, ol fiev rrpoadpicrLoi irapr]-
Kovat rco 'H/ceavco. Tvcopl^ovrai 8' dirb rcov e/c8o\cbv rov
'Vrjvov XaSovre? rr)v dp^rjv, fiixpi T °v "AXSto?. Tovrcov S'
elal yvcopipicoraroi, 2,ovyap.§pol re ical KlfiSpoi. Td 8e
irepav rov "A\§i,o?, rd irpb? rco 'Q/ceavcu, iravrairaaLV dyvco-
ara rj/xlv eariv. Otire yap rcov rrporepcov ovSeva? ta/xev rov
rrapdifKovv rovrov rreiroirj^kvov? rrpb? rd ecodevd p*epr),
rd p*e%pi rov aropbaro? rrj? Kaairla? QaXdrrrj?, oi/(9' ol
'Vcopualoi TrporfkOov irco el? rd irepatrepco rov A\§io? • co? S'
avrco? ov8e rre^ol irapcohevicaaiv ovSive?. 'AW' ore fiev
/card purjtco? lovaiv errl rrjv eco, rd Kara rov Bopvaflevrj ical
rd irpb? fioppdv fieprj rov Ylovrov yjopia diravra, 8r)\ov etc
rcov /cXipidrcov ical rcov irapaWrj\cov Staarrjfidrcov. Tt S'
earl irepav rr)? Tepfiavla?, ical ri rcov aXXcov rcov e£f)?, e'lre
Baardpva? yjpr) Xeyeiv, co? ol 7r\etov? virovoovatv, elr
aXkov? fiera^v, r) '\dQjya?, i) 'Pco^o\dvov?, r\ riva? aWov?
rcov Afj,a%ol/ccov, ov paScov eliretv ouS' el /xe^pt rov 'Qiceavov
7rap7jK0vai irapdirav rb p,r)/co?, el earl re dol/crjrov vrrb ■fyvyov?,
r) aXkij? alrla?, r) el ical yevo? dvOpcoircov aXXo StaSe^erat
CXXvi THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
fiera^v rf/9 SaXaTTt] 1 ; ical tcov kaxov Tep/xavtov i&pvfievov
Tovro Se to avro dyvo^fia ical irepl tcov aWcov rwv i
vones ; quorum pars Cimbri, Teutoni, ac Chaucorum gentes.
Proximi autem Rheno Istcevones ; quorum pars Cimbri medi-
terranei : Hermiones ; quorum Suevi, Hermunduri, Cliatti,
Cherusci. Quinta pars Peucini, Basternrc, supradictis con-
termini Dacis. Annies clari in Oceanum defluunt, Guttalus,
Vistillus sive Vistula, A Ibis, Yisurgis, Amisius, Rhenus,
Mosa. Introrsus vero, nullo inferius nobilitate, Hercynium
jugum prsetenditur.
XXIX. In Rheno ipso, prope centum m. pass, in longi-
tudinem, nobilissima Batavorum insula, et Cannenifatum : et
alia? Frisiorum, Chaucorum, Frisiabonum, Sturiorum, Mar-
saciorum, quae sternuntur inter Helium ac Flevum. Ita
appellantur ostia, in qua? effusus Rhenus, ab septemtrione in
lacus, ab occidente in amnem Mosam se spargit : medio inter
hsec ore, modicum nomini suo custodiens alveum.
The next author in point of time is Tacitus himself.
C. CORNELII TACITI
DE SITU, MORXBUS,
ET POPULIS GERMANISE
LIBELLUS.
§ I. Germania 1 Omnis 2 a Gallis 3 Rhsetisque 4 et Pan-
noniis, 5 Rheno 6 et Danubio 7 fluminibus, 8 a Sarmatis 9
Dacisque, 10 mutuo metu aut montibus 11 separatur. Ce-
tera Oceanus ambit, latos sinus et insularum immensa
spatia complectens, nuper cognitis quibusdam gentibus,
ac regibus, quos bellum aperuit. Rhenus Rhseticarura
Alpium 12 inaccesso ac prsecipiti vertice ortus, modico
flexu in Occidentem versus, septemtrionali Oceano
miscetur. Danubius, molli et clem enter edito montis
AbnobaB 13 jugo effusus, plures populos 14 adit, donee in
Ponticum mare sex meatibus erumpat : septimum
enim os paludibus hauritur.
NOTES ON SECTION I.
1 Germania.] — Tlie English word Germany is the translation of
the Latin word Germania.
A truism so evident, apparently, requires no pointing out ;
nevertheless, the series of considerations to which it gives rise are
of importance.
In the first place, Germany is not the name by which the German
designates his own country. He calls himself Deutsche, and his
country Deutsch-land.
^ THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Neither is it the name hy which a Frenchman designates Germany.
He calls it Allemagne.
Whence the difference ? The different languages take the dif-
ferent names for one and the same country from different sources.
The German term Deutsch is an adjective ; the earlier form of the
word being dhitisc. Here the -isc is the same as the -ish in words
like self-ish. Dint, on the other hand, means people, or nation.
Hence, dmt-isc is to diut, as j^opularis is to p>opidus. This adjective
was first applied to the language; and served to distinguish the
popular, national, native, or vulgar tongue of the populations to
which it belonged from the Latin. It first appears in documents of
the ninth century, " Ut quilibet episcopus homilias aperte trans-
fers studeat in rusticam Romanain linguam aut theotiscam, quo
tandem cuncti possint intelligere qua? dicantur." — Synodus Tu-
ronensis, a.d. 813.
As to the different forms in which either the root or the adjective
appears, the most important of them are as follows : —
1. In Mceso-Gothic, ^iudishd = idviKus — Galatians ii. 14 j a
form which implies the substantive ]>iuda=tdvoQ.
2. In Old High German, diot=populus, gives the adjective diut-
■isc=popul-aris.
3. In Anglo-Saxon we have \eod and \eodisc.
Sometimes this adjective means heathen; in which case it applies
to religion and is opposed to Christian.
Oftener it means intelligible, or vernacidar, and applies to lan-
guage; in which case it is opposed to Latin.
The particular Gothic dialect to which it was first applied, was
the German of the Middle Rhine. Here the forms are various : —
theodisca, thiudisca, theudisca, teudisca, teutisca. When we reach
parts less in contact with the Latin language of Rome, its use is
rarer. Even the Germans of the Rhine frequently use the equi-
valent term Alemannic, and Francic ; whilst the Saxons and
Scandinavians never seem to have recognized the word at all.
Hence it is only the Germans of Germany that are Theot-isci, or
Deutsche.
We of England, on the other hand, apply it only to the Dut-ch of
Holland.
Hitherto the term is, to a certain degree, one of disparagement ;
meaning non-Roman, or vulgar. It soon, however, changes its
character ; and in an Old High German gloss — uncadiuti (ungideuti)
NOTES ON SECTION I. 3
=un-Dutch is explained by barbarus. All that is not German, has
now become in the eyes of the Deutsche, what all that was other than
Roman was before. The standard has changed. Barbarism is
measured by its departure from what is Dut-sch ; in other words,
the term has become so little derogatory as to have become national.
Nevertheless, originally Deutsche=viUgares.
From the two facts of Germania being no native name, and Deut-
sche being one of late origin, we arrive at an inference of great prac-
tical importance in ethnological criticism, viz., that, although the
Romans and the Gauls knew the populations beyond the Rhine by
a common collective term, no such common collective term seems to
have been used by the Germans themselves. They had none. Each
tribe had its own designation ; or, at most, each kingdom or con-
federation. Only when the question as to what was common to
the whole country, in opposition to what was Roman or Gallic,
became a great practical fact, did a general ethnological term arise ;
and this was not German, but Dutch.
This is a common phenomenon. In Hindostan we hear of the
wilder mountaineers of Orissa and the Mahratta country under the
names of K61 and Khond ; and this is a collective term. But it is
only this in the mouth of a Hindu, or Englishman. Amongst
themselves the separate names of the different tribes is all that
is current.
From this it follows that, Germania being a wow-Germanic term,
its claims to absolute ethnological accuracy are reduced. It is like
the term Gallia ; which was so far from containing nothing but Gallic
Kelts (or, changing the expression, Keltic Gauls), that it included the
Iberic populations of Aquitania, which were as unlike the true Gaul
as a Basque of the Pyrenees is unlike a Welshman. Hence, when-
ever we are disposed to doubt whether so valuable a writer as
Tacitus could have committed the error of making any particular
moK-Germanic tribe German, we must remember that so well-in-
formed an observer as Caesar makes the Aquitani, Gallic.
It is also important to remember that, like high as opposed to
low, rich to poor, &c, the word Deut-sch was originally a corre-
lative term, i.e., it denoted something which was popular, vulgar,
national, unlearned, to something which was not. Hence, it could
have had no existence until the relations between the learned and
lettered language of Rome, and the comparatively unlearned and
unlettered vidgar tongue of the Franks and Alemanni had developed
b 2
4 THE GERMAN Y OF TACITUS.
some notable points of contrast. Deutsche as a name for Germans,
in the sense in which it occurs in the ninth century, was an impos-
sibility in the first, or second. This is not sufficiently considered.
Many believe that the Teut-, in Teut-ones, is the deut-, in deut-sch.
To be this exactly is impossible. Any German tribe that called
itself ]>euda, Diot, or Deoft in the first century must have given a
different meaning to the word ; and, so doing, have called them-
selves homines, heroes, or by some term equally complimentary ; —
certainly not by any word meaning speakers of the vidgar tongue.
This is to prepare the reader for some further criticism, which
will occur in the sequel.
Allemagne and Lamagna arc merely modernized forms of the
name of a particular section of the Germans, the Alemanni.
The English name, as already stated, is a translation of the
Roman one.
Gemiani, then, is a name given by the Romans to the populations
who afterwards called themselves DeiUsche ; and Germania is the
Roman equivalent to Deulschland ; whilst German and Germany are
English forms of the Roman designation.
It by no means, however, follows, that because the Romans called
a certain people by a certain name, that that name was Roman ;
although reasons have been given* for considering that it is the
Latin word gerrnani.
I believe, for my own part, that the word was Keltic ; in other
words, that whilst the Germans themselves had no collective name
at all, the Romans called them what they were called by the Gauls.
The meaning of this Gallic designation is a matter of legitimate
speculation. At present, it is sufficient to fix the language in which
the etymology is to be sought.
The date of the first mention of the name German is more curious
than important. A distinction, however, connected with the inves-
tigation of it is necessary.
The earliest date assigned to an event in German history is one
thing ; the earliest historian who mentions such an event is another.
A very early event may be recorded by a very late historian.
The word semi-Germanis was applied to the nations who, as early
as the second Carthaginian war, came across Hannibal in his passage
of the Alps. But, early as this is for the fact itself, the historian
who records it is late — Livy.
* See extract from Strabo, Prolegomena. § xxi.
NOTES ON SECTION I. 5
The same applies to certain statements concerning the part taken
by the Bastarnce in the Macedonian war. — See not. in v. Bastarnos.
In the Fasti Capitolini for B.C. 222, occurs the following-
entry : M. CLAUDIUS M. F. M. N. MARCELLUS AN. DXXXI. COS. BE GAL-
LEIS INSUBRIBUS ET g[er]mANIS K. MART. ISQUE SPOLIA OPl(ma) RET-
tulit duce hostium Ym(domaro ad C'la)sTiT>(ium interfecto). —
Graav. Thes. Antt. Rom. ii. p. 227.
This is a notice of some pretension. Polybius, however, calls the
allies of the Insubrian Gauls not Germans but Gcesatce.
More than this — the record itself is not above suspicion. The
part of the stone which contains the letters er, has been repaired,
and (the extract is from Niebuhr) whether er " was put in at ran-
dom, or whether it was so on the original stone, I can neither assert
nor deny. I have often seen the stone, but although a friend of
mine wished me particularly to ascertain the truth, I was never able
to convince myself whether the corner containing the syllable is part
of the original stone or not. It is evident that the name cannot
have been Cenomanis, since they were allied with the Romans, and
the g is quite distinct. Gonomani does not occur among the Romans.
If the author of these Fasti actually wrote Germanis, the nation is
mentioned. The thing is not at all impossible. At the time of
Julius Cassar, it is true, the Germans did not live further south than
the river Maine, driven back by the Gauls. The Germans in the
Wallis,* of whom Livy (xxi. 38) speaks, were the remnants of an
earlier German population which had been expelled by the Gauls.'
— Lecture lviii. Dr. L. Schmitz's edition.
Of German glosses the words Tlmle, and the different forms of
the root Est- (see not. in v. JEstyii) are probably the oldest. They
are referable to the date of the voyage of Pytheas, and must have
been collected from really Germanic informants.
Of German authorities Cassar, for all practical purposes, is the
earliest.
Of the name Germani, beyond the probable German area, there
are some remarkable instances.
a. In Spain we have " Oretani qui et Germani cognominantur." — ■
Pliny, iii. 4.
b. In Persia Von Hammer has traced the name Dzhurman.
Writers have not been wanting who have connected these names
with that of the Germani of Germany. I do not say that it cannot
* These are the supposed Germans of note 3.
G THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
be done legitimately : at the same time the occurrence of similar
names, although unlikely to be accidental within a small area, gains
in probability as the area enlarges.
2 Omnis — separatur.~\ — Does this mean that within the area
called Germania there were nothing but Germans?
Or does it mean that beyond the area called Germania there were
no Germans ?
Does it exclude all Gauls, Rhaetians, Pannonians, Sarmatians and
Dacians from Germany, or does it exclude all Germans from Gaul,
Rhtetia, Pannonia, Sarmatia, and Dacia?
Both questions require investigation.
That there were non-Germanic populations within the Germania
of Tacitus, probably consisting of Gauls, and certainly consisting of
Slavonians, Lithuanians, and Finns, is one of the main theorems of
the present volume ; a theorem for which the reasons may be found
in notes as well as in the preliminary observations.
The complementary question as to absence or presence of German
populations in Gaul, Rhoetia, Pannonia, Sarmatia, and Dacia will
form part of the subject of tbe next three notes.
3 Gall/'s.] — Here the question arises as to whether the Gauls formed
what may be called an ethnological unity : i.e., first, whether the whole
of the Gallic stock was contained within the area of Gallia ; and,
secondly, whether that area contained nothing but Gallic populations.
1. The whole of the Gallic stock was not contained within the
area of Gaul.— The Britons of England and Wales, the Picts and
Scots of Scotland, and the numerous tribes of Ireland were all mem-
bers of the great Gallic stock — a stock also called Keltic.
2. Populations other than those of the Gallic stock existed in
Gaul. — Between the Aquitanians to the south and the Gauls to the
■north of the Loire, there was a greater ethnological difference than
between the Gauls north of the Loire, and the Britons ; or even the
Caledonian and Plibernian tribes. The Aquitanians belonged to
the Iberic stock ; represented at present by the Basques of the
Pyrenees. The rest were Kelts.
Such are the general answers to the general question. The parti-
cular inquiry as to whether there were Germans in Gaul, the inquiry
indicated in the preceding note, still stands over.
That there were some Germans in Gaul is undoubted. We can
NOTES ON SECTION I. 7
scarcely expect that the Rhine should have been as absolute a fron-
tier in history as it is in geography. Each nation transgressed it,
so that there were Gauls in Germany, and Germans in Gaul.
But comparatively recent migrations — mere changes in the line
of frontier — are not the matters before us. There are Englishmen
in India ; but that does not make India English. Was so notable a
proportion of Gaul occupied by indigenous Germans as to justify us in
calling Gaul a part of the Germanic area, or the Germans a part of the
population of Gaul? Were there Germans in Gaul in the same
way that there were Iberians in the time of Csesar, or Bretons now 1
Were there Germans in Gaul as there are Welshmen in England 1
The present writer believes that, in the time of Tacitus, there were
none such.
Were there before the time of Tacitus 1 Zeuss and others believe
that there were. The evidence in favour of these early Gallo-Ger-
mans consists chiefly, if not exclusively, in an extract from Livy,
and in the forms of certain words.
The extract from Livy (forming the external evidence) is as
follows. Speaking of the passage of Hannibal, he writes, "ea —
itinera — quae ad Peninum* ferunt, obsepta gentibus semi-Germanis
fuissent." — xxi. 38.
The internal evidence, consisting of the real or supposed names of
the tribes in question, is got at through a considerable amount of
assumption. Avienus, who is supposed to follow an older autho-
rity, writes —
Meat amnis t autem fonte per Tylangios,
Per Dalitemos, per ChaMlcorum sata,
Temenicum et agrum (dura sat vocabula
Auremque primam cuncta vulnerantia ;
Sed non silenda tibimet ob studium tuum
Nostramque curam). Panditur porro in decern
Passus recursu gurgitum stagnum grave.
Plerique tradunt, inserit semet dehinc
Vastam in paludem, quern vetus mos Grsecise
Vocavit Accron. — Ora Maritima, n. 666, &c.
Now Zeuss, who believes these to be the oldest German names
extant, and who thinks that they stand for tribes who occupied the
* This is what Niebuhr calls the Wullis {i.e., the Wales, Welsh, foreign
or non-German country) in note 1. t The Rhone.
8 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Pennine Alps anterior to the Keltic migrations towards Italy, sug-
gests the following etymologies and parallels.
«. Tylangii. — The same as the Tulingi of Caesar, with the a
changed into i, by the Greek authority of Avienus, so that the
word becomes TvXdyyiot, instead of TvXlyyioi. The -ing (-tyy) is
the usual German derivational affix, and the Tut-, the root of the
first part of the compound word TovXlcpovpdoy (a German town
mentioned by Ptolemy), and til-, a root signifying useful, fit.
b. Daliterni. — Agreeing in its termination with the words Basteimce,
and Qnberni, and in its beginning with the root dal=valley, dale.
c. Chabilci. — The KaovXwu of Strabo, the KaXovKtoveg of Ptolemy
and the Calucones of Pliny.
The objections that lie against all this are —
1. The identity between the tribes named by Avienus and those
indicated by Livy is not made out.
2. The tribes with whom the Tylangii and Chabilci are compared
are not themselves unequivocally Germanic.
3. Coesar, describing the same locality, calls the population
Gallic; especially mentioning one of the tribes named by Livy the
Vi r< "j r't.
It may fairly be said that all this creates difficulties, and justifies
the statement that the literal verification of the passage in Livy
involves a considerable amount of assumption.
Besides this, in order to reconcile Livy with Crcsar, Zeuss supposed
an intermixture of Gallic immigrants and German aborigines. This
introduces greater difficulties than it removes.
In the first place, the Germans in cjuestion, if aboriginal, were
disconnected from their nearest congeners by the whole of Helvetia,
a locality confessedly Gallic.
Secondly, a mountain-fastness like the Mons Penninus was not
likely to be a spot from which Gauls would displace Germans.
No remark has been made upon the etymologies themselves. They
are derivations which certain readers will be as slow to abandon, as
others are to admit. Neither is the undoubted Gallic form of the
word Veragri insisted on ; since, although a Gallic word, it might
be the designation of a German nation — just as Welsh is in our
language, a name applied to Welshmen, but not a "Welsh word.
On the other hand, it may be urged, that the Veragri may have
been semi-German without Caesar's knowing it, or that Cassar may
have known them to be semi-Germans without thinking it necessary
NOTES ON SECTION I. 9
to call them so- There is no conclusive answer to this objection.
It is not, however, one which the careful reader of Csesar, unbiassed
by German predilections, is likely to take. How clearly does he
recognise the Germanic elements of the character of the Nervii and
others, and how careful he is to notify them !
Surely, it is not too much to say that in Ccesar's time the Pennine
population was wholly Gallic, and not half-German.
Now if we do this, Livy's credit must be saved by either supposing
that he used the word German with a considerable degree of latitude,
or else that his statement applies to the time he wrote about rather
than his own.
I believe the former to have been the case, and answer the ques-
tion raised in the beginning of the present note, by asserting my
belief that, as the Tylangii, &c, were wow-Germanic, there were no
Germans, as integral elements of the population of Gallia, either
when Tacitus wrote or when Hannibal marched across the Alps.
4 Bhcetis.] — The countries south of the Danube were first subdued
under Augustus ; when they were formed into the following pro-
vinces. 1. Ehsetia. 2. Vindelicia. 3. Noricum. 4. Pannonia Superior.
5. Pannonia Inferior.
Ehsetia, the modern Tyrol, was bounded by Helvetia on the west,
by Vindelicia on the north, aud by Noricum on the east. Prom
Noricum it was divided by the River Inn (iEnus).
Vindelicia coincides with the southern half of Bavaria, or that
portion of Bavaria which lies south of the Danube, and part of
Wurtemburg. It was bounded on the north-west by the Decumates
Agri= Baden, and part of Wurtemberg.
Noricum, the modern Salzburg, and Upper Austria, extended
from the Inn (iEnus) to the Kahlenberg (Mons Cetius).
The Pannonias were bounded by the Kahlenberg, the Danube,
and the Save, and coincide with the south-western part of Hungary,
and Lower Austria.
Now of these four names for five provinces, Tacitus mentions only
two, — Rhsetia and Pannonia. Of Vindelicia and Noricum he says
nothing, — although each reached to the Danube ; which Rhastia,
in the strict sense of the word, did not.
Vindelicia, then, he evidently includes in the area of the Rhseti.
What, however, he considered Noricum to be, is doubtful. Did he
count it as part of Pannonia on the east, or as part of Rha3tia on the
10 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
east, or did he give a part to the one province, and a part to the
other?
There is a difficulty hero, which is increased by the fact of the
Danube forming but partially the Rhasto-Gennanic frontier. A
considerable portion of the Rhsetia of Tacitus reached the Danube
as its northern limit, without, therefore, reaching the southern fron-
tier of Germany. The Decumates Agri lay north of the Danube,
between Vindelicia, Gaul, and Germany. Yet it is by no means
certain, that the Decumates Agri were German. — See not. in voc.
Perhaps a more minute investigation than the present writer has
bad the opportunity of making, into the early history of the Danubian
provinces just enumerated, would account for the omission of the
names Vindelicia and Noricum, and at the same time to inform us
bow the Norican population was to be distributed. At present,
however, I consider that Tacitus, in mentioning the Jihceti and
Pannonii * only, recognized the ethnological rather than the political
division, and thought of the natural division of an area into its
nationalities rather than of the artificial distinction of provinces.
If so, we have an instrument of criticism ; since we may infer that
the Yindelici were in the same category with the Rhasti, and that
the Norici were either Rheetian or Pannonian, or else divided be-
tween the two.
The ethnological position of the Rhajtians, the extent to which
they consisted of one or several stocks, and their relations to the
population of Noricum, are difficult and complicated questions.
Neither are they true portions of German ethnology.
Hence the present note will contain little beyond the notice of
the country and its occupants in their present state.
Politically speaking, Rhsetia with Vindelicia, comprises the fol-
lowing countries and districts. — 1. The Vorarlberg. 2. The Gri-
sons, or Graubrundten. 3. The Valteline. 4. The Tessino. 5. The
Tyrol. 6. Part of Lombardy. These form Rhaetia proper. The
southern part of Bavaria, the south-eastern part of Wurtemburg,
and a small portion of Baden constitute Vindelicia.
Geographically viewed, this area embraces a portion of two water-
systems, and a water-shed, viz., the southern feeders of the Upper
Danube, and the northern feeders of the Po ; the water-shed between
them being formed by the Alps. Besides these the head-waters of
the Rhine belong to Rhaetia.
* Or the Phceti and Pannonitz.
NOTES ON SECTION I. 11
The Bavarian side of the great Alpine chain consists of an
elevated table-land, the Italian of a series of mountain-valleys,
which change in character as we approach the alluvial plain of
Lombardy ; and as these change, we pass from Rhsetia to Italy,
from the Tyrol and Switzerland to Lombardy.
At the present moment the population of this area is referable to
two divisions. A German dialect of the Alemannic type is spoken
in Bavaria, Wurtemburg, Baden, the Vorarlberg, and greater part
of the Tyrol. The remaining dialects are derivatives from the Latin.
It is necessary to know that these last fall into two divisions ; the
Italian of Lombardy, the Valteline, and Tessino, and the Romance
of the Grisons or Graubriindten. It is the Grison or Graubriindten
country which is pre-eminently and typically Rheetian ; the Grison
mountains are the Rlicvtian Alps, and the Grison form of speech
is often called the Rheetian language.
If, from the Lake of - Constance, we follow up the Rhine towards
its source, we find that river and the Inn rise on different sides of
the same range of mountains. Now the valleys of the Upper Rhine
and the Upper Inn constitute the Grison country, where the Ro-
mance language is spoken, and where it falls into two chief dialects,
coinciding with the two river-systems. The proper Romance is the
language of the hills and valleys on the Upper Rhine ; the Ladino,
or Latin, that of those on the Upper Inn. Then sub-dialects occur ;
the Ladino falling into the Upper Engadino, and the Lower Enga-
dino ; the Romance into several similar ones.
Such is the present philological ethnography of the Rhsetias.
But as both classes of languages have been introduced into the
country within the historical period— the German in the fifth and
sixth centuries, and the Roman in the time of Augustus — neither
throws much light upon the character of the original population.
Were there any Germans in Rhaetia ? Germans might have been
found in the northern point of Vindelician Rhsetia, just as there
were Germans in Gaul ; i.e., as intrusive emigrants, but not as inte-
gral portions of the original Rhseto- Vindelician population.
5 Pannoniis.] — Laying aside the question. as to the distribution
of the populations of Noricum, the portion of the Danube which
separated Pannonia Proper from the Germany of Tacitus, was that
part which lies between the northern extremity of the Kahlenberg
(lions Cetins), and the continuation of the Bakonyer Wald (Pan-
12 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
nonius Mons) into the Medves Range (Sarmatici, Montes) ; from the
west to Vienna, to the east of the Gran. A little heyond this the
Danube takes its great bend southwards, and separates the eastern
Pannonians from the Jazyges. The parts of the Germania of Tacitus
which reach the Pannonian part of the Danube, coincide with the
present country of Upper Hungary, or the valleys of the Gran and
Waag.
The languages here spoken are, at the present moment referable
to three families, — 1. German in Lower Austria, and on the side
of Lower Austria. 2. Slavonic on the side of Styria, Croatia, and
Slavonia. 3. Majiar, or Proper Hungarian in the central parts.
The present population of Pannonia cannot but be extremely
mixed, since, over and above the present occupants, there have been
successive invasions of Romans, Goths,- Huns, Avars, Cumaniars, and
Gepidse. All this complicates the inquiry as to the ethnological
position of the original ante- Roman Pannonians.
At the same time, by eliminating those elements, which we know
to have been of recent introduction, we approach the cpiestion.
Of these two have occurred within the historical period.
The Germans of Lower Austria are the Germans of Upper Austria
advanced eastwards, and the Germans of Upper Austria are the
Germans of Bavaria similarly protruded. Their language is refer-
able to the Alemannic type ; their original ancestors were probably
Alemanni, and the date of their occupancy is not earlier than the
fourth century.
The Majiars are even of later introduction, and their advent even
more within the range of history. It took place in the tenth century.
The Goths, Huns, Avars, Cumanians, have all occupied parts of
Pannonia — but all within the historical period, or nearly so. ' The
aborigines preceded all these.
The original population of Pannonia must be arrived at by the ex-
clusive method, i.e., the elimination of all known recent populations.
Now the population that remains after this is that of the Slovaks
of Upper Hungary, who are Slavonians.
The ethnology of those parts of Pannonia which was not German
is no part of the present work. Many reasons, however, beyond
the existence of the Slovaks could be given for making it Sla-
vonian.
At the same time, there is but little doubt that the banks of the
Danube were occupied by intrusive Germans at an early period.
NOTES ON SECTION I. 13
6 Rheno.] — The Rhine, is a name by which the same river is
known to both the French of its western, and the Germans of its
eastern bank. This is not always the case in the frontier rivers ;
since they may bear one name in one language, and another in another.
It is far from certain that this was not the case with the Rhine
originally.
The French and Germans know it by the same name, not because
their ancestors did, but because each has taken their appellation
from the Romans ; the word Rhenus is in the same category with
Germania.
From whom did the Romans take it 1 To what ancient language
is it referable 1 Almost certainly to the Keltic of Gaul ; in which
the Gauls originated, but the Romans diffused the name. It might
of course have been German as well ; though I think it unlikely, the
original German name being probably lost.
Neither is it certain that the name Rhine was persistent through-
out the whole course of the river. The Lower Rhine might have had
one name, the Upper Rhine another, just as the Lower Danube was
called Ister, and the Upper, Danubius. It is not likely that the
Batavians of Holland, and the Helvetians of Switzerland gave the
same name to the very different parts of their common river. Names
of rivers only become general where there is one homogeneous popu-
lation along their whole course ; or, what is the same thing, when a
second party perceives the unity of the whole water-system. This
was what was done by the Romans, and that is the reason for believ-
ing that, originally, the name Rhine was a partial one.
Is this term, or one like it, applied to any other Keltic rivers., so
that there may be several Rhines in France, just as there are several
Ouses and Avons in England 1 The bearing of this question is of
importance. As the question stands at present, the word is a Keltic
gloss of no great value, though of some. It is only a proper name.
If, however, it reappears as the designation of other rivers, the chances
are that it is no proper name, but a common term ; no word, like
John or Thomas, but a word like water, river, stream. Glosses of
this kind are more valuable than the others.
Rhen is probably the same root as Rhodan ; so that Rhine and
Rhone are the same word in different dialects. The disappearance
of the d creates no difficulty. The very word Rhone, as compared
with Rhodanus, illustrates it.
It is also, probably, the same word with E-ridan-us ; the ejection
14 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
of the -d, being of the same kind as that of the d in Rho-d-anus as
opposed to Rhone. The Eridanus of Herodotus (iii. 115) was a river
in the extreme west of Europe, which fell into the northern sea.
The form Rhenus was first diffused by Ccesar.
The fact of rein in German meaning clear, and the possibility of
the Rhein fiuss = the clear river, is the only reason that has ever
been given for considering the word of German origin. Even Zeuss
lays no stress on this.
The Keltic origin of the name of the great frontier river is gener-
ally admitted. So is the Keltic origin of the names of most of its
western tributaries, the Nava and the Mosa. The river Obringa,
'ASptKKag, 'OgptyyaQ, is probably Keltic. The Mosella seems a
Roman diminutive of Mosa.
Of the eastern feeders, the Maenus and Luppia are of uncertain
origin. So are the Nicer and Logana. The Rura and Sigana are,
perhaps, German.
7 Danubio.] — The extent to which the root Danub- approaches that
of Dnap-, in the undoubtedly Slavonic Dnaparis, or Dnieper, is an
argument, as far it goes, for the word being of Slavonic origin.
The extent to which the root D-n, as in Don and Boon occurs in
the name of Keltic rivers, is an argument, as far as it goes, for the
word being of Keltic origin.
The fact of its changing its name to Ister, for the lower portion of
its course, is an argument, as far as it goes, in favour of the population
of the banks being other than homogeneous, i.e., of one kind, at the
head-waters, of another towards the mouth.
8 Fluminibus.] — Let the direction of river from north to south,
or vice versa, be called a latitudinal or a vertical direction ; and a
direction from east to west, or vice versa, a longitudinal or hori-
zontal one.
This distinction gives rise to the consideration of some points of
general ethnology.
The more vertical the direction of a river — other things being
equal — the less homogeneous its population.
The more horizontal the direction of a river — other things being
equal — the more homogeneous its population.
A little consideration explains this. Difference of latitude is a
great ethnological influence ; and as the character of a population
NOTES ON SECTION I. 15
changes as we proceed either northwards or southwards more than it
does in a direction from east to west, or from west to east, the con-
trast between the population of the head-waters, and the population
of the embouchures of long rivers is greater where the difference of
latitude is greatest, and least where it is least — other things, as said
before, being equal.
The great vertical rivers of Northern Asia have the conquering
Mongol and Turks on their sources, the stunted Samoeids on the
mouths.
The great vertical rivers of Southern Asia have Tibetan moun-
tains, between the thirtieth and thirty-fifth degrees of north latitude,
and Siamese and Cambojians in latitude ten.
The Nile has Negroes in its extreme valleys, Abyssinians on its
table-land, and ^Egyptians on its great valley and Delta.
The northernmost Mississippi Indians approach the type of the
Eskimo, the southernmost that of the Mexicans.
Most of the great rivers of the world are vertical ; the chief hori-
zontal directions being those of the Amazon in America, the Sene-
gal in Africa, the Hoang-ho and Kiang-ku in Asia, and the Danube
in Europe,
The horizontal direction of the two great Chinese rivers undoubt-
edly does much towards determining the homogeneous character of
the Chinese civilization. At the same time they help to account
for its isolation.
The direction then is one of difference between the Danube as
boundary to Germania and the Rhine.
The course of the Danube determined the migration eastward,
those of the Rhine (and still more of the Weser and Elbe) north-
ward.
Another difference between the two rivers is the character of their
water-system. Contrasted with the Danube the Rhine has but few
feeders ; indeed it has but few feeders compared with any river of
equal magnitude, unless it be the Rio Grande of Texas. The Rhine
is supported as the reservoir of the Lake of Constance rather than
supplied by its tributaries. From this it follows that the basin or
valley-system of the Rhine is preeminently small ; so that its allu-
vial plains sink into insignificance when compared with those of the
Danube, or even the Elbe, Oder, and Vistula. Whatever we subtract
from the area of the valleys of a river, brings the hill-ranges in
closer approximation to the stream, in which we have a mountain-
16 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
barrier, as well as a water-barrier. In the particular instance before
us, the Rhine is a Gallo-Germanic frontier, but it is a frontier
strengthened in its upper part, at least, by the ranges of the Black-
forest, the Odenwald, and the Vosges. In its lower portion, as the
mountains either recede or diminish, and the alluvial plains extend
themselves, it ceases to be a frontier.
Again — the facilities of a migration down the Danube are greater
than those down the Rhine ; a circumstance to which the directions
of the two rivers, as well as the difference of their water-system con-
tributes.
9 Sarmatis.~\ — It is not necessary to exhibit in full the different
senses in which this word occurs in the classical writers. It is a term
less wide in its application than Scythce, but, like Scythce, it is
applied to the northern moieties of the ancient world ; the most
southern limit of Sarmatia being the Danube. On the west it
becomes confounded with Germania, on the east with Asiatic
Scythia.
Geographically, it chiefly applies to Eastern Europe; Scythia
being chiefly referable to Western Asia.
Ethnologically, it embraces nearly all the Slavonic areas, and few
or none of the «o?i-Slavonic.
This justifies its application, by the present writer, to the class
which contains the Lithuanic as well as the Slavonic tongues.
The Sarniatse of the present text — the Sarmatse of the Germanic
frontier — are the original occupants of the country between the
Upper Thiess (Tibiscus) and the Medves Range (Monies Sarmatici).
These were the northern Jazyges, or the old Slavonic populations of
Middle Hungary.
That either these Jazyges themselves, or else their neighbours to
the east, west, or south were Slavonians, is a fact which is supported by
internal evidence of the most conclusive kind ; and as the undoubted
presence of a Slavonic population in the parts occupied by them, is
of great importance in the investigation of the ethnology of Pan-
nonia and Dacia, due prominence is given to it by mentioning it at
the present time.
The term gazyk (yazyh) is a Slavonic form.
It means language or speech, v< X\ • r«^cws\ ^
But is it also used, by extension, to mean nation, family, or papula-
tion ? So truly is this the case, that the Slavonic of the first line of
NOTES ON SECTION I. 17
the quotation from Nestor * runs, " Ot sichzke lxx i dwn jazylcu
byst jazyk Slovenesk,"= From such lxx and two tongues is the
Slovenian tongue. . &m/,*«.*s££
The Bohemians and Moravians call themselves Czechsky Gazyk
and Moravsky Gazyk respectively.
As this may -j- safely be considered to be the Jazyg- in Jazyg-es, it
is a sound inference to presume the existence of a Slavonic popula-
tion whenever that name occurs.
10 Dacis.] — Ancient Dacia comprises the modern principalities of
Wallachia and Moldavia ; and it is these two countries which more
strongly remind us of the Dacia of Trajan and Decebalus. Here it
is where the language of the Romans still remains ; so that the pre-
sent Romany of the Lower Danube belongs to the same philological
division with the French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Grison ;
in other words, it is one of the daughters of the great Latin tongue.
But ancient Dacia comprised something more than Wallachia
and Moldavia. All Transylvania, at least half the Banat, and at
least half the rest of Hungary, belonged to it. Half-way between
the Thiess and the Transylvanian boundary, runs a line of supposed
Roman remains, and these most probably separated the Roman pro-
vince of Dacia from the independent Jazyges Metanastse of the Thiess.
Now this was a political division ; but the political division does
not reach far enough west. In order to bring Dacia in contact
with Germania, we must make an ethnological frontier, and seek
for Dacians beyond the province of Dacia. This is easily done,
since the name was one of a widely-spread and only partially-con-
quered population. The Daci of the text — the Daci of the Germanic
frontier — were what Zeuss calls the independent Dacians (freie
Dahen), and their locality was the Gallician side of Hungary. They
are said by Pliny to have originally occupied the valley of the
Tibiscus, from which they were expelled by the Jazyges.
11 Montibus.~\ — This means the Medves Range and the northern
continuation of the Bakohyer Wald, the frontier being that of the Ger-
mans and Dacians, rather than that of the Germans and Sarmatce.
12 Alpium.~\ — Varieties of form — "AX€ta, Stephanus Byzantinus ;
"0\€ta, Phavorinus ; 2,d\iria, Lycophron.
* Prolegom., p. xxiii. f For a shade of doubt on the point, see Epilegom., § Siculi.
C
18 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Origin of the word, Keltic — the root being the root of the word
Albainn = Albion = hilly land = Scotland == Great Britain — " Gal-
lorum lingua Alpes monies alii appellantur." — Isid. Hisp., Or. xiv. 8.
13 Abnoba.] — This name is 'perhaps Ke\tic,=ben + abh,=head of
the waters. The etymology, however, is but a guess, and nothing
depends upon it.
One of the names of the forest of the Mons Abnoba was Silva
Marciana, the forest of the March, a name very illustrative of the
extent to which the agri Decumates was a debatable land.
14 Plures populos.] — In the eyes of the cotemporaries of Tacitus,
the groups of population along the line of the Danube were — begin-
ning at its source — as follows :
1. The occupants of the Decumates agri, on both sides.
2. The Vindelicians or Northern Rhceti, on the south. On the
north, the Southern Germans.
3. Noricum — Upper and Lower Austria, on the south. On the
north, certain Marcomanni (?).
4. Pannonia, on the south ; on the north, the country of the
Quad!. The direction now changes, as we have reached the great
bend, so that instead of saying the north and south, it is convenient
to say the right and left banks.
5. Pannonia continued, on the right ; the country of the Jazyges
and western Daci, on the left.
6. 7. The Massias {Superior and Inferior), on the right ; Bacia,
on the left.
These coincide with the present countries of
1. Baden and Wurtemburg=the Decumates agri.
2. Bavaria =Vindelicia and South Germania.
3. Upper and Lower Austria= Noricum.
4. 5. Upper Hungary=Pannonia and the country of the Quadi
and Jazyges.
6, 7. Servia and Bulgaria=the Mcesias; Wallachia, Moldavia,
and Bessarabia (?)=Dacia.
Ethnologically, I believe, the whole river to have been unequally
divided between the three great stocks so often mentioned already —
the Kelts, the Germans, and the Sarmatians, with a few Turks and
Ugrians towards its mouth. But the proof of this, as well as the
details, are to be collected from the Notes in general.
NOTES ON SECTION II. 19
II. Ipsos Germanos indigenas crediderim, minime-
que aliarum gentium adventibus et hospitiis mixtos :
quia nee terra olim, sed classibus advehebantur, qui
mutare sedes quserebant ; ' et immensus ultra, utque
sic dixerim, adversus Oceanus raris ab orbe nostro
navibus aditur. Quis porro, prseter periculum hor-
ridi et ignoti maris, Asia aut Africa aut Italia relicta,
Germaniam peteret ? informem terris, asperam coelo,
tristem cultu aspectuque, nisi si patria sit. Celebrant
carminibus 2 antiquis (quod unum apud illos memorise et
annalium genus est) " Tuistonem 3 deum terra editum, et
filium Mannum, 4 originemgentis conditoresque. Manno
tres filios adsignant, e quorum nominibus proximi Oce-
ano Ingsevones, 5 medii Hermiones, 6 ceteri Istsevones 7
vocentur." Quidam autem licentia vetustatis, " plures
deo ortos, pluresque gentis appellationes, Marsos, 8 Gam-
brivios, 9 Suevos, 10 Vandalios n adfirmant : " eaque vera
et antiqua nomina. Ceterum Germanise vocabulum
recens 12 et nuper adclitum : quoniam qui primi Rhenum
transgress! Gallos expulerint, ac nunc Tungri, tunc
Germani vocati shit : ita nationis nomen, non gentis
evaluisse paullatim, ut omnes primiim a victore ob me-
tum, mox a seipsis invento nomine, Germani voca-
rentur." " Fuisse apud eos et Herculem" 13 memorant,
primumque omnium virorum forfcium ituri in proelia
canunt.
NOTES ON SECTION II.
1 Nec terra olim, sed classibus advehebantur, qui mutare sedes quasre-
bant.~] — This appears at first to be the remark of a Greek rather than
of a Roman writer ; the induction upon which it rests being sup-
plied from the maritime enterprises of the Greeks and Carthaginians.
But, in truth, it is a statement of great import and generality ; of
an import and generality probably scarcely appreciated by Taci-
tus himself, and certainly unappreciated by the majority of his
c2
20 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
commentators, as well as by writers on history and ethnology in
general.
Far too many inquirers either adopt or acquiesce in the current
notion that migrations are phenomena, which we may assume to any
extent required, not only on account of the facts demanding explana-
tion, but in order to sustain the accuracy of even indifferent authors.
To such, it is as easy to bring a population from the Baltic to the
Mediterranean, across a whole series of hostile countries, as to move
a knight across a chess-board. The great name of Niebuhr justifies
this gratuitous prodigality of locomotion. Nay more, it seems so
philosophic to trace a so-called national movement to its primary
cause, that a known invasion in one quarter is often supposed to
justify the assumption of an unknown one elsewhere — so that
nations press each other forwards, themselves being pressed upon.
This doctrine, with metaphors and illustrations to match, is plausible
enough to be widely recognised.
It means, in its naked form, that a attacks b, because he cannot
support himself against c, c being similarly situated in respect to
d, and so on ; a view which makes the great qualification for the
attack of another nation's country, the inability to defend one's
own.
This doctrine we would gladly believe to be true. It would
diminish by nine-tenths the crimes of the warlike part of the human
species. It would reduce all but the first primary movements to a
matter of necessity, and so justify them. The motives for aggres-
sion would not be envy, cruelty, and cupidity, but the unpleasant
necessity of choosing between reparation for what has been lost to
yourself by the appropriation of what belongs to another, and death
or bondage.
A little analysis, and a few distinctions, will show that, instead of
migrations being thus common, they are eminently rare.
A migration is different from a mere extension of frontier. No
one says, that when the whole American population presses west-
wards, at the rate of (say) twelve miles a year, there is a migration.
The frontier has been advanced ; the advancing population being
continuous with the stationary, and no separation of one portion of
the American population from another having taken place. The
Russians are gradually encroaching upon the Siberians ; and the
English on the Welsh ; yet none of these are instances of migration.
A migration is different from a return, or re-migration. No
NOTES ON SECTION II. 21
one would call the retreat of the ten thousand Greeks a migration
in the usual sense of the term.
In order to even approach the idea of a true migration, there
must he a fresh country ; and there must be a discontinuity of area
as well. In other words, a migration implies the occupation of one
area by the inhabitants of another, combined with the non-occupation
of the intervening parts. Without this latter element, it is a mere
extension of frontier. To apply an illustration already made, a
migration is like the JcnigMs move at chess.
If these intervening parts be portions of the ocean, or a river, their
non-occupation is a matter of course ; and hence, migrations by
water are common. If, however, they be by land, they are so rare
that, throughout the whole history of the German stock, I know no
unexceptionable instance of one.
Alsatia, Franche-Comte, Burgundy, Switzerland, and France (so
far as it is German), became Germanized by extension of frontier.
By extension of frontier the Slavonic tribes were displaced.
Theodoric's conquest of Rome was as little a migration as the
seizure of the empire by the hands of any commander in Pan-
nonia would have been. It was a mere military occupation.
The Anglo-Saxon migration was by sea ; and that the Gothic
invasions of Alaric and others were the same, is highly pro-
bable. The Goths themselves, probably, reached Moesia by navigat-
ing the Danube.
For a migration to be unexceptionable, the evidence of its occur-
rence must be unexceptionable also ; i.e., it must be referable to
contemporary testimony. This is because migration was as favorite
a mode of accounting for the more irregular distributions of popula-
tion with ancient writers as it is with modern.
The difference between migrations and great military movements
is difficult to draw. If, however, we choose to distinguish between
an army with a number of camp-followers, and a migration properly
so-called, by considering that the presence of females, aged men,
and children, is necessary to constitute the latter (making it a move-
ment, TravSr/fxel) the rarity of this presumedly common phenomenon
is indefinitely enhanced — so much so, that a land migration (as
distinguished from one by water), a migration with separation from
the original area (as distinguished from mere advance of frontier), a
migration to a fresh land (as distinguished from a return), and
a migration navcrjiuei (as distinguished from a multitudinous army)
22 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
is an occurrence of which the whole range of history gives us no
undoubted instance.
Even the approaches to this are not numerous ; the most remarkable
of these being the Helvetic, as described by Caesar, and the Majiar,
of the ninth century, by which Hungary was peopled by Ugrians.
Nevertheless, the former, as far as we follow it, was a mere advance
of frontier, and the latter a military conquest.
2 Carminibus.] — The earliest verses in any Gothic languages are the
older poems of the Anglo-Saxons ; indeed, with the exception of the
Gospels of Ulphilas, and a few other fragments of the Moeso-Gothic,
referable to the fourth and fifth centuries, the oldest specimens of
any Gothic tongue, in any shape whatever — prose or verse — are to
be found in that dialect. In the Mcoso-Gothic, nothing is extant
but prose.
These poems must be considered in respect to their form and
their subject.
a. The form. — Judging from the earliest poems that have come
down to us, poems which there is no good reason for believing were
essentially different from those of the time of Tacitus, the metre
was alliterative. There was accent, and there was the recurrence of
similar sounds within certain j^riods ; but there was no quantity, as
in the Latin and Greek, and no rhyme, as in the English, German,
and French. The rule was that within the space of one long or two
short lines, two or more accented initial syllables should begin with
the same letter.
All the vowels were considered as identical ; so that three words
beginning with a, e, or u respectively, would all be considered as
beginning with a, and stand in alliteration to each other. The fol-
lowing extract is from the beginning of Beowulf, a poem of consi-
derable antiquity, and known as the longest specimen of the Anglo-
Saxon heroic narrative. The alliterative syllables are in Italics.
Hw^t we (?ar-Dena What we of Gar-Danes
in ^rear-dagum, In yore-days,
peod-cyninga, Of people-kings
]>rym ge-frunon — Glory have heard —
hu $a oepelingas How the iEthelings
ellen fremedon — Power advanced —
oft Scyld Reefing, Of Scyld Scefing.
NOTES ON SECTION II. 23
sceafen(a) preatum, To the hosts of enemies (scatters).
monegu maegjmm, To many tribes,
meodo-setla of-teah — The mead-settle pulled (them) off.
egsode eorl — The earl terrified,
sySSan ce'rest wearS Since he first was
/ea-sceaft /unden ; An outcast found.
he pees /rofre ge-ba(d), He therefore joyful abided,
weox under ^0olcnum, Waxed under welkin,
weorft-myndum f»ah ; With worth-memorials throve.
o<5 f him «2g-hwlyc Till him each
para ymb-sittendra, Of them around-sitting
ofer Aron-r&de, Over the whale-road,
hyr&n scolde, Hear should,
#omban ^yldan— Tribute pay.
b. The subject. — In the early poems alluded to, the subject is what
the present statement of Tacitus leads us to expect. The deeds of
great warriors are narrated, and the poems approach the character of
epics. Beowulf, the poem last quoted, contains upwards of seven
thousand lines. Its hero is an Angle ; whose exploits are battles
against both men and monsters, involving no small amount of super-
natural agency. Hence, it is mythological rather than historical.
The chief localities are the fen-districts of Hanover and Sleswick-
Holstein, on the Saxon, Frisian, and Danish frontiers. Of England
there is no mention. Hence, although the dialect is Anglo-Saxon,
it must be considered as exhibiting those Hanoverian Saxons who
took no part in the English migration. Again — although, in the
form in which it has come down to us, there are several passages
which prove the latest transcriber to have been a Christian, the
nucleus of the poem is referable to the times of German paganism.
Lastly; it contains several so-called episodes. Of course, these may
be looked upon as integral parts of the original poem — just like the
episode of Sin and Death in the Paradise Lost. Nevertheless, the
more probable view is that they are smaller poems, out of which
the longer epic has been subsequently constructed — rhapsodically.
The Battle of Finnesburh is a fragment, and has the appear-
ance of referring to a real historical event more than Beowulf. This
is also, to all appearances, Hanoverian.
In the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the entry under a.d. 937, in-
stead of being a statement in prose is a poem of considerable length,
24 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
known under the title of The Battle of Brunanburg. Many other
such poetical extracts could be added from either the Anglo-Saxon
Chronicle, or from the Heimskringla of Snorro Sturleson, in Icelandic.
Sometimes they stand as authorities : sometimes they replace the
prose narrative.
Such are some of the poems whose form and contents most help us
to realize the nature of those older records to which Tacitus alludes.
But there are other sources besides. After the great and per-
manent conquests of such sovereigns as Theodoric and Alboin,
Gothic historians who wrote in Latin, investigated the old poems
and traditions of their nation ; and, although these poems and tra-
ditions in their original forms are lost, the matter of them may be
found in more than one writer of the sixth, seventh, and eighth
centuries. Of these the most famous are Jornandes and Paulus
Diaconus, one for the Goths of the East in the sixth, the other for
the Lombards in the eighth centuries. — See Epilegomena.
Again — in the old laws traces of metrical expression may be
found.
Lastly, the numerous poetical narratives of the twelfth and thir-
teenth centuries contain, amongst many other heterogeneous ele-
ments, both in the way of tradition and mythology, much that
is both indigenous and ancient.
Nevertheless, the difficulty of reconstructing the traditions of the
time of Tacitus are great and, perhaps, insuperable. We are fortu-
nate in approaching a distinct conception of them so nearly as we do.
3 Tuistonem.] — All the statements that I can make concerning
the deity are negative.
He appears in a definite, unequivocal shape nowhere amongst any
of the Germanic or Saxon forms of heathendom : nor yet in the
Edda.
So exclusively does the notice of him begin and end with Tacitus,
that it looks as if either the German creeds had changed between
the second and fifth centuries, or as if the Germans of Tacitus were
not the Germans of subsequent history. I do not say that either of
these alternatives was the case. I make the remark chiefly for
the sake of showing the difference between what we learn from
Tacitus and what we learn elsewhere, in the way of Gothic my-
thology.
Another reading is Tuisco. Perhaps it is the best. It certainly
NOTES ON SECTION II. 25
gives us a more Germanic form ; since, by supposing the -isk to be
the adjectival ending preserved down to our own times in words
like sel£-isk, we have a truly Gothic termination. Yet this is but
little. Tu-isco, if dealt with as an adjective derived from a simpler
form Tu-, would still leave a difficulty : since it is not likely that
the name of a deity would be given in an adjectival form — i.e., as
an epithet rather than as substantive name. Who ever heard of the
Greeks worshipping "Apsiog (instead of'Ap^e), or of the Romans
considering Martialis (rather than Mars) as their founder's father 1
Precisely the same is the unlikelihood of Tuis-c-o being an ad-
jective.
For this reading, however, Zeuss argues strongly ; and I draw
attention to his reasoning for the sake of objecting to it. It is clear,
that, when we say that such or such a form is the right reading,
because it gives us certain results, and then that those results are
to be admitted because such or such a reading is to be found, we
argue in a circle. The reading must stand on its own proper
grounds, i.e., the value and number of the MSS. wherein it occurs.
To correct it on the strength of anything inferred from the correc-
tion itself is illegitimate. Yet this is nearly always the case with
the commentators on the Germania, e.g., in the case of the word
in question, Zeuss writes thus : " Tuisco (Tuisto is the wrong read-
ing), which is better with the vowel transposed (Tiusco), is in
respect to its derivation like Cheru-sci, and is in the same relation
to Tiu (= deus) as the later form mannisco, mennisco or mensch is
to the older mann." — P. 72.
Surely, instead of this bare statement, the collation of the MSS.
should have been laid before the reader.
To such high authorities then as Zeuss, the adjectival form of a
deity's name is no objection. Neither does it seem to be so to
Grimm, who, consequently, takes Tuisco as the reading, and Ty- as
the root. This latter is thus declined in the Norse of the Edda.
Nom. Ty-r. Gen. Ty-s. Ace. Ty.
The Old High German form is Ziu, and the Anglo-Saxon Tiw.
This is the deity that gives its name to Tue-s-day.
By carrying out this view we make Ziu=Tiu=Tiv=Div, the
root in div-us; thus connecting the classical and Gothic mythologies.
— D. M. ad voc.
4 Mannum.] — All that applies to the word Tuisto (or Tuisco),
26 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
applies to the root Mann-, also. It belongs to the German mytho-
logy, as explained to the informants of Tacitus. It is foreign to it
in all its later and more specific forms.
At the same time, the criticism which gets over the difficulties pre-
sented by the one name grapples with those that attend the other.
Hence, Jfa?inw=man, and denotes humanity ; even as Ty=Tiv=
Div- denotes div-inity.
5 Ingaivones.] — In the Anglo-Saxon poem of Beowulf we find these
lines —
Ing woes oerest Ing was first (erst)
Mid East-denum With (the) East-Dene
Gesewen secgum ; Seen men ;
06 he siSban east Until he afterwards (since) eastward
Ofer va?g gevat. Over (the) wave went.
Dus Heardingas Thus (the) Heardings
Done hade nemdon. The man named.
II. 779—787.
Again — Freyr, one of the Eddaic deities, is called Ingvi-J?rejr.
Thirdly — the root re-appears in several proper names ; e.g. in
Tng-uiomerus, — the older form of Hincmar.
Lastly — one of the heroic royal families of Sweden is Yng-ling-ar,
or descendants of Ingvi ; ar being the sign of the plural number,
and ing, like •tcrjg in Greek, a patronymic form.
Beyond this, nothing in any later writer or record illustrates the
term Ing-cevones.
6 Hermiones.~\ — In numerous Old German and Norse compounds
the element -rni-n is found as a prefix ; its power being to convey the
notion of vastness, antiquity, or some similar reverential idea. Thus
Irmin-diot=tke human kind; Iormund-adr=the great serpent.
More famous still was the Irmin-sul of the Old Saxons of West-
phalia 3 a pillar or column embodying to the last the superstitions
of the nation, and, finally, destroyed by Charlemagne.
Again — the word Hermunduri, as applied to certain Germans of
the south-east, is a similar compound.
Lastly — the names Arminius= Herman contain the same funda-
mental sounds.
Beyond this nothing in any later writer illustrates the term
Hermiones.
NOTES ON SECTION II. 27
7 Istcevones.'] — Here the reading is doubtful, Isccevones being
another form.
The existence of an heroic (or semi-heroic) family called Astings,
gives us the nearest approach to the illustration for the former ; the
root Ask, in Ascipurgium, for the latter. See not. ad v.
It may safely be said that the carmina antiqua that explain any
part of the mythology in a satisfactory form, are as thoroughly lost
as the mythology which suggested the carmina antiqua.
8 Marsos.] — The locality of the Marsi was the country about Essen,
in Westphalia. — See Epilegomena, § Chattuarii.
9 Gambrivios.~\ — What applies to the Marsi applies to the Gambrivii
also ; to which it may be added, that the Gambr- in this latter word
is, in the opinion of Zeuss, the -gambr- in Si-cambr-i.
For further notice, see Epileqomena v. Sicambri.
10 Suevos.~\ — See Epilegomena in v.
11 Vandalios.] — See Epilegomena in v.
12 Germanice vocdbulum recens.] — This and note I. 1. are comple-
mentary to each other.
Notwithstanding the words a seipsis invento nomine, I believe that
the word German was as foreign to the ancient Germans, as the
word Welsh is to a Cambro-Briton. The natives of the principality
as is well known, call themselves Cumraig. Welsh, is what they
are called by their neighbours.
From Tacitus's own evidence, the name is new. This, which is
prima, facie evidence of its not being native, is conclusive as to the
fact of their having originally had no collective designation.
The particular portion of the Germanic population which crossed
the Rhine, had two names,— ^m^ri and Germani. Tacitus ex-
plains this by assuming a difference of time, — one appellation being
old, the other recent. I know no instance of such a change. The
real fact seems to have been, that Tungri was the native, Germani
the Gallic name for one and the same people, — just like Welsh and
Cumraig, Englishman and Sassenach.
The extension of the designation of a particular tribe, family, or
nation, to a whole stock, is well illustrated by the word Grcecia.
28 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Small and unimportant, — possibly even non-Hellenic — as the little
Epirote tribe of the Grceci was, it was they who gave the Roman
name to Hellas.
13 Hercidem.]— See Notes, ix. 3.
III. Sunt illis base quoque carmiua, quorum relatu,
quern Barditum 1 vocant, accendunt animos, futurt"cque
pugnae fortunam ipso cantu augurantur ; terrent enim,
trepidantve, prout sonuit acies. Nee tam voces ilia?,
quam virtutis concentus videntur : adfectatur praacipue
asperitas soni, et fractum murmur, objectis ad os scutis,
quo plenior et gravior vox repercussu intumescat.
Cetemm et " Ulixem"" quidam opinantur, " longo illo et
fabuloso errore in hunc Oceanum delatum, adisse Ger-
manise terras, Asciburgiumque, quod in ripa Rheni
situm, bodieque incolitur, ab illo constitutum, no-
minatumque A2KIfITPrOIN. 2 Aram quinetiam
Ulixi consecratam, adjecto Laertse patris nomine,
eodem loco, olim repertam : monumentaque, et tu-
mulos quosdam, Grsecis Uteris inscriptos, in confinio
Germanise Rbaatiajque adbuc exstare," quae neque
confirmare argumentis, neque refellere in animo est :
ex ingenio suo quisque demat vel addat fidem.
NOTES ON SECTION III.
1 JBarditum.] — The usual name of the poet in the Germanic tongues
was scop; in the Scandinavian skald. No such root as bard
occurs ; and no derivatives of it are known.
It is to the Keltic languages that it belongs, and is so foreign to all
the Gothic that, notwithstanding the words barditum vocant, I can-
not believe that any German ever so designated either his national
songs, or his national music. That they had much in common with
NOTES ON SECTION III. 29
those of the Gauls is credible ; but that the name was the same is
unlikely. In the present case, then, Tacitus describes a German
custom by a Gallic name. That his error goes thus far I believe.
I do not, however, believe that it goes farther ; in other words, I do
not think that the practice which he describes is so Gallic as not to
be Germanic also ; or that he has confused the custom as well as
misapplied the term.
At the same time there is another view which may be taken. It
is just possible that Gallic bards might have formed part of the
retinue of certain German chiefs ; in which case they may have been
called by their employers by the name they bore at home. However,
the national character of their functions, consisting as it did of the
recital of native poems, is against this.
Lastly — if a reasonable interpretation of the root b-rd-, can be
obtained from any Gothic tongue, all objections against the present
statement falls to the ground.
At present, however, it is best explained by assuming the falli-
bility of the author in which it occurs.
Lucan's notice of the bardic poetry and doctrine is as follows : —
Vos quoque qui fortes animas, belloque peremptas
Laudibus in longum vates dimittitis sevum,
Plurima securi fudistis carmina Bardi.
Et vos barbaricos ritus, moremque sinistrum
Sacrorum Druidse positis repetistis ab armis.
Solis nosse deos, et coeli numina vobis,
Aut solis nescire datum est ; nemora alta remotis
Incolitis lucis : vobis auctoribus, umbrae
Non tacitas Erebi sedes, Ditisque profundi
Pallida regna petunt ; regit idem spiritus artus
Orbe alio ; longse, canitis si cognita, vitse
Mors media est. Certe populi quos despicit Arctos,
Felices errore suo, quos ille timorum
Maximus, haud urget leti metus ; inde ruendi
In ferrum mens prona viris, animseque capaces
Mortis, et ignavum rediturae parcere vitse.
Pharsal. i. 447—462.
In Lithuanic the root b-rt appears with the meaning of seer, or
fortune-teller.
30 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
2 ASKHIYPriON In German btirg=town, berg=hill, ge-birg-c
=range of hills.
As the reading here is IlYPr- (a reading which we must take as
we find it) the first of these three meanings must be the one admit-
ted in the first instance.
Ash, on the other hand, is the English word ash, a prefix which
applies better to a hill than to a town. This modifies our view, and
supplies a reason for believing that IlEPr- would have been the
truer affix. Perhaps the analogy of irvpyoQ misled the classical
writers.
That the notion that -purg stands for what would more correctly
have been -perg, is by no means gratuitous, is shown by the follow-
ing cases : —
a. The wooded range of the Westphalian hills is called Saltus
Tentohwgiensis, not Teutobergiensis.
b. A similarly wooded range on the east side of Bohemia (the
Riesegebirge) is called by Ptolemy WoKiGovpyiov opog.
The use of p for b is a Bavarianism, and suggests the likelihood of
the form in question being of Alemannic origin.
Probably the true name was Ask-L-ipirki=Ash4ree Mountains.
The comparative absence of towns in Germany favours the idea of
the u being incorrect.
A long list of words in Zeuss shows the extent to which the ash
entered into the names of topographical localities — Aslc-i-tuna, Asc-
a-brunno, Asc-feld, Asch-a-bach, "*« ft ©
* -•* cb n 1 4jt -+ ic -f "b -* •■* tf rr 1 rt* ^ '■ 4t< cb o
Ditto from
upper root
of zygoma-
tic proi
-->z --.'0<~- Ma©
aDHCCHCoorico'fnc! ; co co : : o ** ,-h
i< ■i' Tf ■* Tf o -ii c o c o ^ • o «b " ' «5 «3 «s
Intcrmastoid
lines.
mKS
-CI -101 r-l i-H Hh : -- 1 : -* t- :xo>-i>-io>-h?o ; ;r^o :
ra-tf ■ -^ 'Tf« • cb Tt< cb cb •* -* -* • • ^ -^ •
Intcrmastoid
arch from
upper root
of zygoma-
tic process.
-*1 r-i O C ""
oo9^nffiOMOHn-*«9HTii . co co ©
Intcrmastoid
arch.
m c} . gc qq co co .990D1CHC090 . -* C» .
Vertical dia-
meter.
r— co © co cn c^ <*i :90H-f(pooN : ^ *p t
-t* «b «b 4t* «s io
•b^ib^^iboibibibibibibibibibibibibib
Longitudinal
diameter.
oOHOton'ocifJccnion^wS'iaDQH
h (N n ^ n oi d n 06 a r-i oi «* ^ ib © n
HHHIMOqWOlOlOKMM
•ppo £ia\ *p[o Xp}BJappj\[
NOTES ON SECTION VI. 39
2 Frameas.] — This is a true German gloss. It means a stabbing
rather than a cutting instrument ; its present power being pfriem=
punch, aid, bodkin. The fitrze is called p/n'emere-kraut ; the broom,
pfriemen-holtz ; and the Narclus structa, Ffriemen-grsis.
Isidorus Hispalensis wrongly derives it from ferr amentum ;
"Framea gladius est ex utraque parte acutus, quam vulgo spatham
vocant. Framea autem dicta quia ferrea est, nam sicut ferramen-
tum sic framea dicitur, ac proinde omnis gladius framea^ — Origg.
xviii. 6, 3.
It is difficult to imagine any objections to the connexion between
framea and pfrieme, except such as arise out of the possibility of the
modern word having been derived from the gloss in Tacitus — a not
unreasonable doctrine. This, however, is set aside by the extent to
which the word is shown by its compound, to be truly German. It
is also set aside by the extent to which it appears throughout the
Gothic languages — ■ Dutch priem, Anglo-Saxon preon, Icelandic
prion.
Objections, however, have been raised. The p is not exactly the
sound which, in the eyes of the strict believers in the uniformity of
letter-changes, grows out of/. Neither is the diphthong exactly what
would be developed out of a. Neither is the sense exactly the same
— " The diphthong varies, and the sense does so still more — der diph-
thong aber abweicht, und der begrif noch mehr." — D. S. i. 515.
There is no objection to this minute criticism ; indeed, in and of
itself, it is good. The change from fr- to pfr- is not of the most
usual sort ; perhaps it is unique.
Again — the a in framea is short, as shown by a line of Juvenal —
Per Solis radios, Tarpeiaque fulmina jurat,
Et Martis frdmeam, et Cirrhsei spicula vatis. — Sat. xiii. 78.
And a short vowel is not the best origin to a long diphthong.
Then, as a sword cuts, whereas a framea stabs, the " sense is dif-
ferent."
All this is good, if taken alone. It is good against an etymologist
who asserts that the connexion between pfrieme and framea is so
undoubted and undeniable that no sane philologist can demur to it.
It is also good against any other etymology equally exceptionable
or unexceptionable.
But it is not good against such an etymology as the following,
followed up by the forthcoming inferences.
40 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
a. Framea is either a clerical error, or a mistake for franca.
b. Franca was a weapon used by the Franks, from whom it took
its name.
I will lay before the reader all that can be said in favour of this view.
a. As admitted, the change from fr- to pfr- is not of a common
kind.
b. In the old uncial MS. NC and M are often confused.
c. France in Anglo-Saxon, and frakka in Norse = javelin.
d. The Spaniards called axes franciscce after the Franks — "secures
— quas et Hispani ab usu Francorum, per derivationem Franciscas
vocant." — Isid. Hispal. xviii. G, 3.
Observe, that in this last case, the writer who finds an awl, bodkin,
as too unlike a dagger to connect pfrieme with framea, finds no dif-
ficulty in connecting an axe with a javelin.
Observe, too, that francisca, as an adjective, can, at best, but
mean the Frankish weapon.
Of the Anglo-Saxon and Norse forms, /ranee and frakka, I by no
means undervalue the importance.
Now let us look to the assumptions requisite for this view.
In Juvenal the word occurs, throughout the MSS., us framea.
In Tacitus it occurs seven times, and, throughout the MSS., as
framea.
Surely the likelihood of the M becoming NC, as opposed to this,
is only a presumption against a fact.
But the first Roman writer who, by using the word, introduced
it into Rome, may have written framea for franca, and so the error
have been propagated. This, I submit, is only valid against some-
thing else equally hypothetical. It is not enough to say that an
author may blunder. If it were so, any man might believe or
disbelieve what he chooses. The particular likelihood of each
blunder must be shown.
Still the assumption may possibly be legitimate ; since it is pos-
sible that the hypothesis, which arises out of them, may clear away
numerous and considerable difficulties, do away with numerous and
considerable improbabilities, and so gain credence on the strength of
the phenomena for which it will account.
Let us see what is done in this way.
It does just the contrary to what it ought.
The Franks, under the name of Frank, appear in history, for
the first time, in the second century — no earlier.
NOTES ON SECTION VI. 41
To have given, however, the name to a weapon, mentioned by-
Tacitus and Juvenal, they must have existed under that name
in the first — existed, as it were, in a latent state, and unknown as
Franks to the legions and commanders who conquered them. I
scarcely think that this strengthens the case.
Still the derivation may be both valid and valuable. It may
teach us to look for the Franks more closely, and, consequently, to
find them earlier than is supposed.
It has done this in the case of its chief supporter. Ptolemy
mentions a people called, ' 'AvapTotypaicroL, in Pannonia — and these
are considered to be typcucroi, or tepayicoi.
But Pannonia is a long way from the Frank country. Not
too far for an etymologist. They came from the East, as, in the
eyes of the etymologist, all populations do.
Sigebertus Gemblacensis writes, " Francis post Priamum, Priami
filius Marcomerus et Sunno filius Antenoris principantur annis
xxxvi., quorum ducatu Franci Sicambria egressi consedere secus
Rhenum in oppidis Germanise."
Here the force of etymology stops, for it has not hitherto gone so
far as to connect framea with King Priam.
But, though all this may be wrong, there was really a relationship
between the Franks and the Pannonians. Yes ; Augustus planted
a Sicambrian * legion in Hungary. No such Sicambrian colony,
however, will make 'AvaprocppaKToi Franks, or deduce the subjects
of Clovis from the Danube, any more than our Indian possessions
will make London a colony of Calcutta.
Now the previous doctrine is not the fruit of the old empirical
etymology, which took no account of consonants, and looked upon
vowels as nothing, but the result of those so-called iron-bound
laws of letter-change, which lead their supporters to demur to
deducing pfrieme from framea.
There are certain things less legitimately assumed than an un-
manageable letter-change ; and a migration which connects the
Franks to ' AvaprotypaKToi is one of them.
The doctrine exhibited above is James Grimm's. — D. S. i. 512
—519.
But the change from fr-, to pfr-, is by no means a serious dif-
ficulty ; since there is no proof of its ever having taken place.
* See Epilegomcna, § Sicambri.
4:2 the Germany of tacitus.
"W ho shall say that, although Tacitus wrote framed, the sound was
not that of pfram ? The combination of an aspirate with its own
lene, although found in the classical writers, where two syllables
meet, as in TuTdot and SaV^w, is an impossible combination at the
beginning of a word. Hence, if the combination which they heard
in speech, were ever so much pfr-, their mode of representing it,
or spelling, would be either pr- ovfr-, as the case might be.
; Women et honor.]— Viz. the word hundred.— See Notes, xii. 5.
VII. Reges exnobilitate; 1 duces ex virtute summit.
Nee regibus infinita aut libera potestas : et duces
exemplo potius quam imperio : si prompti, si con-
spicui, si ante aciem agant, admiratione prsesunt.
Ceteriim, neque animadvertere, neque vincire, ne
verberare quidem, nisi sacerdotibus 3 permissum : non
quasi in poenam, nee ducis jussu, sed velut deo im-
perante, quern adesse bellantibus credunt : effigiesque,
et signa qusedam, detracta lucis, in proelium ferunt.
Quodque pracipuum fortitudinis incitamentum est,
non casus, nee fortuita conglobatio turmam aut cu-
neum facit, sed familiar et propinquitates : 4 et in
proximo pignora: unde feminarum ululatus audiri,
unde vagit'us infantium : hi cuique sanctissimi testes,
hi maximi laudatores. Ad matres, ad conjuges vul-
nera ferunt : nee illse numerare, aut exigere plagas
pavent. Cibosque et hortamina pugnantibus gestant.
NOTES ON SECTION VII.
1 Reges ex nobilitcde^\ — The best measure of the extent to which the
highest executive power was hereditary, is to be found in the fact of
the Cherusci, after the extinction of all the royal family within the
country, sending to Italy for a Romanized Cheruscan — a sort of
Edgar Atheling, whose descent more than counterbalanced his ex-
NOTES ON SECTION VII. 43
patriation. — " Eodem anno Cheruscorum gens regem Roma petivit,
amissis per interna bella nobilibus, et uno reliquo stirpis regise, qui
apud Urbem liabebatur, nomine Italicus. Paternum huic genus e
Flavio, fratre Arminii ; mater ex Oatumero, principe Chattorum
erat." — Ann. xi. 16. Even if we refer a great part of this to Roman
intrigue — a probable assumption — the evidence that the recognition
of the great element of kingly power — descent — was as true a charac-
teristic of some of the early 'Germans, as the sense of personal liberty,
is unexceptionable.
At the same time, it is possible that, in the more fenny and inac-
cessible parts of Friesland, parts less surrounded by conterminous
nations, the approach to either a republican or a patriarchal govern-
ment may have been closer ; the East Frisians, of all the Germans, at
the beginning of the period of undoubted history, being republican.
The name Italicus (and, besides this, there are several other in-
stances of Germans with a Roman name) shows the extent to which
certain individuals, at least, of the Germanic nation were Romanized.
The German equivalent of what Tacitus renders rex (or rather the
German word to which Tacitus uses rex as an equivalent) was pro-
bably cyrving in Anglo-Saxon, Jcuninc Old High German. How
far, however, this was a derivative from the word cyne=gen-us (kin)
is uncertain. The best authorities have connected the two.
2 Ditces.] — The German word to which dux stands in the same
relation as rex does to cyning is uncertain. At the beginning of the
literary period we find Anglo-Saxon heretoga, and Old High German
herizzoJio the equivalents to dux ; and at the present day her-zog-thum
in High German, and her-tug-dom in Danish mean duke-dom.
Whether, however, the combination h-r + t-g was as old as the time
of Tacitus is uncertain.
Perhaps the oldest form of our word earl {eorl Anglo-Saxon, jarl
Norse) has a better claim — at least for the Saxons and Scandinavians.
The fact that makes the compound h-r + t-g doubtful is the pos-
sibility of the German word -tog having originated out of the Latin
dux (duc-s).
Supposing, however, the two words to have existed, it is probable
that the heri-toga found his duty on the marches, the eorl in the more
central parts of the country.
3 Sacerdotibus.] — The pagan name to what Tacitus considered sacer-
44 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
dos the equivalent, is difficult to ascertain. The word to which I most
incline is some composition of the root blot=litare ; perhaps blot-
man. A Burgundian gloss sinistus=sacerdos has come down to us.
4 Families et propi?iquitates.~\ — Ctesar's term is cognationes.
The probable name for this was mceg-sceaft=-mate-ship, or sib-
sceaft=sib-ship.
The family itself was mceg^i ; each member a mag a ; plural mceg-as.
The family-bond was mceg-burh.
In Beowulf the warriors who desert their chief are told that
" thenceforth they have forfeited the rights of citizenship,
Folcrihtes sceal
Ssere msegburge
monna igwhile
idel hweorfan.
not, each of you individually, but each and every man of your kin,
cognation, or majgsceaft shall be deprived of his rights of citizen-
ship ; from which we must infer that the misconduct of one person
might compromise his relatives, who are held responsible for his
actions." — Kemble, Saxons in England, i. 235.
VIII. Memorise proditur, quasdam acies inclinatas
jam et labantes a feminis restitutas, constantia pre-
cum, et objectu pectorum, et monstrata cominus capti-
vitate, quam longe impatientiiis feminarum suarum
nomine timent : adeo ut efficacius obligentur animi
civitatum, quibus inter obsides puellae quoque nobiles
imperantur. Inesse quinetiam sanctum aliquid et
providum putant : nee aut consilia earum aspernantur,
aut responsa negligunt. Vidimus, sub divo Vespa-
siano, Veledam, 1 diu apud plerosque numinis loco
habitant. Sed et olim Auriniam, et complures alias
venerati sunt, non adulatione, nee tamquam facerent
deas.
NOTES ON SECTIONS VIII. AND IX. 45
NOTE ON SECTION VIII.
1 Veledam.]— " Ea virgo nationis Bructerae, late imperitabat, vetere
apud Germanos more, quo plerasque feminarum fatidicas, et auge-
scente superstifcione, arbitrantur deas. Tuncque Veledce auctoritas
adolevit ; nam ' prosperas Gerraanis res, et excidium legionum' prse-
dixerat." — Tac. Hist. iv. 61. This was during the war against
Civilis, in whose favour the influence of Veleda was exerted.
Dio Cassius associates her with a virgin named Ganna, placing
each in the Keltic country : — Mdavoe 3e, 6 ~2efiv6viov fiaatXevg, Kal
T*dvva Trdf)0svoQ {i)v Se fiera rrjv BeXjj^av ev KeXtikt] $aid£ovon gehaten,
63rum naman on Denisc.
Done feorSan daeg
hi sealdon him to frofre
Sam foressedan Mercurie
heora in reran gode.
A man there was, called
Mercury during life,
who was very fraudulent
and deceitful in deeds,
and eke loved thefts
and deception :
him the heathen made
a powerful god for themselves,
and by the road-sides
made him offerings,
and upon high hills
brought him sacrifice.
This god was honourable
among all the heathen,
and he is called Odin,
by another name in Danish.
The fourth day
they gave for their advantage
to the aforesaid Mercury
their great god.
-and have been — added between
Other points of resemblance may-
Woden and Mercury. Were these in existence when Tacitus wrote 1
If in existence, did they determine his identification 1 This is dif-
ficult to say. All that can safely be stated is, that, if Woden were
not his analogue of Mercury, no known deity was. That this is not
absolutely conclusive is admitted by Mr. Kemble, who writes : " Why
NOTES ON SECTION IX. 47
the interpretatio Roinana fixed upon Woden as the corresponding
god to Mercury, we do not clearly see ; but we are not acquainted
with the rites and legends which may have made this perfectly clear
to the Romans." — Saxons in England, vol. i. 338. Other facts
deepen the shade of this difficulty. Adam of Bremen, in his de-
scription of the temple at Upsala, writes : " Wodanem vero sculpunt
armatum, sicuti nostri Martem sculpere solent."
Nevertheless, if some known god must be the analogue of Tacitus's
Mercury, and if — besides this — it must be his attributes that deter-
mine the correspondence, Woden's claim — as aforesaid — is the best.
But another series of facts make it possible that the correspond-
ence was determined less by the attributes than the name.
In more than one of the Gothic languages we have a dialogue in
which one of the interlocutors is Solomon. Solomon exhibits his
wisdom in a series of answers put to him by a gibing ironist — who, in
the Anglo-Saxon dialogue, is called Saturnus, but in several of the
French ones Marcou, the fuller and older form of which is Marcolf.
Mr. Kemble, in his edition of the Anglo-Saxon work for the iElfric
Society, has given elaborate reasons for believing that the Marcolf is
Saturnus, and vice versa. The sort of fiction is a common one.
Shrewd common-sense on one side, viewing all things in a practical
light, and tincturing all things with a caustic irony, is brought into
collision with the higher wisdom of a true sage ; and, upon the
ground of a fool being able to ask more questions in an hour than a
wise man can answer in a day, succeeds in puzzling the higher wis-
dom of his opponent.
Now Marcolf is a German name ; and although the Marcolf of
the dialogue may have grown out of the Mercurius of the Classics,
after being introduced on German ground, he may also have had an
independent origin, and have been German from the beginning.
If so, this origin may have been as old as the time of Tacitus, so
that that writer's analogue of his own Mercury may have been what,
subsequently, became Marcolf or Marcou— the name being like, and
the attributes not unlike.
Again — there is another view which may be taken.
The reasoning which has applied to the German analogue of Mars
may, possibly, apply here also. There may have been a name similar
to the Greek Ernies ; in which case the process of a Classical writer
would be, first to identify the deity with a Greek god, and then to
give the result in a Latin denomination.
48 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
At any rate, the root -rm— (similar to that of the Greek 'Ep/xj/r)
occurs in the following notices — " Usee eadera Eres-burg est corrupto
vocabulo dicta, quam et Julius Coesar Romano Imperio suhegit,
quando et Arispolis nouien habet ab eo qui Arts Groeca designatione
et Mars ipse dictus est Latino sermone. Duobus quidem idolis ha)c
dedita fuit, id est Aris, qui urbis mcenibus insertus, quasi dominator
dominantium, et Ermis qui et Mercurius mercimoniis insistentibus
colebatur in forensibus." — Annales Corvienses, ad ann. 1145.
But it is in the famous word Irmin-sul that this root appears with
the greatest prominence. Sul=columna ; so that Irmin-sul is a com-
pound word ; just like Roland-seul, Thors-seid, and JEthelstan-sul.
The Old High-German glosses explain it by pi/ramis, or similar
words; e.g., irmin-sffli—pyramides; irman-sul— colossus, altissima
columna.
Uf einir yrnn mule
Stuont ein Abgott ungeheure
Den hiezen sie ir Koufman.
or,
On an Irminsul
Stood a monstrous idol
"Which they call (Jiight) merchant [chapman).
When Charlemagne conquered the Old (Cheruscan) Saxons of
Westphalia, the demolition of these heathen Irminsuls was one of his
chief objects. His operations are thus described by the contemporary
historians — " Domnus rex Karolus perrexit in Saxoniam et conqui-
sivit Erisburgo et pervenit ad locum qui dicitur Erminsid et succen-
dit ea loca." — Annal. Petavienses. — " Fuit rex Carlus hostiliter in
Saxonia et destruxit fanum eorum quod vocatur Irminsuir —
Annales Laurisham.
Quotations of this kind can be multiplied. They may all be
found in the D. M., pp. 105, 106.
A measure of the vitality of the remnants of the Irmin-cult we
find in the following verses still current amongst the common people
of Westphalia : —
" Hermen, sla dermen
Sla pipen, sla trummen,
De Kaiser wil kummen
Met hamer und stangen
Wil Hermin uphangen."
NOTES ON SECTION IX. 49
or,
" Hermen, strike
Strike pipes, strike drums.
The Kaiser will come
With hammer and tongs
Will Hermin up-hang,"
referring to the demolition of the Irminsul by Charlemagne {Kaiser).
The Irmin here meant may be the hero Arminius deified. His
attributes, however (truly Mercurial), complicate this view : and the
fact of an Irmin-cultus in Westphalia is, to a certain extent (I do not
say how far), a ground for believing that the name Irm- may have
suggested to Tacitus (or rather to Cassar, who first mentions the
German Mercury) the parallel of the text.
Of the previous views I cannot definitely say which is the least
unsatisfactory.
2 Humanis — hostiis.~\ — The extent to which this was the custom
may be measured by the following extracts, chiefly taken from the
D. M. — " Lucis propinquis barbaraa arae, apud quas tribunos et pri-
morum ordinum centuriones mactaverunt." — Tac. Ann. i. 61. " Sed
bellum Hermunduris prosperum, Chattis exitiosius fuit, quia victores
diversam aciem Marti ac Mercurio sacravere, quo voto, equi, viri,
cuncta victa occidioni dantur." — Ann. xiii. 57. "Quorum unus
Radagaisus. . . . Italiam belli feritate aggreditur, promittens san-
guinem Christianorum deis suis litare, si vinceret." — Isidor. Chron.
Goth. a.d. 446. " Quern Martem Gothi semper asperrima placavere
cultura ; nam victims ejus mortes fuere capitorum, opinantes bel-
lorum prsesuleni aptius humani sanguinis effusione placandum." —
Jornandes, c. 5. " Mos est remeaturis decimum quemque captorum
per sequales et cruciarias pcenas, plus ob hoc tristi quod superstitioso
ritu necare." — Sidon. Apollin. viii. 6. " Si quis hominem diabolo sacri-
ficaverit, et in hostiam, more paganorum, deemonibus obtulerit, &c."
— Capitul. de pag. Saxon. 9. " Hoc quoque inter alia crimina agi
in partibus illis dixisti, quod quidam ex fidelibus ad immolandum
paganis suis venundent mancipia." — Epistolae Bonifacii, 25.
That the Kelts did the same is well known.
So did the Lithuanians. — " Dracones adorant cum volucribus,
quibus etiam vivos litant homines, quos a mercatoribus emunt,
diligenter omnino probatos, ne maculam in corpore habeant." —
Adam of Bremen, De Situ Daniae, c. 24. Here we find the import-
E
50 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
ance of the offering being without blemish as definitely recognized
as in the Levitical Law.
So did the Huns and others. — "At Scythiani properant et quan-
toscunque prius in ingressu Scytharum habuere litavere victoria?." —
Jorn. 25. " Apud Cypri Salaminem humanam hostiam Jovi Teucrus
immolavit ; idque sacrificium posteris tradidit, quod est nuper,
Hadriano imperante, sublatum. Erat apud Tauros, inhumanam ac
feram gentem, ut Diana? hospites imniolarent, et id sacrificium
multis temporibus celebratum est. Galli Esum et Teutatem humano
cruore litabant. Ne Latini quidem hujus immanitatis expertes
fuerunt. Siquidem Latialis Jupiter etiam nunc sanguine colitur
humano." — Lactant. De Fals. Relig. lib. i. c. 21.
3 Herculem.~\ — No known German deity has a name sufficiently
like Hercules to suggest the reasoning that was suggested by the
name Marcolf in a preceding note, reasoning which will reappear
in the note that comes next. Hence, it must have been the attributes
only which determined the identification.
Continuing the assumption that the analogue of Tacitus's Hercules
is to be found in the later mythology, it may safely be said that —
attribute for attribute — Thor is, at least, as like the son of Alcmena
as Woden was to Mercury. The hammer of Thor might well have
suggested the club of Hercules.
Add to this the extent and universality of the belief in Thor :
both of which imply antiquity.
4 Martem.] — In a well-known Anglo-Saxon poem in the Runic
characters we find the following lines : —
Ear biS egle
Eorla gehwylcum,
Sonne fsestlice
Flaesc onginneS
Hra colian,
Hrusan ceosan
Blac to
"Wynna gewitaS,
Wera geswica'5.
" Ear is a terror to every man, when fast the flesh, the corpse
beginneth to become cold and pale, to seek the earth for a consort.
Joy faileth, pleasure departeth, engagements cease."
NOTES ON SECTION IX. 51
Mr. Kemble, to whom I owe the whole of the contents of this
note, truly remarks that if ear=spica, arista, an ear of com, we get
but an indifferent sense. On the contrary, if ear mean the God of
War, the force of the passage is manifest. But can ear mean this 1
The following facts speak in the affirmative.
Tue-s-day=dies Martis ; a fact which, as far as it goes, makes
Tiw the analogue of the Roman liars.
In some parts of South Germany, however, the third day of the
week is not called Zistag (Tuesday) but Er-tag, Eri-tag, Erich-tag
instead. Whence Er=Tiw=Mars.
In Saxon Westphalia, an undeniably heathen spot, now called
Mersberg, Mons Martis, was originally called Eres-burg. — Saxons in
England, vol. i. 253.
Such is the light thrown upon the text of Tacitus by subsequent
records ; faint but cheering ; cheering but not satisfactory.
Ear is so like the Greek "Aprjg, that when Tacitus tells us that
the Germans worshipped Mars, we may reasonably suppose that the
name rather than the attributes led him to the identification. But
then, why write Mars instead of Ares ?
On the other hand, if he looked to the attributes rather than the
name, Tiw, the undoubted analogue of Mars, in the word Tue-s-day
(=dies Martis), would be his divinity.
The exact truth is beyond our reach : indeed, it is very likely
that his Mars was neither one nor the other. Nevertheless, if the
choice has to be made between Tiw and Er, it is the latter which
commands the preference. Tiw has the attributes of Mars only : Er
has both the attributes and an approach to his (Greek) name as well.
5 Pars Suevorum — Isidi sacrificat] — I believe that the goddess
here noticed was identified with the iEgyptian on the strength of
her name only.
A goddess named Ziza, was worshipped by the inhabitants of the
parts about Augsburg ; and either by means of tradition, history, or
fragments of her cultus, her name was known to Kiichlin, an Augs-
burg poet of the fourteenth century, a.d. 1373 — 1391.
" Sie bawten einen tempel gross darein
Zu eren Zise der abgbttin,
Die sie nach haidnischer sitten
Anbetten zu denselben zeiten.
52 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Die stat ward genennt auch Zisaris*
Nach der abgottin, das was der pris.
Der teinpel als lang stuond unversert
Bis im von alter was der val beschert.
Und da er von alter abgieng
Der berg namen von im empfieng ;
Daruf gestanden was das werck,
Und haist noch hiit der Zisenberck"
" They built a great temple therein,
To the honour of Zise the heathen goddess
Whom they after heathen customs
Worshipped at that time ;
The city was named eke Zisaris
After the heathen goddess, that was its glory.
The temple long stood entire
Until its fall was caused by age.
And when it from age went-off
The hill took the name from it ;
Whereon the work stood,
And still hight Zisenberg."
Confirmatory of this is an extract from the Augsburg Chronicle,
and, of equal value, is a fragment preserved in two MSS., one from
Munich, and one from the monastery of St. Emmeram, wherein we
find a passage, accompanied by marginal notes, headed " Excerpta
ex Gallica Historia."
These are too lengthy for quotation ; besides which, they are to
be found in full in the D. M. pp. 260—272.
They agree, however, in containing, amongst much inaccurate
and distorted history, the special statement that the parts in
question were the head-quarters of the cultus of the Dea Cisa,
" Quam religiosissime colebant, cujus templum quoque ex lignis
barbarico ritu constructum, postquam eo colonia Romana deducta
est, inviolatum permansit, ac vetustate collapsum nomen colli ser-
vavit. Quinquagesimo nono die, qua eo ventum est, cum is dies
DecB CizcB, apud barbaros celeberrimus, ludum ac lasciviam magis
quam formidinem ostentaret," &c.
* Qu. Ziza arcs — Grimm.
NOTES ON SECTION IX. 53
One of the marginal notes is the following couplet. —
" Quern modo polluerat cultura nefaria duduni
Gallus monticulum hunc tibi Ciza tulit,"
which, in the Augsburg Chronicle, appears in the body of the
extract.
It may, then, be safely said that, in the thirteenth century, the
memory of a local goddess, named Zisa, was preserved in the neigh-
bourhood of Augsburg ; and, although the parts about that city
were, strictly speaking, Vindelician rather than Suevic, it may fairly
be supposed that the cultus extended into the true Suevic area.
The following fact diminishes the difficulties involved in the
difference of form between Isis and Ziza.
a. Meisterlin, who wrote about a.d. 1456, has the form with
the final -s, " Cizais — der gottinn Cisa, die auch genent wird Cizais."
This accounts for the final -s.
b. The form Eysen occurs. Grimm quotes the expression, " der
amazonischen Augspurger japetisch fraw Eysen"
At the same time, it should be remembered that the writers who
speak of Erau Eysen, may have been disposed to the adoption
of that form from the name Isis in Tacitus. Hence the evidence
in favour of the omission of the initial C or Z, is not unexcep-
tionable.
That the present text influenced the views of the later writers
concerning the Augsburg goddess, is certain ; such a phenomenon
being by no means unusual ; since numerous instances could be
adduced to show that an inaccurate account of a superstition in an
influential writer, has acted upon the superstition itself — just as
certain prophecies fulfil their own accomplishment.
At any rate, in the sixteenth century, we find Erau Isis with
certain attributes, which may fairly be considered as foreign, and
superadded to those of Ciza. Some of these are deducible from the
notice of Tacitus ; others referable to other sources of confusion.
Thus, Jean le Maire, writing a.d. 1512, says, " Au temps duquel
la deesse Isis, royne d'iEgypte, vient en Allemaigne et montra au
rude peuple l'usaige de mouldre la farine et faire du pain."
Aventin (about a.d. 1522) says that it was from Fraw Eysen, that
iron (German eisen) took its name, adding an account of her cultus^
wherein mention is made of the ship, and Hercules is said to have
been her father.— See D. M. i. 244.
54 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
[nstead, then, of doubtfully suggesting the identity of Ciza and
Tsis, name for name, as is done by Grimm, I have no hesitation in
assenting to it.
"Whether traces of the characteristic navigium can be found
in an equally satisfactory form, is another question. A long
quotation from Rodolf's Chronicle of the Abbey of St. Trudo,
is to be found in D. M. i. pp. 237 — 241. It tells us that, a.d.
1133, the country-people of the neighbourhood made a ship, put it
on wheels, rolled it about from town to town, and attended it with
song and dance from Tongres to Louvain.
This was done to annoy the weavers. It also annoyed the
clergy. So much so, that such expressions as navim infausto omine
compactam — gentilitatis studium — pro/anas simulacri excubias — hor-
tabantur ut comburatur — maligni spiritus qui in ilia ferebantur —
in/ mdi ominis monstrum, &c, occur in the account.
I agree with Grimm in thinking this particular procession,
although mentioned as a single instance, to have been but the last
of many previous ones — in other words, a revival of an old custom.
I also believe its origin to have been pagan.
But I am not satisfied that it has anything to do with either
Isis or Ziza.
a. The locality of the procession was the parts about the Lower
Rhine and Moselle, that of Ziza, Bavaria, and that of even the Isis
of Tacitus the country of only pars Suevorum ; so that whilst the
deity is pre-eminently local, the custom is spread over a vast
area.
b. Processions of the kind in question are common, without being
connected with one another. The celebration of the breaking-up of
the ice, and the beginning of the season for navigation might easily
be celebrated on the Danube and on the Rhine with a similar cere-
monial, without the necessity of supposing the one to have borrowed
the custom from the other.
Something of this kind I imagine to have been the case with the
supposed analogue of the navigium Isidis in Germany, boats being
wheeled about at the beginning of the sailing season, just as on the
9 th of January, or Ploicgh-Monday, the labouring men of some parts
of England go about as Plough-hoys, or Plough-bullocks.
That either the Isis of Tacitus, or the Ziza * of the Augsburgers
* Supposing them (as I do not) to be different deities.
NOTES ON SECTION IX. 55
should be other than German, is considered utterly improbable by
the great writer from whom I have taken all the quotations and
references of the present note.
That she was Slavonic is the opinion of the present inquirer.
But the most important fact connected with her cultus, is that of its
being, at one and the same time —
a. Suevic, as we learn from the text of Tacitus ; and —
b. Vindilician, as we infer from her temple at Augsburg.
6 Cohibere parietibus deos.~\ — This absence of temples is partly
borne out by what we find in later writers, partly subjected to modi-
fication.
A. It is partly borne out by the fact of no German tongue contain-
ing a simple term equivalent to the Latin templum (delubrum, cedes),
of which both the signification and the native origin are beyond
doubt.
1. In Ulfilas, lepov (Joh. xviii. 20) is translated by Gud-hus=
God's house. This word, however, occurs but once, and is a com-
pound.
2. The usual word =va6g is alhs.
The reasons for believing this word to be native (the view sup-
ported by the authority of Grimm) are as follows : — •
a. The genitive case is alhs, and the dative alh, instead of alhais
and alhai ; irregularity (so-called) being prima facie evidence of the
word in which it occurs being native.
b. In Anglo-Saxon and Old Saxon, the word is of the masculine
gender.
c. It may be the word Alces of § 43.
d. It occurs as an element of several compound proper names,
both of men and places — Ala-hdlf, ^a-dorp, &c.
Against it lie
a. Its likeness to the Latin word aula.
b. Its being, in Mceso-Gothic, of the feminine gender.
c. Its absence in all the Norse languages.
d. Its power of palace or royal dwelling, a meaning quite as
usual as that of holy edifice.
It is safe then to say that the native origin of alh=templum is
not beyond doubt.
3. V-g is the third root with a meaning allied to that of i
enumerated in the chapter of the D. M. referred to.
56 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Its chief forms are wih, weoh, wig, and ve. It is truly Gothic in
origin, but, in meaning, fluctuates between grove, idol, and holy
building, the latter power being the most uncertain.
1. II-r-lc is in the same predicament. Its chief forms are haruc,
hara, hearg, horg, and, although it sometimes =templum, its primary
meaning is lucus, or rather (perhaps) the Greek te/uevoq.
B. The chief text which modifies the belief in the utter absence of
temples amongst the Germans is Adam of Bremen's notice of the
temple at Sigtuna — " Nobilissimum ilia gens templum habet, quod
Upsula vocatur, non longe positum a Sigtuna civitate vel Birka. In
hoc templo, quod totum ex auro paratum est, statuas trium deorum
veneratur populus, ita ut potentissimus eorum Thor in medio solium
habeat triclinio. Hinc et inde locum possident Wodan et Fricco."
-De Sit. Dan. c. 233.
On the other hand, the sacro-sanctitude of trees and groves is
beyond doubt. It was truly German. At the same time it must be
remembered that it was Slavonic as well.
X. Auspicia, sortesque, 1 ut qui maxime, observant.
Sortium consuetudo simplex : virgam, frugiferac arbori
decisam, in surculos amputant, eosque, notis quibusdam
discretos, super candidam vestem temere ac fortuito
spargunt : mox, si publice consuletur, sacerdos civitatis,
sin privatim, ipse paterfamilias, precatus deos, coelum-
que suspiciens, ter singulos tollit, sublatos, secundum
impressam ante notam, interpretatur. Si prohibue-
runt, nulla, de eadem re, in eumdem diem, consultatio :
sin permissum, auspiciorum adhuc fides exigitur. Et
illud quidem etiam hie notum, avium voces, volatusque
interrogare. Proprium gentis, equorum quoque prse-
sagia ac monitus experiri : publice aluntur iisdem
nemoribus ac lucis, candidi, et nullo mortali opere
contacti, quos pressos sacro curru sacerdos, ac rex, vel
princeps civitatis, comitantur, hinnitusque ac fremitus
observant. Nee ulli auspicio major fides, non solum
NOTE ON SECTION X. 57
apud plebem, seel apucl proceres, apud sacerdotes. Se
enim ministros deorum, illos conscios putant. Est et
alia observatio auspiciorum, qua gravium bellorum
eventus explorant. Ejus gentis, cum qua bellum est,
captivum quoquo modo interceptum, cum electo popu-
larium suorum, patriis quemque armis committunt :
victoria hujus, vel illius, pro prsejudicio accipitur.
NOTE ON SECTION X.
1 A uspicia sortesque, <&c] — The use " of lots as connected with
heathendom, that is, as a means of looking into futurity, continued
in vogue among the Saxons till a late period, in spite of the efforts
of the clergy. This is evident from the many allusions in the Pceni-
tentials, and the prohibitions of the secular law. The augury by
horses does not appear to have been used in England, from any
allusion at least which still survives ; but it was still current in
Germany in the seventh century, and with less change of adjuncts
than we usually find in the adoption of heathen forms by Christian
saints. It was left to the decision of horses to determine where the
mortal remains of St. Gall should rest. The saint would not move
till certain unbroken horses were brought and charged with his
coffin ; then, after prayers, we are told, ' Elevato igitur a pontifice
necnon a sacerdote feretro et equis superposito, ait episcopus.
" Tollite frena de capitibus eorum/et pergant ubi Dominus voluerit."
Vexillum ergo crucis cum luminaribus adsumebatur, et psallentes,
equis prsecedentibus, via incipiebatur.' " — Anon. Vita Sanct. Gall.,
Pertz Monum. ii. 17. — From The Saxons in England, vol. i. p. 429.
XL De minoribus rebus principes 1 consultant, de
majoribus omnes : ita tarn en, ut ea quoque, quorum
penes plebem 2 arbitrium est, apud principes pertra-
ctentur. Coeunt, nisi quid fortuitum et subitum inci-
dent, certis diebus, cum aut inchoatur luna, aut imple-
tur: nam agendis rebus hoc auspicatissimum initium
58 TI1E GERMANY OF TACITUS.
credunt. Nee dierum numerum, ut nos, sed noctium 3
compatant. Sic constituunt, sic condicunt : nox du-
cere diem videtur. Illud ex libertate vitium, quod
noil simul, nee ut jussi conveniunt, sed et alter, et
tertius dies cunctatione coeuntium absumitur. Ut
turbse placuit, considunt armati. Silentium per sacer-
dotes, quibus turn et coercendi jus est, imperatur.
Mox rex, vel princeps, prout a?tas cuique, prout nobi-
litas, prout decus bellorum, prout facundia est, audiun-
tur, auctoritate suadendi magis, quam jubendipotestate.
Si displicuit sententia, fremitu aspernantur: sin placuit,
frameas concutiunt. Honoratissimum assensus genus
est, armis laudare.
NOTES ON SECTION XI.
1 PrmcipesJ] — The office of the princeps was elective (the election
taking place at the folc-mot), and probably annual, or for a limited
period only. His duties were judicial, and the authority extended
over ten tithings—one hundred. This sufficiently distinguishes him
from the dux. The most probable German word thus rendered was
ealdor-man.
In the historical period the court of the ealdorman of the hun-
dred was held once a month. Arbitration, and the consideration of
the extent to which the peace had been kept or broken, was the
business here — i.e., the prevention rather than the punishment of
wrong.
The higher matters belonged to the concilium (folc-mot).
2 Plebem.] — This, a term far less definite than it was in the eyes
of a Roman, means all who were, at one and the same time, above
the rank of servus or liberties (ge-bur, Icet-a or ]>eov), below the rank
of ingenuus (cepele), and resident on the land.
Such are the probable limits ; because it is not likely that it ap-
plied to the ge-styas, or personal retainers of the chief, nor yet to the
duces, or the order (ce]>elas) out of which they were chosen.
3 Noctium.] — Of the length of the minor divisions of the month,
NOTES ON SECTION XI. 59
in the time of Tacitus, we know nothing : neither can we speculate
as to the nature of the events on which they were based.
That the periods, however, found in the text before us (like
the present word seven-night, se'n-night) which we suppose to have
been designated by some compound of the word -night, were shorter
than those of the months, is nearly certain.
Month is so truly a word of German origin, and so definitely
connected with moon, that we may safely believe that the natural
period of twenty-eight days was always recognised, and always called,
as at present. In other words, it is unlikely that the name for
month should have been the compound, or combination, of the root
n-gt in question.
Still less is it likely that the compound in question was applied
to a longer period than that of the month.
That the month then was divided into smaller periods is the fair
inference from the present passage, — and that the quarters of the
moon were the phenomena which determined their length, is also
likely.
Still the German equivalent to the Roman nundine, and the
Christian week, is a point which has still to be investigated.
That such prominence should be given to the reckoning by nights,
if it merely meant that where a Roman said so many days a German
said so many nights, is unlikely. There was, surely, some period of
time designated by the root night -j- either a numeral or some similar
compositional element.
XII. Licet apud concilium 1 accusare 2 quoque, et
discrimen capitis intendere. Distinctio poenarum 3 ex
delicto : proditores et transfugas arboribus suspendunt :
ignavos, et imbelles, et corpore infames, coeno ac
palude, injecta, insuper crate, mergunt. Diversitas
supplicii illuc respicit, tamquam scelera ostendi opor-
teat, dum puniuntur, flagitia abscondi. Sed et levi-
oribus delictis, pro modo, poena : equorum pecorumque
numero convicti multantur : pars multse 4 regi, vel ci vi-
tati, pars ipsi qui vindicatur, vel propinquis ejus exsol-
CO THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
vitur. Eliguntur in iisdem conciliis et principes, qui
jura per pagos vicosque reddunt. Centeni singulis ex
plebe co-mites, 5 consilium simul et auctoritas, adsunt.
NOTES ON SECTION XII.
1 Concilium.} — The probable name of this was in the Saxon dis-
tricts, at least some compound of mot =meeting, e.g., ge-mot, or folc-mot.
Further north it may have been -Ding= concilium. In Scandi-
navia the word is existing at the present moment in the name of
the Norwegian parliament, or Stor-ting= great council.
' Licet apud concilium accusare.] — The concilium here is the
folcnwt, the question being one not of prevention, or arbitration, but
of punishment. As such it lay beyond the jurisdiction of the smaller
court of the hundred.
In many cases this accusatio was likely to have been made by
the princeps and his comites, in their capacity of representatives of
the hundred : indeed, unless we suppose this to have been the case,
the/oe/i'3e, or right of private revenge, would leave but little in the
way of criminal jurisdiction to the concilium (folcmote).
3 Pamarum.~] — The absence of any punishments severer tha,n fines
for even homicide in the Anglo-Saxon laws has engendered the
belief that the German laws were mild.
The horrible cruelty of many of their punishments may be seen
in Grimm's Deutsche Rechts Alterthiimer.
4 Pars multce.~\ — Of the two parts into which the penalty fell, that
which accrued to the state was the wite, that which accrued to the
individual the wehre. When, over and above the private feud, the
state interfered, it is likely that the wite became increased. In this
case the term frio'=peace and ban=ban, or proclamation, came
into use.
5 Centeni — comites.'] — The organization here is exactly the opposite
of that which gives us the mceg-burh {families et propinquitates).
Instead of the indefinitude involved in the word kin, the number
here is fixed=100.
Neighbourhood, too, and locality stand in place of blood and
descent as the bond.
NOTES ON SECTION XII. 61
Of these two elements that of number was the first to become
obsolete, so that tithings came to contain more or less than 100, as
the case might be. The second, that of neighbourhood and locality,
exists at the present time.
In the country, it would be the area which would have the
greater tendency to remain fixed and permanent as the character-
istic element of the tithing and hundred ; in towns it would be the
number of individuals.
Hence, in the tenth century we find the following account of the
municipal equivalent to the hundred : — " This is the ordinance which
the bishops and the reeves belonging to London have obtained, and
confirmed with pledges, among our friftgylds, as well eorlish as
ceorlish, in addition to the doomes which were fixed at Greatley, at
Exeter, and at Thundersfield.
" Resolved : that we count every ten men together, and the chief one
to direct the nine in each of those duties which we have all ordained,
and afterwards the hyndens of them together, and one hynden man
who shall admonish the ten for our common benefit ; and let these
eleven hold the money of the hynden, and decide that they shall
disburse, when aught is to pay, and what they shall receive, should
money accrue to us at our common suit. . . .
" That we gather to us once in every month, if we can, and have
leisure, the hynden-men, and those who direct the tithings, as well
with butt-filling, or as else may please us, and know what of our
agreement has been executed. And let these twelve men have their
refection together, and feed themselves as they themselves think
right, and deal the remains of the meal for love of God."
Upon this, the writer from whom the notice is taken, con-
tinues : " As this valuable record mentions also territorial tithings,
containing different amounts of population, it seems to me to furnish
important confirmation of the conclusion that the gegyldan of Ini
and iElfred, the members of the London tithings or friogylds of ten,
and the York tenmantale, are in truth identical. And it is further
in favour of this view that the citizens called the members of such
gildships, gegyldan : —
" And we have also ordained, respecting every man who has given
his pledge in our gyldships, that should he die, each gyld-brother
(gegylda) shall give a gesufel-loaf for his soul, and sing a fifty
(psalms), or cause the same to be sung within xxx days." — Ju-
dicia Givitatis Londinensis, from Kemble's Saxons in England, vol. i.
62 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
The following extract illustrates this still further : — " And
another peace, the greatest of all, there is, whereby all are main-
tained in firmer state, to wit, in the establishment of a guarantee,
which the English call a Frv&borgas, with the exception of the men
of York, who call it Tenmannetale, that is, the number of ten men.
And it consists in this, that in all the vills throughout the kingdom,
all men are bound to be in a guarantee by tens, so that if one of the
ten men offend, the other nine may hold him to right. But if he
should flee, and they allege that they could not have him to right,
then should be given them, by the king's justice, a space of at least
thirty days and one ; and if they could find him they might bring
him to justice. But for himself, let him out of his own restore the
damage he has done, or, if the offence be so grave, let justice be done
upon his body. But if within the aforesaid term he could not be
found, since in every fribborh there was one headman should take
two of the best men of his fribborh, and the headman of each of the
three fribborgs most nearly neighbouring to his own, and likewise
two of the best in each, if he can have them ; and so with the eleven
others he shall, if he can, clear both himself and his fribborh, both
of the offence and flight of the aforesaid malefactor. Which, if he
cannot do, he shall restore the damage done out of the property of
the doer, so long as this shall last, and out of his own, and that of
his friftborh; and they shall make amends to the justice according
as it shall be by law adjudged them. And, moreover, the oath
which they could not complete with the venue, the nine themselves
shall make, viz., they that had no part in the offence. And if at
any time they can recover him, they shall bring him to the justice,
if they can, or tell the justice where he is." — Ibid.
XIII. Nihil autem neque publicse neque privatse
rei, nisi armati agunt. Sed arma sumere non ante
cuiquam moris, quam civitas suffecturum probaverit.
Turn in ipso concilio, vel principum aliquis, vel pater,
vel propinquus scuto frameaque juvenem ornant : hsec
apud illos toga, hie primus juventse honos : ante hoc
NOTE ON SECTION XIII. 63
domus pars videntur, mox reipublicse. Insignis no-
bilitas, aut magna patrum merita, principis dignati-
onem etiain adolescentulis adsignant. Ceteri robusti-
oribus ac jampridem probatis aggregantur : nee rubor
inter comites aspici. Gradus quinetiam et ipse comi-
tates habet, judicio ejus, quern seetantur : magnaque
et comitum semulatio, quibus primus apud principem
suum locus; et principum, cui plurimi et acerrimi
comites. 1 Hsec dignitas, hse vires, magno semper
electorum juvenum globo circumdari, in pace decus,
in bello presidium. Nee solum in sua gente cuique,
sed apud finitimas quoque civitates id nomen, ea gloria
est, si numero ac virtute comitatus emineat : expe-
tuntur enim legationibus, et muneribus ornantur, et
ipsa plerumque fama bella profligant.
NOTE ON SECTION XIII.
1 Comitatus — Comites.~\ — The German of this translation was pro-
bably some older form of the Anglo-Saxon gesift, plural, ge-si- ; 6as=
retainers.
XIV. Cum ventum in aciem, turpe principi virtute
vinci ; turpe comitatui, virtutem principis non ada?-
quare. Jam vero infame in omnem vitam ac probro-
sum, superstitem principi suo ex acie recessisse. Ilium
defendere, tueri, sua quoque fortia facta glorise ejus
adsignare, prsecipuum sacramentum est. Principes
pro victoria pugnant : comites pro principe. Si civitas 1
in qua orti sunt, longa pace et otio torpeat : plerique
nobilium adolescentium petunt ultro eas nationes, quae
turn bellum aliquod gerunt; quia et ingrata genti
G4 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
quies, et facilius inter ancipitia clarescunt, magnumque
comitatum non nisi vi belloque tueare : exigunt enim
principis sui liberalitate ilium bellatorera equum, illam
cruentam victricemque fraraeam. Nam epula?, et
quamquam incompti, largi tamen apparatus pro sti-
pendio cedunt. Materia munificentise per bella et
raptus. Nee arare terram, aut exspectare annum, tam
facile persuaseris, quam vocare hostes et vulnera me-
reri : pignim quinimmo et iners videtur sudore adqui-
rere, quod possis sanguine parare.
NOTE ON SECTION XIV.
1 Civitas.] — The likeliest name for the community thus designated,
is ge-land, the occupants of the same ge-land being ge-landan.
Many ge-lande might make a ric=kingdom.
The most probable name for the smaller districts, such as Fosi,
Chas-uarii, &c, was ge-land : the larger ones, like that of the
Cherusci, being a ric.
There is no reason to believe that these free companies (for such
they really were) limited their offers of service to members of the
Germanic family only. The utmost in the way of restrictions in
this respect, which we can suppose them to have laid upon them-
selves is, that they should not fight against members of the alliance
to which they belonged, whilst on their own soil.
The bearing of this upon many questions is important, since it
invalidates the notion that a German name for a chief is a sufficient
reason for believing his followers to be Germans.
XV. Quotiens bella non ineunt, non multum vena-
tibus ; l plus per otium transigunt, dediti somno, cibo-
que. Fortissimus quisque ac bellicosissimus nihil
agens, delegata domus et penatium et agrorum cura
feminis senibusque, et infirmissimo cuique ex familia,
NOTE ON SECTION XV. 65
ipsi hebent : mira diversitate naturae, cum iidem ho-
mines sic ament inertiam, et oderint quietem. Mos
est civitatibus ultro ac viritim conferre principibus vel
armentorum vel frugum, quod pro honore acceptum,
etiam necessitatibus subvenit. Gaudent prsecipue fini-
timarum gentium donis, quae non modo a singulis, sed
publico mittuntur : electi equi, magna arma, phalerse,
torquesque. Jam et pecuniam accipere docuimus.
NOTE ON SECTION XV.
1 Venatibus.~\ — This is a measure of the extent to which the Ger-
mans were exclusively agricultural — at least agricultural as opposed
to populations in the hunter-state.
Probably, except in the Marks, there was less game in Germany
in the time of Tacitus than there is now.
XVI. Nullas Germanorum populis urbes 1 babitari,
satis notum est, ne pati quidem inter se junctas sedes.
Colunt discreti ac diversi, ut fons, ut campus, ut nemus
placuit. Vicos locant, non in nostrum morem, con-
nexis et cohserentibus aedificiis : suam quisque domum
spatio circumdat, sive adversus casus ignis remedium,
sive inscitia sedificandi. Ne csementorum quidem
apud illos aut tegularum usus ; materia ad omnia
utuntur informi, et citra speciem aut delectationem.
Qusedam loca diligentiiis illinunt terra ita pura ac
splendente, ut picturam ac lineamenta colorum imi-
tetur. Solent et subterraneos specus aperire, eosque
multo insuper fimo onerant, suffugium hiemi et re-
ceptaculum frugibus : quia rigorem frigorum ejusmodi
locis molliunt: et si quando hostis advenit, aperta
populatur : abdita autem et defossa, aut ignorantur,
aut eo ipso fallunt, quod quserenda sunt.
F
THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
NOTE ON SECTION XVI.
1 Nullas — urbes^\ — Exceptions must be made to this statement, if
we give much importance to the assertion that numerous nations on
the Gallic side of the Rhine were Germans — e.g., the Nemeles, Van-
giones, Triboci, Treviri, &c. In all the districts belonging to these
so-called Germans, there were considerable towns. Of course, these
may have been Gallic, whilst the country was German.
As for the text itself, it must be looked upon as having reference
to the well-known passage in Coasar, rather than as a piece of separate
and independent evidence.
The intercourse with the Hermundorum civitas (§41) by no
means implies the existence of a town or city. A periodical fair on
the Danube will give us all the phenomena implied by the passage
in question.
XVII. Tegumen omnibus sagum, fibula, aut, si desit,
spina, consertum: cetera intecti, totos dies juxta focum
atque ignem agunt. Locupletissimi veste distinguuntur,
non fluitante, sicut Sarmatse ac Parthi, sed stricta et
singulos artus exprimente. Gerunt et ferarum pelles, 1
proximi ripse negligenter, ulteriores exquisitius, ut
quibus nullus per commercia cultus. Eligunt feras,
et detracta velamina spargunt maculis pellibusque
belluarum, quas exterior Oceanus, atque ignotum mare
gignit. Nee alius feminis quam viris habitus, nisi
quod feminse ssepius lineis amictibus velantur, eosque
purpura variant, partemque vestitus superioris in ma-
nicas non extendunt, nudse brachia ac lacertos : sed et
proxima pars pectoris patet.
NOTE ON SECTION XVII."
1 Ferarum pelles.] — Whether the word leather be of Germanic
or Keltic origin is uncertain.
NOTE ON SECTION XVII. 67
The oldest exhumations have presented a body wrapped in skin,
in a rude, coffin-shaped, rough-hewed tree. The dress, as described
in the present passage, consists of hides ; both as leather and furs.
For the latter, Scandinavia was famous in the seventh century.
" Alia vero gens ibi moratur Suethans, quae velut Thuringi, equis
utuntur eximiis. Hi quoque sunt, qui in usus Romanorum Saphi-
rinas pelles commercio interveniente per alias innumeras gentes
transmittunt, famosi pellium decora nigredine. Hi quum inopes
vivunt, ditissime vestiuntur." — Jornand. De Reb. Get. c. 3.
The long flowing dresses of the Sarmatians were chiefly made by
the process of felting, those of the Parthian s, by that of weaving ;
ivool being the chief material of the former, wool, cotton, and even silk
of the latter.
XVIII. Quamquam severa illic matrimonia : 1 nee
ullam morum partem niagis lauclaveris: nam prope
soli barbarorum singulis uxoribus contenti sunt : ex-
ceptis admodum paucis, qui non libidine, sed ob nobi-
litatem plurimis nuptiis ambiuntur. Dotem non uxor
marito, sed uxori maritus ofFert. Intersunt parentes.
et propinqui, ac munera probant : munera non ad deli-
cias muliebres qusesita, nee quibus nova nupta comatur;
sed boves et frenatum equum, et scutum cum framea
gladioque. In hsec munera uxor accipitur : atque
invicem ipsa armorum aliquid viro affert : hoc maxi-
mum vinculum, hsec arcana sacra, hos conjugates deos
arbitrantur. Ne se mulier extra virtutum cogitati-
ones, extraque bellorum casus putet, ipsis incipientis
matrimonii auspiciis admonetur, venire se laborum
periculorumque sociam, idem in pace, idem in proelio
passuram ausuramque; hoc juncti boves, hoc paratus
equus, hoc data anna denuntiant. Sic vivendum, sic
pereundum : accipere se quse liberis inviolata ac
F 2
G8 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
digna reddat, qua? nurus accipiant, rursusque ad nepotes
referant.
NOTE ON SECTION XVIII.
1 Severa — matrimonial] — A measure of the consideration in which
females were held, may be found in the Codex Diplomaticus.
A widow had the power of devising her land. A son having
brought an action against his mother in the Anglo-Saxon County
Court, was, upon the latter receiving notification thereof, disinherited
by her on the spot, and that in the following words : — " Here sitteth
Leoflsed my kinswoman, unto whom I grant both my land and my
gold, and gown, and dress, and all that I own, after my day
(death)." " Her sit LeofUed min maege, (5e ic ge-ann aeg<5er ge mines
landes, ge mines goldes, ge hroagles, ge reafes, ge ealles fte ic ah,
aefter minon dajge."
Nay more, there was one sort of property, at least, which a mar-
ried woman might bequeath even during the life-time of her husband.
This was the morning-gift (morgengifu), presented to her by her
husband, the morning after the consummation of her marriage. " In
several wills, the husband carefully points out the lands to which
his wife has this claim ; and, in several cases, women appeal to it as
their title to lands which they are desirous of alienating." — Kemble,
Codex Diplomaticus, vol. 1, cix., ex.
XIX. Ergo septa pudicitia agunt, nullis spectacu-
lorum inlecebris, nullis conviviorura inritationibus
corrupts. Literamm secreta viri pariter ac feminse
ignorant, 1 Paucissima in tam numerosa gente adul-
teria, quorum poena prsesens, et maritis permissa.
Accisis crinibus, nudatam, coram propinquis, expellit
domo maritus, ac per omnem vicum verbere agit :
publicatae enim pudicitise nulla venia : non forma,
non setate, non opibus maritum invenerit. Nemo
enim illic vitia ridet : nee corrumpere et corrumpi,
sasculum vocatur. Melius quidem aclhuc ea3 civi-
NOTE ON SECTION XIX. 69
tates, in quibus tantum virgines nubunt, et cum spe
votoque uxoris semel transigitur. Sic uuura acci-
piunt maritum, quo modo unum corpus, unamque
vitam, ne ulla cogitatio ultra, ne longior cupiditas,
ne tamquam maritum, sed tamquam matrimonium
anient. Numerum liberorum finire, aut quemquam
ex agnatis necare, flagitium habetur: plusque ibi boni
mores valent, quam alibi bonse leges.
NOTE ON SECTION XIX.
1 Literarum secreta — ignorant.'] — The Moeso-Gothic alphabet of
the Goths of the third century was formed upon the Greek.
The Anglo-Saxon alphabet, the next in point of antiquity, was
Roman in origin.
It is only by exaggerating the antiquity of the inscriptions called
Runic, that any exception can be taken to the literal interpretation
of the passage. Yet the oldest Runic inscription is subsequent to
the year a.d. 800.
Run=sulcus=furrow ; and this interpretation well explains their
nature. The Runic letters were fitted for being cut on wood or stone
— not written. Consequently, they were available only for com-
paratively short inscriptions.
But run=mysterium=secret as well. I imagine this to be a
power deduced from the earlier signification —letter, the earliest
being furrow.
XX. In omni domo nudi ac sordidi, in hos artus, in
hsec corpora, quae miramur, excrescunt. Sua quemque
mater uberibus alit, nee ancillis ac nutricibus delegan-
tur. Dominum ac servum nullis educationis deliciis
dignoscas. Inter eadem pecora, in eadem humo
degunt, donee Eetas separet ingenuos, virtus agnoscat.
Sera juvenum Venus ; 1 eoque inexhausta pubertas :
70 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
nec virgines festinantur; eadem juventa, similis pro-
ceritas : pares validseque miscentur : ac robora paren-
tum liberi referunt. Sororum filiis idem apud avun-
culum, qui apud patrem honor. Quidam sanctiorem
arctioremque hunc nexum sanguinis arbitrantur, et in
accipiendis obsidibus magis exigunt ; tamquam ii, et
animum firmius, et donium latiiis teneant. Heredes
tamen successoresque sui cuique liberi : et nullum
testamentum. Si liberi non sunt, proximus gradus in
possessione fratres, patrui, avunculi. Quanto plus
propinquorum, quo major adfinium numerus, tanto
gratiosior senectus : nec ulla orbitatis pretia.
NOTE ON SECTION XX.
1 St ra juvenum Ve?ius.~\ — Whatever may have been the age of
puberty, that of infancy (in the legal sense of the term) ended with
the Anglo-Saxon at 12.
At that time the youth was mxmdig, i.e., his own master, or at
least responsible.
XXI. Suscipere tam inimicitias, 1 seu patris, seu pro-
pinqui, quam amicitias necesse est : nec implacabiles
durant. Luitur enim etiam homicidium certo armen-
torum ac pecorum numero, recipitque satisfactionem
uni versa domus : uti liter in publicum ; quia periculo-
siores sunt inimicitise juxta libertatem. Convictibus
et hospitiis non alia gens effusius indulget. Quem-
cumque mortalium arcere tecto, nefas habetur : pro
fortuna quisque apparatis epulis excipit. Cum defe-
cere, qui modo liospes fuerat, monstrator hospitii et
comes, proximam domum non invitati adeunt: nec
interest: pari humanitate accipiuntur. Notumjgno-
NOTE ON SECTION XXL 71
tumque, quantum ad jus hospitii, nemo discernit.
Abeunti, si quid poposcerit, concedere moris: et
poscendi invicem eadem facilitas. Gaudent muneri-
bus : sed nee data imputant, nee acceptis obligantur.
NOTE ON SECTION XXI.
1 Suscipere — inimicitias.~\ — The liability of private quarrels, and,
perhaps, even the recognition of the right of private warfare in-
volved in this custom, appears at the beginning of the legal period
under some form of the root /-ft.
In the Frisian Laws (xi. 2), the form is fceh$e=feud.
FaebSe itself is a derivation of fd=foe. — Saxons in England
chap. x.
XXII. Victus inter hospites comis. ' Statim e so-
mno, quern plerumque in diem extrahunt, lavantur, 1
ssepius calida, ut apud quos plurimum hiems occupat.
Lauti, cibum capiunt : separatee singulis sedes, et sua
cuique mensa. Turn ad negotia, nee minus ssepe ad
convivia procedunt armati. Diem noctemque con-
tinuare potando, nulli probrum. Crebrse, ut inter
vinolentos rixee, raro conviciis, ssepius csede et vulne-
ribus transiguntur. Sed et de reconciliandis invicem
inimicis, et jungendis adfinitatibus, et adsciscendis
principibus, de pace denique ac bello plerumque in
conviviis consultant: tamquam nullo magis tempore
aut ad simplices cogitationes pateat animus, aut ad
magnas incalescat. Gens non astuta, nee callida,
aperit adhuc secreta pectoris, licentia, joci. Ergo de-
tecta et nuda omnium mens, postera, die retractatur ;
et salva utriusque temporis ratio est. Deliberant,
dum fingere nesciunt : constituunt, dum errare non
possunt.
72 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
NOTE ON SECTION XXII.
1 Lavantur.] — The use of the bath is recognised throughout the
Old Norse Saeras.
XXIII. Potui humor ex hordeo aut frumento, in
quamdam similitudinem vini corruptus. 1 Proximi ripec
et vinum mercantur. Cibi simplices : agrestia poma,
recens fera, aut lac coucretum. Sine apparatu, sine
blandimentis expellunt famem. Adversus sitim, non
eadem temperantia. Si indulseris ebrietati, sugge-
rendo quantum concupiscunt, baud minus facile vitiis,
quam armis vincentur.
NOTE ON SECTION XXIII.
1 Humor ex hordeo aut frumento — corruptusl\ — Both the words
ale and beer are of Germanic origin. The Keltic term, on the other
hand, is cwmv=ccrevisia, from the Latin.
XXIV. Genus spectaculorum unum, atque in omni
coetu idem. Nudi juvenes, quibus id ludicrum est,
inter gladios se, atque infestas frameas, saltu jaciunt.
Exercitatio artem paravit, ars decorem : non in quas-
stum tamen, aut mercedem : quamvis audacis lascivise
pretium est, voluptas spectantium. Aleam (quod mi-
rere) sobrii inter seria exercent, tanta lucrandi per-
dendive temeritate, ut, cum omnia defecerunt, ex-
tremo ac novissimo jactu de libertate et de corpore
contendant. Victus voluntariam servitutem 1 adit:
quamvis junior, quamvis robustior, alligari se ac venire
NOTES ON SECTIONS XXIV. AND XXV. 73
patitur. Ea est in re prava pervicacia : ipsi ficlem
vocant. Servos conclitionis hujus per commercia tra-
dunt, ut se quoque pudore victorise exsolvant.
NOTE ON SECTION XXIV.
1 Voluntariam servitutem.~\ — This must have been servitude applied
to offices attached to the, person not to the land — at least if the sug-
gestion of the next note be correct.
XXV. Ceteris servis, non, in nostrum morera, de-
scriptis per familiam ministeriis, utuntur. Suam quis-
que sedem, 1 suos penates regit. Frumenti modum
dominus, aut pecoris, aut vestis, ut colono, injungit:
et servus hactenus paret. Cetera domiis officia uxor
ac liberi exsequuntur. Verberare servum ac vinculis
et opere coercere, rarum. Occidere solent, non disci-
plina, et severitate, sed impetu et ira, ut inimicum,
nisi quod impune. Libertini 2 non multum supra ser-
vos sunt, raro aliquod momentum in domo, numquam
in civitate, exceptis dumtaxat iis gentibus, quae re-
gnantur. Ibi enim et super ingenuos et super nobiles
ascendunt : apud ceteros, impares libertini libertatis'
NOTES ON SECTION XXV.
1 Suam quisque sedem.'] — Quisque, i.e., servus. — This was, in
reality, an adscriptio glebw ; the slave belonging to the land, and,
by a parity of reasoning, not sufficiently recognized by the generality
of writers on the subject, the land (to a certain degree) belonged to
the slave.
Unless we suppose the smallest free cultivator to have had slaves
under him (as unlikely a doctrine as that the smallest freehold
farmer in England has a regular set of labourers attached to his
74 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
land), the system of land cultivated for a landlord who took no
part in the work, and the system of land cultivated by the holders
themselves must have been in the inverse ratio to each other.
Probably, the land of the latter sort was commonest in the coun-
tries which had been independent from the first ; the latter in those
wherein conquests had occurred — the servl, in the sense of the pre-
sent section, being the original owners.
At any rate, an inordinate proportion of land thus cultivated by
servl for an idle, and probably non-resident class (of, perhaps, fight-
ing men), is incompatible with the evolution of free institutions.
Slavery then, I think, was an exceptionable case in Germany.
The probable name for the servus of the section was ge-bur=bauer
=peasant.
2 Libertini.~\ — It is true that manumission occurs in the earliest
Anglo-Saxon charters.
But it is also true that the earliest of these are later than the
introduction of Christianity.
I cannot, then, think that UbeHus=.manumitted slave.
More probably, the servus of Tacitus, was a dependent attached
to the land (prcedial); the libertus one attached to the person
[personal).
The name may have been lest, PI. Icet-as = leute in Modern
German.
Of these — the younger individuals may have been knav-as,
knap-as, knecht-s = knaves = knights ; the humbler in point of
occupation, ]>eav-as=thieves.
XXVI. Ferms agitare, 1 et in usuras extenclere,
ignotum : ideoque magis servatur quam si vetitum es-
set. Agri, pro numero cultorum, ab universis per vices 2
occupantur, quos mox inter se secundum dignationem
partiuntur : facilitatem partiendi camporum spatia
prsestant. Arva per annos mutant ; et superest ager :
nee enim cum ubertate et amplitudine soli labore
NOTES ON SECTION XXVI. 75
contendunt, ut pomaria conserant, et prata separent,
et hortos rigent : sola terra? seges imperatur. Uncle
annum quoque ipsum non in totidem digerunt spe-
cies : hiems, et ver, et sestas intellectum ac vocabula
habent : autumni perinde nomen ac bona ignorantur.
NOTES ON SECTION XXVI.
1 Fenus agitare.] — The extent to which the author of Germania
made its ethnology secondary to the moral effect of contrasting
simple and hardy Germany with artificial and luxurious Rome may
be measured by the passage. No mere geographer, or ethnologist,
would devote a chapter to saying there was no usury, when he had
previously said there was no money.
The last sentence of § 19, comes under the remark.
Each is a negative statement, which would not be made except a
contrast were intended with some country where the customs were
but too common.
2 Pro numero cultorum — per vices.] — It is only by fresh divisions
that land, once apportioned amongst a certain number of cultivators,
can remain in any permanent relation to the number of those cul-
tivators.
Again : it is only by an increase of either land, or the product of
land, proportionate to the increase of population, that the respective
competences of the cultivators can remain the same.
Hence the words pro numero cultorum create a difficulty, which is
enhanced by the words per vices.
Mox. — This is the most difficult word of the section. Per vices
implies change from one set of holders to another ; and mox — par-
tiuntur does more. It denotes a change from a system of periodical
transfers to one of permanent appropriation.
First comes a season when land shifts from owner to owner ; next
one wherein it passes to a permanent state of individual or joint
property.
Agri. — This, I think, has a double import, according to its relation.
a. As opposed to arva it means land in grass, wood, or fen, in
contradistinction to land under the plough.
6. As opposed to land which has been divided and apportioned, it
means land ziwapportioned or undivided.
70 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Agri p7-o numero, &c. — The proper commentator upon this diffi-
cult section is some conveyancer learned in ethnology, rather than a
simple ethnologist.
The separate words, however, must first be considered.
Arva. — Arable land.
Per annos. — Annually ; every year.
Mutant. — From a crop to a fallow; not from one holder to
another.
Superest. — Stands over to spare; is abundant — as neferrumqui-
dem superest (§ 6) = There is no excess even of iron.
Sola — seges. — Corn (wheat and barley, § 23), to the exclusion of
green crops, pulse, and vegetables.
Iliems, et ver, et cestas. — Winter, spring (for-aar Danish, fruh-
jahr German =■ for-year), and summer. Such are the only Germanic
names of the seasons, even in the present English ; autumn being of
Latin origin. Fall (in America), back-end (in more than one pro-
vincial dialect), and harvest are all — though of native origin — recent
terms.
I cannot realize the nature of the tenure here noticed. The
limited tenure expressed by per vices cannot well have consisted in a
certain allotment as private property, accompanied by a certain
share in an undivided common ; though such has been the view of
careful writers.
The word mox complicates this view. For the occupation in the
first instance (pro numero cultorum, ab universis per vices) we find
no trace of individual possession ; for that in the second (partitio
secundum dignitatem) none of joint ownership. Yet mox implies
that the two forms were successive rather than simultaneous.
That there was much joint occupancy, except on the Marches, I
am slow to believe. The house, at least, was permanent. So must
the farms occupied by the servi of § 25 have been. The whole
tenor of German history goes the same way.
It is safe, then, to hold with Mr. Kemble, that when the Germans
"changed the arable year to year, there was land to spare," that is,
for commons, " and pasture ; but it does not amount to a proof that
settled property in land was not part of the Teutonic scheme ; it
implies no more than this, that within the Mark, which was the
property of all, what was this year one man's cornland might the
next be another man's fallow ; a process very intelligible to those
who know anything of the system of cultivation, yet prevalent in
NOTES ON SECTION XXVL 77
parts of Germany, or have ever had interest in what we call Lammas
Meadows."
This even seems too much — to say nothing about the difficulty
attached to the words another man's fallow. "What could such a
fallow be? Not for corn; since the land had been cropped by the
previous owner. Not for a green crop ; since there were none such
known. Not for the herbage, i.e., the weeds and after-growth of the
harvest, which, in some parts, of England, is worth from two to
three shillings per acre. The harvests of Germany are too late for
this.
I think that the sentence of Tacitus has so little to do with the
tenure of land at all, that it must be taken with what follows rather
than with what precedes; in which case it applies to the husbandry
only — not to the laws of landed property.
Nothing but corn was grown. This was new to an Italian : who
had seen vetches, flax, and so many other products taken off the
same land in either succession or rotation. As a consequence of
this —
There was no such thing as a second crop on the same land with-
out an interval.
This was also new to an Italian. The abundance of land, how-
ever, allows it.
As far, then, as the present passage goes, the arvum, which has
just borne a crop, although left to nature, is as much the property
of the original owner, in the intervals between two tilths, as it was
during the seed-time and harvest.
The difficulties connected with the tenure of the land it neither
removes nor increases.
By considering the statement as one for which C'cesar rather
than Tacitus is responsible, and by limiting the account in Csesar to
the occupancy of the lands of the Sequani, dispossessed by Ariovistus,
we approach a solution.
We are, then, at liberty to consider an occupation which is at one
and the same time imperfect, and temporary, in the light of abnor-
mal tenure, adapted to the country of a conquered enemy only. Yet,
even then, the details are remarkable. Was the occupatio per vices,
a mere quartering of successive bodies of warriors (warriors only)
upon recently invaded, and imperfectly subdued districts, and the
subsequent partitio, the distribution of the land of such districts
after the conquest had become complete, the possession assured, and
78 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
the conversion of chieftains and captains into comparatively peace-
able settlers had become practicable? Such a view would best
reconcile Caesar's statement with probability.
XXVII. Funerura nulla ambitio : id solum ob-
servatur, ut corpora clarorum virorum certis lignis
crementur. 1 Struem rogi nee vestibus, nee odoribus
cumulant : sua cuique arma, quorumdam igni et equus
adjicitur. Sepulcrum cespes erigit. Monumentorum
arduum et operosum honorem, ut gravem defunctis,
aspernantur. Lamenta ac lacrimas cito, dolorem et
tristitiam tarde ponunt. Feminis lugere honestum
est : viris meminisse.
NOTE ON SECTION XXVII.
1 Crementur.] — The classification of the modern archaeologists,
founded upon that of the early Icelandic historians, divides by a
pretty broad line of demarcation two periods.
a. In one the dead were burned.
b. In the other the dead were buried.
That the burning-time came down as late as the time of Tacitus
is shown by the present passage.
XXVIII. Hsec in commune de omnium Germano-
rum origine ac moribus accepimus. Nunc singularum
gentium instituta, ritusque, quatenus differant, quae
nationes e Germania in Gallias commigraverint, expe-
diam. Validiores olim 1 Gallorum res fuisse summus
auctorum divus Julius tradit : eoque credibile est,
etiam Gallos in Germaniam transgressos. Quantulum
enim amnis obstabat, quominus, ut quseque gens eva-
NOTES ON SECTION XXVIIL 79
luerat, occuparet permutaretque secies promiscuas ad-
huc, et nulla regnorum potentia divisas ? Igitur inter
Hercyniam silvam, Rhenumque et Moenum amnes,
Helvetii, 2 ulteriora Boii, Gallica utraque gens, tenuere.
Manet adhuc Boiemi nomen, 3 significatque loci ve-
terem memoriam, quamvis mutatis cultoribus. Sed
utrum Aravisci 4 in Pannoniam ab Osis, Germanorum
natione, 5 an Osi ab Araviscis 6 in Germaniam commi-
graverint, cum eodem adhuc sermone, institutis, mo-
ribus utantur, incertum est: quia pari olim inopia
ac libertate, eadem utriusque ripse bona malaque
erant. Treviri 7 et Nervii 8 circa affectationem Germa-
nicse originis ultro ambitiosi sunt, tamquam per hanc
gloriam sanguinis, a similitudine et inertia Gallorum
separentur. Ipsam Rheni ripam haud dubie Germa-
norum populi colunt, Vangiones, 9 Triboci, 10 Nemetes. 11
Ne Ubii 12 quidem, quamquam Romana colonia esse
meruerint, ac libentius Agrippinenses conditoris sui
nomine vocentur, origine erubescunt, trangressi olim,
et experimento fidei super ipsam Rheni ripam col-
locati, ut arcerent, non ut custodirentur.
NOTES ON SECTION XXVIII.
1 Validiores olim, &c] — The chief passage in Csesar is to be
found in p. lxxxvii {Prolegomena) — acfuit antea tempus, &c.
Criticism of the passage will separate the statement for which
Csesar, speaking upon his own knowledge, is responsible, from
those which must be referred to his Gallic informants — these last
speaking perhaps from history, perhaps from tradition, perhaps from
inference, perhaps on no grounds at all beyond the wish to contrast
their present inferiority to the Germans, with some more glorious
epoch, when Gaul was the powerful, and Germany the weak coun-
try, when the Gauls encroached, and the Germans retreated.
Such a time may have been a reality. It may also have been a
dream.
80 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
That there was, at least, one body of Gauls on the German side
of the Rhine, is a fact to which we have Caesar as a witness. His
language respecting the Volcae Tectosages, is that of a man speaking
to what he knows at first-hand.
For the locality of such Trans-Rkenane Gauls, in the time of
Caesar, no district has a better claim than Baden and Wurtem-
burg — the agri Decimates of Tacitus. We come to this con-
clusion by the exclusive method. It was not Switzerland, for
that was Helvetian ; nor yet the Middle Rhine, since, in those
parts, there seems to have been Germans of the Alemannic
division.
The import of the name Volcce Tectosages is by no means clear.
Of the two words composing it, the former ( Volcce) was generic, the
latter (Tectosages) specific ; since, besides the division in question,
there was a second — the Voices Arecomici.
The area of the Volcee of Gaul in general seems to have been the
parts between the Rhone and the Pyrenees ; but as the name was
probably collective rather than special, the history of the Volcce of
Gaul is obscure. Caesar mentions them only incidentally.
How the Gauls beyond the Rhine came thither is another ques-
tion. They may have done so by simple intrusion, i.e., just as
Ctesar was told they did. This intrusion may have been either
early or late — as late as the times approaching those of Caesar
himself, or earlier than the well-known migration — real or sup-
posed — described by Livy, and referred to the reign of Tarquinius
Priscus. — Lib. v. 34, 35.
" De transitu in Italiam Gallorum hsec accepimus. Prisco Tar-
quinio Roinse regnante, Celtarum, qua? pars Galliae tertia est, penes
Bituriges summa imperii fuit : ii regem Celtico dabant. Ambi-
gatus is fuit, virtute fortunaque cum sua, turn publica, praepollens,
quod imperio ejus Gallia adeo frugum hominumque fertilis fuit, ut
abundans multitudo vix regi videretur posse. Hie magno natu
ipse jam, exonerare praegravante turba regnum cupiens, Bellovesum
ac Sigovesum, sororis filios, impigros juvenes, missurum se esse, in
quas dii dedissent auguriis sedes, ostendit. Quantum ipsi vellent,
numerum hominum excirent, ne qua gens arcere advenientes posset.
Turn Sigoveso sortibus dati Hercynii saltus : Belloveso haud paullo
laatiorem in Italiam viam dii dabant.
" Is, quod ejus ex populis abundabat, Bituriges, Arvernos,
Senones, iEduos, Ambarros, Carnutes, Aulercos, excivit. Profectus,
NOTES ON SECTION XXVIII. 81
ingentibus pedituni equitumque copiis, in Tricastinos venit. Per
Taurinos saltusque invios Alpes transcenderunt : fusisque acie Tuscis
haud procul Ticino flumine, quum, in quo consederanfc, agrum
Insubrium appellari audissent cognomine Insubribus pago iEduorum,
ibi, omen sequentes loci, condidere urbem: Mediolanum appellarunt.
" Alia subinde manus Cenomanorum, Elitovio duce, vestigia
priorum secuta, eodeni saltu, favente Belloveso, quum transcendisset
Alpes, ubi nunc Brixia ac Verona urbes sunt (locos tenuere Libui)
considunt.
" Post bos Salluvii prope antiquam gentem Laevos Ligures, in-
colentes circa Ticinum amnem.
" Penino deinde Boii Lingonesque transgressi, quum jam inter
Padum atque Alpes omnia tenerentur, Pado ratibus trajecto, non
Etruscos modo, sed etiam Umbros agro pellunt : intra Apenninum
tamen sese tenuere.
" Turn Senones, -recentissimi advenarum, ab Utente flumine
usque ad iEsim fines babuere. Hanc gentem Clusium, Romamque
inde, venisse comperio."
To this add the following passage from Polybius : —
Tavra -ye ra Tred'ia to iraXaidv eve\jlovto Tvpprjvoi . . o'iq etti/ul-
yvvfxevoL Kara. Ti]v Trapddsrnv KeXrot, Kal irspl to tcdXXog Ttjc x^pag
ocpdaXfAidaavTEs, ek fiiKpdg Tpofda-ecoc [xsydXr] arpariq 7rapae>o£wc
etteXBovteq, E^i^aXov ek tt\q Trepi tov Tldciov ywp a £ Tvpprjvovg Kal
KarE^ov avrol to. TTEcila. Ta fiiy ovv TvpHJra Kal irspl Tag avaroXdc
tov Hdcov KEi/jLEia Adoi Kal Ae€ekloi, jjurd Se tovtovq "Lcro/JL^pEg
KaTfOKriaav, o fiiyiarrov 'idvng y)v avrutv, l^ijc c!e tovtoiq ivapd tov
iroTafidv Y^Evo^idvoi' Td Si irpog tov 'AEpiav i]()r) irpoarjKovTa yivog
dXXo irdvv iraXawv SiaKaria^, irpo&ayopEvovTai he Qvevetoi . . Ta
8e Trepav tov Tldciov Td KEpl tov'Kttevvivov TrpuiToi fxev " Avavsg, ^uera
()£ TOVTOVQ BoiOl KaTWKTJffaV !£?}£ $E TOVTUfV WQ TtpOQ TOV 'AciptCU'
A'iyo)VEQ' tu cje TsXevTala Trpog SaXaTTr) ^,{]vu)veg — Polyb. ii. 17.
Assuming all this to be not only history, but the history of what may
be called the First Gallic Migration, the Trans-Pthenane Gauls are
accounted for. They are the descendants of the Gauls of Sigovesus.
But neither Polybius' nor Livy's account can well be considered
historical. Where were the records for the time in question 1 The
most that can be done in the way of connecting the Trans-Rhenane
Gauls of Csesar with the Gauls of Sigovesus, is to admit the common
character of the tradition that applied to them.
But what if the Gauls of the right bank of the Rhine were no
82 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
intruders at all ? What if they represented an originally Keltic
population of south-western Germany 1 What if the Germans had
been the encroachers 1 In this case our view changes ; and they are
the fragments of an old, rather than the rudiments of a new popula-
tion, and the account of their migration is no tradition but an
■inference ; an inference drawn from their eccentric locality, an infer-
ence which accounts for their outlying position, an inference in-
correct, in fact, but an inference natural to imperfect speculators
in ethnology.
I give no opinion as to how far this is likely to have been the
case ; the question it involves being one of great compass and subtilty ;
resting, as it does, upon some of the highest generalizations of the
phenomena of human distribution and human migration.
The history — real or supposed — of these Tectosages is curious.
The following account is in the words of Niebuhr.
" In the spring of the year after this, Cn. Manlius Vulso, the suc-
cessor of L. Cornelius Scipio, anxious for an opportunity to undertake
something from which he might derive fame and wealth — a desire
which is henceforward the prevailing characteristic of the Roman
generals — made a campaign against the Galatians, or Gallo-Grasci,
in Phrygia. In the time of Pyrrhus, these Gauls had penetrated
through Macedonia into Greece, as far as Delphi ; afterwards they
went eastward to Thrace ; but whether they were, as the Greeks
relate, induced to do so by fearful natural phenomena, or were
attracted by reports about the delightful countries of Asia, is un-
certain. Many remained in Thrace, and ruled over the country ;
but others, twenty thousand in number, crossed over into Asia, in
two divisions, the one going across the Hellespont, and the other
across the Bosporus, and their enterprise was facilitated by the feuds
of the Asiatic princes. There they settled on the northern coast, in
the territory about Ancyra, in Phrygia, just as, at a later period, the
Normans did in Neustria. They inhabited thirty-three towns, in a
country which, though it seems to have been destined by Providence
to be one of the most flourishing and happy in the world, is now,
under the despotism of barbarians, like an accursed desert. They
consisted of three tribes, bearing the strange names of Trocmi,
Tolistoboii, and Tectosagse. The first two seem to have been formed
during their wanderings, for they are not mentioned elsewhere.
They united with the Bithynians, where two small kingdoms were
growing up. The Bithynians were Thracians settled between Nico-
NOTES ON SECTION XXVIII. 83
media and Heraclea ; during the time of the Persian dominion they
were governed by native princes, and after the dissolution of the
Persian and Macedonian empires, the latter of which had always
been least consolidated in Asia Minor, they extended themselves,
and acquired considerable importance. Nicomedes, then king, took
those Gauls into his pay, there being then only ten thousand armed
men among them, defeated his rival, and founded the Bithynian
state, which gradually became Hellenised. From that time, the
Gauls sold their services to any one who might seek them, and made
the whole of western Asia tributary to themselves. Their history is
yet in great confusion ; but it can be cleared up, many materials
existing for it. They were defeated by Antiochus Soter, whereupon
they withdrew into the mountains, whence they afterwards burst
forth whenever circumstances allowed them, and all the neighbour-
ing nations paid tribute, to escape their devastations. But when
the war between Ptolemy Euergetes and Seleucus Callinicus, and
afterwards that between the former and Antiochus Hierax broke
out, they showed themselves thoroughly faithless, selling themselves
sometimes to the one, sometimes to the other, and were the scourge
of all Asia, until, to the amazement of every body, Attalus of Per-
gamus refused to pay tribute, attacked and defeated them, a fact
which can be accounted for only on the supposition, that through
idleness they had become quite effeminate and unwarlike, like the
Goths whom Belisarius found in Italy. They never entirely re-
covered from this blow, though they still continued to exercise
considerable influence, for Asia was always divided ; and although
Antiochus was staying in those countries, he was too much occupied
to turn his attention to them, and would not, moreover, have been
able to protect that part of Phrygia bordering on the district inha-
bited by the Gauls. Hence they still levied tribute far and wide,
and after the fall of Antiochus, the Asiatic nations dreaded lest they
should be unable to defend themselves. This gave Cn. Manlius an
opportunity of undertaking a campaign against them, and to come
forward as the protector of the Asiatics against the Galatians. His
demand that they should submit had been answered by those bar-
barians with a stolida ferocia, and he accordingly marched through
Phrygia, and attacked them in their mountains, without, however,
extirpating them. They continued in those districts, and preserved
their Celtic language for a remarkably long period. We find it
even in the time of Augustus ; but they, too, became Hellenised,
g2
84 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
and in this condition we find them at the time of St. Paul. The
campaign of Manlius Vulso against them was most desirable to the
inhabitants of Asia Minor, but on the part of the Romans, it was
very unjust, for Manlius Vulso undertook it contrary to the express
will of the decern legati who followed him' to Asia. The war was
brought to a close in two campaigns, but the Romans derived no
advantages from it, except the booty, and perhaps a sum of money
which was paid to them ; for the countries between Western Asia
and the districts of the Galatians were not subject to the Romans,
but only allied with them. The Galatians suffered so severe a de-
feat, that from this time forward they continued to live in quiet
obedience to the Romans."
To the existence of Galli, Galatce, or Gallo-Grceci in Phrygia, I
take no exceptions. The following passage in Livy contains the
very name in question : — " Non plus ex viginti millibus hominum,
quam decern armata erant. Tamen tantum terroris omnibus, quae cis
Taurum incolunt, gentibus injecerunt, ut, quas adissent quasque non
adissent, pariter ultimse propinquis, imperio parerent. Postremo,
quum tres essent gentes, Tolistoboii, Trocmi, Tectosagi, in tres partes,
qua cuique populorum suorum vectigalis Asia esset, diviserunt.
Trocmis Hellesponti ora data ; Tolistoboii iEolida atque Ioniam ;
Tectosagi mediterranea Asise sortiti sunt, et stipendium tota cis
Taurum Asia exigebant. Sedem autem ipsi sibi circa Halyn flumen
ceperunt; tantusque terror eorum nominis erat, multitudine etiam
magna sobole aucta, ut Syrian quoque ad postremum reges stipendium
dare non abnuerent. Primus Asiam incolentium abnuit Attalus,
pater regis Eumenis."
Further notice of this obscure question is taken in not. ad v.
Treviri.
- Helvetii.] — Much as is said about national migrations, as
opposed to the mere movements of great armies, containing only the
male portion of the population, there are but few, very few, for
which we have the unexceptionable evidence of contemporary wit-
nesses, and fewer still where we have an account of the details.
Of the absolute evacuation of the original country there is no
recorded instance — except in the case of habitually migratory tribes,
to whom agriculture is unknown.
Indeed, it is doubtful whether any movement of the kind in
question, beyond that of a vast army with a proportionate number
NOTES ON SECTION XXVIII. 85
of camp-followers (thus involving the presence of a certain number
of women and children) has ever been recorded. The nearest
recorded approach to such, in modern times, is the return of the
Kalmuk Mongols, from the parts between the Don and Volga, to their
original home in Western Mongolia. Here, old and young, male
and female, joined the migration, and the original locality was well-
nigh emptied of its Mongolians. Yet this was under peculiar cir-
cumstances. The population which thus set itself in movement was
not seeking a new seat (novas sedes), but returning to the country
from whence it originally came, and to which it naturally be-
longed. The search after a fresh locality is part and parcel of our
ideas of a migration. If the Jews from all parts of the world were
to return and re-people Palestine, we might, perhaps, coin the term
re-migration, but I do not think we should talk of the Jeivisk
migration. If such be the case, the return of the Kalmuks is only
an approach to a migration of the kind so often assumed.
I give Cassar's account of the Helvetic migration in full.
C^S. BELL. GALL. LIB. I.
II. Apud Helvetios longe nobilissimus et ditissimus fuit Orge-
torix. Is M. Messala et M. Pisone Coss. regni cupiditate inductus,
conjurationem nobilitatis fecit et civitati persuasit, ut de finibus
suis cum omnibus copiis exirent : perfacile esse, quum virtute omni-
bus prsestarent, totius Gallise imperio potiri. Id hoc facilius eis
persuasit, quod undique loci natura Helvetii continentur : una ex
parte fiumine Ptheno, latissimo atque altissimo, qui agrum Helvetium
a Germanis dividit ; altera ex parte monte Jura altissimo, qui est
inter Sequanos et Helvetios ; tertia lacu Lemanno et fiumine
Rhodano, qui provinciam nostram ab Helvetiis dividit. His rebus
fiebat, ut et minus late vagarentur, et minus facile fmitimis bellum
inferre possent : qua de caussa homines bellandi cupidi magno dolore
adficiebantur. Pro multitudine autem hominum, et pro gloria belli
atque fortitudinis, angustos se fines habere arbitrabantur, qui in lon-
gitudinem millia passuum ccxl., in latitudinem clxxx. patebant.
III. His rebus adducti, et auctoritate Orgetorigis permoti, con-
stituerunt, ea, qua? ad profiscendum pertinerent, comparare ; jumeyU-
torum et carrorum quam maximum numerum coemere ; sementes
quam maximas facere, ut in itinere copia frumenti suppeteret ; cum
proximis civitatibus pacem et amicitiam confirmare. Ad eas res
conficiendas biennium sibi satis esse duxerunt : in tertium annum
86 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
profectionem lege confirmant. Ad eas res conficiendas Orgetorix
deligitur. Is, ubi legationem ad civitates suscepit, in eo itinere
persuadet Castico, Cataniantaledis filio, Sequano, cujus pater regnum
in Sequanis multos annos obtinuerat, et a senatu populi Romani
amicus adpellatus erat, ut regnum in civitate sua occuparet, quod
pater ante habuerat : itemque Dumnorigi iEduo, fratri Divitiaci,
qui eo tempore principatum in civitate obtinebat ac maxime plebi
acceptus erat, ut idem conaretur, persuadet, eique filiam suam in
matrimonium dat. Perfacile factu esse, illis probat, conata perficere,
propterea quod ipse suae civitatis imperium obtenturus esset : non
esse dubium, quin totius Gallia? plurimum Helvetii possent : se suis
copiis suoque exercitu illis regna conciliaturum, confirmat. Hac
oratione adducti, inter se fidem et jusjurandum dant et, regno occu-
pato, per tres potentissimos ac firmissimos populos totius Gallise sese
potiri posse sperant.
IV. Ea res ut est Helvetiis per indicium enunciata, moribus suis
Orgetorigem ex vinculis caussam dicere coegernnt : damnatum
poenam sequi oportebat, ut igni cremaretur. Die constituta caussae
dictionis, Orgetorix ad judicium omnem suam familiam, ad hominum
millia decern, undique coegit et omnes clientes obseratosque suos,
quorum magnum numerum habebat, eodem conduxit : per eos, ne
caussam diceret, se eripuit. Quum civitas, ob earn rem incitata
armis jus suum exsequi conaretur multitudinemque hominum ex
agris magistratus cogerent, Orgetorix mortuus est : neque abest
suspicio, ut Helvetii arbitrantur, quin ipse sibi mortem consciverit.
V. Post ejus mortem nihilo minus Helvetii id, quod consti-
tuerant, facere conantur, ut e finibus suis exeant. Ubi jam se
ad earn rem paratos esse arbitrati sunt, oppida sua omnia,
numero ad duodecim, vicos ad quadringentos, reliqua privata
Mdificia incendunt, frumentum omne, praeter quod secum portaturi
erant, comburunt, ut, domum reditionis spe sublata, paratiores ad
omnia pericula subeunda essent : trium mensium molita cibaria sibi
quemque domo efferre jubent. Persuadent Rauracis et Tulingis et
Latobrigis finitimis, uti, eodem usi consilio, oppidis suis vicisque
exustis, una cum iis proficiscantur : Boiosque, qui trans Rhenum
incoluerant et in agrum Noricum transierant Noreiamque oppu-
gnarant, receptos ad se socios sibi adsciscunt.
VI. Erant omnino itinera duo, quibus itineribus domo exire
possent : unum per Sequanos, angustum et difficile, inter montem
Juram et flumen Rbodanum, vix qua singuli carri ducerentur ; mons
NOTES ON SECTION XXVIII. 87
autem altissimus impendebat, ut facile perpauci prohibere pos-
sent : alteram per provinciam nostram, raulto facilius atque
expeditius, propterea quod Helvetic-rum inter fines et Allobrogum,
qui nuper pacati erant, Rhodanus fluit, isque nonnullis locis vado
transitur. Extremum oppidum Allobrogum est proximumque Hel-
vetiorum finibus, Geneva. Ex eo oppido pons ad Helvetios pertinet.
Allobrogibus sese vel persuasuros, quod nondum bono animo in
populum Romanum viderentur, existimabant ; vel vi coacturos, ut
per suos fines eos ire paterentur. Omnibus rebus ad profectionem
comparatis, diem dicunt, qua die ad ripam Rhodani omnes con-
veniant : is dies erat a. d. V. Kal. Apr. L. Pisone, A. Gabinio Coss.
VII. Caesari quum id nunciatum es"set, eos per provinciam
nostram iter facere conari, maturat ab urbe proficisci ; et, quam
maximis potest itineribus, in Galliam ulteriorem contendit et ad
Genevam pervenit ; provincise toti quam maximum potest militum
numerum imperat (erat omnino in Gallia ulteriore legio una) : pon-
tem, qui erat ad Genevam, jubet rescindi. Ubi de ejus adventu
Helvetii certiores facti sunt, legatos ad eum mittunt, nobilissimos
civitatis, cujus legationis Nameius et Verudoctius principem locum
obtinebant, qui dicerent " sibi esse in animo, sine ullo maleficio itei
per provinciam facere, propterea quod aliud iter haberent nullum :
rogare, ut ejus voluntate id sibi facere liceat." Caesar, quod memoria
tenebat, L. Cassium consulem occisum, exercitumque ejus ab Hel-
vetiis pulsum et sub jugum missum, concedendum non putabat :
neque homines inimico animo, data facultate per provinciam itineris
faciundi, temperaturos ab injuria et maleficio existimabat. Tamen,
ut spatium intercedere posset, dum milites, quos imperaverat, con-
venient, legatis respondit, " diem se ad deliberandum sumturum ; si
quid vellent, a. d. Idus Apr. reverterentur."
VIII. Interea ea legione, quam secum habebat, militibusque,
qui ex provincia convenerant, a lacu Lemanno, qui in flumen Rho-
danum influit, ad montem Juram, qui fines Sequanorum ab Helvetiis
dividit, millia passuum decern novem murum, in altitudinem pedum
sedecim, fossamque perducit. Eo opere perfecto, praesidia disponit
castella communit, quo facilius, si se invito transire conarentur, pro-
hibere possit. Ubi ea dies, quam constituerat cum legatis, venit, et
legati ad eum reverterunt, negat, " se more et exemplo populi Romani
posse iter ulli per provinciam dare ; et, si vim facere conentur, prohi-
biturum " ostendit. Helvetii, ea spe dejecti, navibus junctis ratibusque
compluribus factis, alii vadis Rhodani, qua minima altitudo fluminis
88 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
erat, nonnunquam interdiu, saepius noctu, si perrumpere possent,
conati, operis munitione et railitum concursu et telis repulsi, hoc
conatu destiterunt.
IX. Relinquebatur una per Sequanos via, qua, Sequanis invitis,
propter angustias ire non poterant. His quuru sua sponte persuadere
non possent, legatos ad Dumnorigem JEduuni inittunt, ut eo depre-
catore a Sequanis impetrarent. Dumnorix gratia et largitione apud
Sequanos plurimum poterat et Helvetiis erat amicus, quod ex ea
civitate Orgetorigis filiam in matrimonium duxerat, et cupiditate
regni adductus novis rebus studebat et quam plurimas civitates suo
sibi beneficio habere obstrictas volebat. Itaque rem suscipit et a
Sequanis impetrat, ut per fines suos ire Helvetios patiantur, obsides-
que uti inter sese dent, perficit : Sequani, ne itinere Helvetios prohi-
beant ; Helvetii, ut sine maleficio et injuria transeant.
X. Ccesari renuntiatur, Helvetiis esse in animo, per agrum
Sequanorum et iEduoruin iter in Santonum fines facere, qui non
longe a Tolosatium finibus absunt, quae civitas est in provincia. Id
si fieret, intelligebat, magno cum periculo provinciae futurum, ut
homines bellicosos, populi Romani inimicos, locis patentibus maxi-
meque frumentariis finitimos haberet. Ob eas caussas ei munitioni,
quam fecerat, T. Labienum legatum pr.efecit : ipse in Italiam magnis
itineribus contendit, duasque ibi legiones conscribit et tres, quae
circum Aquileiam hiemabant, ex hibernis educit et, qua proximum
iter in ulteriorem Galliam per Alpes erat, cum his quinque legio-
nibus ire contendit. Ibi Centrones et Graioceli et Caturiges, locis
superioribus occupatis, itinere exercitum prohibere conantur. Com-
pluribus his prceliis pulsis, ab Ocelo, quod est citerioris provinciae
extremum, in fines Vocontiorum ulterioris provincial die septimo
pervenit : inde in Allobrogum fines, ab Allobrogibus in Segusianos
exercitum ducit. Hi sunt extra provinciam trans Rhodanum primi.
XI. Helvetii jam per angustias et fines Sequanorum suas copias
transduxerant et in iEduorum fines pervenerant eorumque agros
populabantur. iEdui, quum se suaque ab iis defendere non possent,
legatos ad Caesarem mittunt rogatum auxilium : " ita se omni tempore
de populo Romano meritos esse, ut paene in conspectu exercitus nostri
agri vastari, liberi eorum in servitutem abduci, oppida expugnari non
debuerint." Eodem tempore Ambarri, necessarii et consanguinei
iEduorum, Caesarem certiorem faciunt, sese, depopulatis agris, non
facile ab oppidis vim hostium prohibere : item Allobroges, qui trans
Rhodanum vicos possessionesque habebant, fuga se ad Caesarem
NOTES ON SECTION XXVIII. 89
recipiunt et deruonstrant, sibi prater agri solum nihil esse reliqui.
Quibus rebus adductus Caesar, non exspectanduin sibi statuit, dum,
omnibus fortunis sociorum consumtis, in Santonos Helvetii per-
venirent.
XII. Flumen est Arar, quod per fines iEduorum et Sequanorum
in Rhodanum influit incredibili lenitate, ita ut oculis, in utram
partem fluat, judicari non possit. Id Helvetii ratibus ac lintribus
junctis transibant. Ubi per exploratores Csesar certior factus est, tres
jam copiarum partes Helvetios id flumen transduxisse, quartam
vero partem citra flumen Ararim reliquam esse : de tertia vigilia
cum legionibus tribus e castris profectus, ad earn partem pervenit,
quse nondum flumen transierat. Eos * impeditos et inopinantes
adgressus, magnam eorum partem concidit : reliqui fugas sese man-
darunt atque in proximas silvas abdiderunt. Is pagus adpellabatur
Tigurinus : nam omnis civitas Helvetia in quatuor pagos divisa est.
Hie pagus unus, quum domo exisset, patrum nostrorum memoria
L. Cassium consulem interfecerat et ejus exercitum sub jugum
miserat. Ita, sive casu, sive consilio deorum immortalium, quse
pars civitatis Helvetise insignem calamitatem populo Romano intu-
lerat, ea princeps pcenas persolvit.
XXVII. Helvetii, omnium rerum inopia adducti, legatos de
deditione ad eum miserunt. Qui quum eum in itinere convenissent
seque ad pedes projecissent suppliciterque locuti flentes pacem
petissent, atque eos in eo loco, quo turn essent, suum adventum
exspectare jussisset, paruerunt. Eo postquam Csesar pervenit, obsides,
arma, servos, qui ad eos perfugissent, poposcit. Dum ea conqui-
runtur et conferuntur, nocte intermissa, circiter bominum millia
vi. ejus pagi, qui Verbigenus adpellatur, sive timore perterriti, ne
armis traditis supplicio adficerentur, sive spe salutis inducti, quod,
in tanta multitudine dedititiorum, suam fugam aut occultari, aut
omnino ignorari posse existimarent, prima nocte e castris Helve-
tiorum egressi, ad Rhenum. finesque Germanorum contenderunt.
XXVIII. Quod ubi Csesar resciit, quorum per fines ierant, bis,
uti conquirerent et reducerent, si sibi purgati esse vellent, imperavit :
reductos in hostium nuniero babuit : reliquos omnes, obsidibus,
armis, perfugis traditis, in deditionem accepit. Helvetios, Tulingos,
Latobrigos in fines suos, unde erant profecti, reverti jussit ; et quod,
omnibus fructibus amissis, dorai nihil erat, quo famem tolerarent,
90 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Allobrogibus imperavit, ut iis frumeriti copiam facerent : ipsos
oppida vicosque, quos incenderant, restituere jussit. Id ea maxiine
ratione fecit, quod noluit, eum locum, uncle Helvetii discesserant,
vacare ; ne propter bonitatem agrorum Gerniani, qui trans Rbenum
incolunt, e suis finibus in Helvetiorum fines transirent, et finitimi
Galliae provinciae Allobrogibusque essent. Boios, petentibus iEduis,
quod egregia virtute erant cogniti, ut in finibus suis collocarent,
concessit : quibus illi agros dederunt, quosque postea in parem juris
libertatisque conditionem, atque ipsi erant, receperunt.
XXIX. In castris Helvetiorum tabulae repertoe sunt, litteris
Grcecis confectce, et ad Caesarem relate, quibus in tabulis nominatim
ratio confecta erat, qui numerus domo exisset eorum, qui arma ferre
possent : et item separatim pueri, senes, mulieresque. Quarum
omnium rerum summa erat, capitum Helvetiorum millia cclxiii.,
Tulingorum millia xxxvi., Latobrigorum xiv., Rauracorum xxiii.,
Boiorum xxxn. : ex his, qui arma ferre possent, ad millia xcn.
Summa omnium fuerunt ad millia ccclxviii. Eorum, qui domum
redierunt, censu babito, ut Crcsar imperaverat, repertus est numerus
millium c. et x.
The Deserta Helvetiorum I believe to have been, not the waste
tract left by any emigrant Helvetii, but the waste tract left as a
March on the Helveto-Germanic frontier ; a waste, most probably,
of German rather than Gallic making.
3 Boienii nomen, &c] — Zeuss considers that the present pas-
sage in Tacitus is the complement to the statement of Caesar ; and
that the former fills up the holes left by the latter, " Erst Tacitus,
die Liicken, die Ca?sar gelassen hat, ausfullend berichtet dariiber,
validiores, &c." (p. 171.)
I do not think this. Tacitus merely assents to the reasonableness
of Caesar's opinion as to the Gauls having once encroached upon
the Germans, instead of (as in his time) retiring before them, and
confirms it with the fresh instance involved in the name Boiohem.
He also justifies us in carrying the Gauls of Germany as far north
as the Maine.
But the important word is the compound Boi-o-hem-um.
It was a name well known to the Romans ; and this allows
Tacitus to bestow little more than a passing allusion to it.
The writers who first use it are Paterculus and Strabo. See
Prolegomena.
NOTES ON SECTION XXVIII. 91
It is truly and unequivocally German — a German gloss. The
-hem = occupation, residence, being the same word as the -heim
in Mann-heim in High German ; the -hem in Arn-hem in Dutch ;
the -um in Dokk-wm in Frisian ; the -ham in Threhing-ham
in English. Hence Boi-o-hem-um=the home of the Boii. As a
gloss, its unequivocal character is on the same high level with the
compound Marc-o-manni. No one, however much opposed to ety-
mological guess-work, has ever objected to either.
Word for word, and element for element, Boiohemum is the same
as Bohemia.
Some of the other compounds of the root Boi- are interesting.
Be-heim-are, a triple compound, or a decomposite, combines the
elements of both Ba-varia and Bo-hem-ia, and stands for Be-heim-
ware=the occupants of the home of the Boii.
Boe-manni=the Boian men.
Beo-tvinidi=the Boian Wends, or Slavonians.
With the exception of the compound Marc-o-manni, no German
gloss was more current in Rome than the word in question. Strabo
has it, 'Eoti ml to Bovtaijdov to tov Mapo€ovSov fSaoiXeiov, slg ov
IkzIvoq tottov aWovg ts ixtTaviaTriae irXtiov^, Kal Srj tovq bixotdvelg
kavTtp MapicofifxdrovQ- — Strabo, vii. 1.
Ptolemy's form is BaLvoyaijiai; a form taken from some dialect
where the h was pronounced as a stronger guttural than elsewhere.
Word for word, and element for element, Boiohemum= Bohemia ;
but whether the localities coincide as closely as the forms of the name,
is another question. It has been too readily assumed that they do.
It cannot be denied that identity of name is prima facie evidence
of identity of place. But it is not more. Hence, although it would
be likely enough, if the question were wholly uncomplicated, that
the Boiohemum of Paterculus were the Bohemia of the present century,
doubts arise as soon as the name and the description disagree, and
they increase when the identification of either the Boii, or their
German invaders, with the inhabitants of Bohemia leads to ethno-
logical and geographical difficulties.
All this is really the case.
The disagreement between the name Boio-hem and the position
of the present country of Bohemia meets us in the very passage
before us. The former lies between the Maine, the Rhine, and the
Hercynian Forest. No part of Bohemia is thus bounded.
As to the history of the Boii, it is one of great prominence and
92 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
importance. But what is that of the geographical area now called
Bohemia 1 So unknown was that remarkable country to the Greeks
and Romans, that its obscurity was that of the central parts of Africa
in our own time. There was a reason for this. Its natural moun-
tain-rampart would preserve it from invasion.
Those same mountain-ramparts, however, which would thus tend
to keep the country inviolate, in the case of a war, could hardly
escape notice and description. Yet no such notices and descrip-
tions exist. Of the present Bohemia, we find no unequivocal ac-
count whatever in any Roman writer. Equivocal accounts we do
find : but these are got at by assuming the Marcomannic kingdom
of Maroboduus to have lain within Bohemia, and as they apply to
this Marcomannic kingdom only, they cease to be Bohemian as soon
as the Marcomanni are placed elsewhere.
It may simplify the question to anticipate.
I believe the Boi-o-hem-um of Tacitus to have been, not Bohemia,
but Bavaria.
Bavaria and Bohemia are nearly the same words.
a. The first element in each is the proper name Boii. In the
sixth and seventh centuries the fuller form of Bavaria is Bojo-aria,
Bai-varia, Bajo-aria, Baiu-varii, &c.
b. The second element is equivalent in power, though not inform,
to the second element in Bo-hemia. It is the word ware=inhabitants
or ocaqxints in the Anglo-Saxon form, Cantware=p>eople of Kent.
Hence Bohemia = the Boian occupancy ; Bavaria — the occupant
Boians.
This leads us to the fact that however much we may place the
Boii in Bo-hemia, we cannot do so exclusively. As far as the name
goes, there were Boii in Bavaria as well ; Boii, too, who gave their
name to their land.
But this is not enough. We require substantive proof beyond
the inference arising from the similarity of name for this latter fact.
At present the argument stands thus : —
Boiohem, in the time of Tacitus, meant Bavaria. Not so, may be
the answer. It is granted that only one locality may be intended
by the two names, but why may not Bavaria originally have meant
Bohemia ? The answer to this must rest on its own grounds.
It is no small argument in favour of the original single power
of the two names, to find that the alternative just indicated is a
real one. Zeuss expends much learning upon it, giving reasons
NOTES ON SECTION XXVIII. 93
for believing not that the Boii of Bavaria were one people, whilst
the Boii of Bohemia were another, nor yet that that name Bohemia
originally meant Bavaria, but that Bavarian Bohemia.
I reverse Zeuss's view, believing that Boihemis= Bavaria. The
Boia-hemum of Tacitus (as already stated) is certainly more Bavarian
than Bohemian.
So is that of Strabo ; every association of the Boii of the fol-
lowing passage is with the populations so far south, as to make
Bavaria a more likely locality for them than Bohemia.
BoipE^iarrjQ . . Botovg Kal dpdrjv ijcpdvure tovq vnb Kpiraaipa,
Kal Tavpirricovc. — Str. vii. p. 304. Td 'IkXvpmd.. . dpldpiEva aVo rrjg
Xi/j.vr]g tT]q Kard tovq QvivceXtKovg Kal 'FaiTOvg Kal Totviovg. M.epog
fxev ci{] ti Trjg yjopag ravrrjg rjpinuwaav ol AaVoi KaraKo\tfxi]aavrEg
Boiovc Kal TavpicrKovg, 'iQvr) KeXriicd, rd virb JLpiTotripa). — Id. p. 313.
Again —
Me'yiora i\v t&v KeXt&v edvr) Botoi, Kal "Ivaovtpoi, Kal ol rr/v
'PwjKatwv ttoXlv ki, i(j>6cov KaTaXatovTEg Y,evit)V£g perd T'ctMraruiv
rovrovg fiev ovv E^,i(pO£ipav varspov reXiijjg Pw/.ia7oi. Tovg £e Bo'iove
kl,i]Xarrav ek tuiv tottojv' /UETaaTavTEg v YaiGaT&v, Kal ^.evojvojv,
XEiTrerai Ta AtyvartKa (pvXa, Kal twv 'Pwjuatwvat dnoiKiai. — p. 216.
Again —
KaTE^ovcrt £e Tijv Eirap-^iav (Jlavvoviav Tr)v dvw), ev fxkv toIq
Trpog apKTOvg fispEaiv," AfaAoi /jlev hvfffjuKtoTEpoi. Kvtvol payylaQ oe irXrjaiov kcltoikovm,
ko.1 (Tvvopovcri S/cXaGotc toic dSan-laroig %ip€\oig' to Be Xpio€drot tt\
twv 2t:Xa'bW cioXektw EpprjVEVETai, tovteoti, ol tijv iroXXrjv ywpav
KaTEypv-EQ. — Const. Porphyrog. De Admin. Imp. c. 31, ed. Par. p. 97.
Ot c?£ XpwtaTOi KaTu)Kovv TT]vucavTa ekeIBev Bayi^apa'ac, ivda tlalv
dpTiiog BeXo^pw^aVoi, pla £e yEVEa CLa^wpiaQt~i(Ta ei; uvtwv, tfyovv
aC£\(pol TTEVTE, 0, TE KXoVKdg KO.1 6 A6€eXoq KCU 6 KoUEVT^rjQ Kal 6
Mou)(Xw* Kal 6 Xpu>£aroc, Kal a£e X MeyaXw
pjjyt <&payyiag ttjq Kal "LafyaQ, Kal dtdirTUJTOi Tvyydvovai, avpiTEv-
dEpiag p£Ta tovc TovpKovg Kal dydnac e-^ovteq. — C. 30, ed. Par. p.
95. "Oti i] ptydXt] XpwtaTta Kal f]"Apdy*'wv, Kal TovpKwv* Kal liar £ ivaK it w v. 'AAA' o'vte
(rayrjvag KEKTrjVTai, ovte KovSovpag, ovte ep.7ropevTiicd TrXola, wq fjiijicodev
ovariQ Ttjg SaAdtrarjg' utto yap ru>v ekeive p.E\pi t?}q SfaXdaurjQ 6S6g
iany fj/xepuiy X'' i) £e SdXaaaa, £ig fjv did rwv tjpcpwv X' KcnipyovTai,
iarlv i) Xsyofxet'y ^koteivt]. — C. 31, ed. Paris, p. 99 ; 13, p, 63. Of Si
Xpiogdroi irpbq rd oprj toTq TovpKoiQ irapaKEivTai. 'Igteov oti ol
1,eptXoi ditb twv dtairriGTiov 1,£p%Xwv, twc teal "Aenrpwv iTrovopafa-
/uivwv, tcaTayovTai-, twv tyjq 'Yovpniac, itceiQtv KaroiKovvTwv slg tov irap
avrolg Boiki T07TOV ETrovop.aZ6p.Evov, iv olc TvXr)(Jid^EL Kal >; <&payyia,
o/zotwc Kal I] pEydXr) Xpw^aria i] d^drrTirTTOQ, f) Kal"Akovv Kara, tovtov tov
totcov Ov€ioi, ovq /uer/)yay£i' V Aypt7r7rac Ikovtclq tig r^v ivTOQ tov
'Pjyj'ou — Strabo, iv. p. 194.
The complement to the last six notes is Epilegomena, § The Quasi-
Germanic Gnu Is.
XXIX. Omnium harum gentium virtute prsecipui
Batavi, 1 non multum ex ripa, sed insulam Rheni amnis
colunt, Chattorum quondam populus, et seditione do-
mestica in eas sedes transgressus, in quibus pars Ro-
mani imperii fierent. Manet honos, et antiquse so-
cietatis insignernam nee tributis contemnuntur, nee
•publicanus atterit : exempti oneribus et collationibus,
et tantum in usum proeliorum sepositi, velut tela atque
arma, bellis reservantur. Est in eodem obsequio et
Mattiacorum 2 gens. Protulit enim magnitude* populi
Romani ultra Rhenum, ultraque veteres terminos,
imperii reverentiam. Ita sede finibusque in sua ripa,
NOTES ON SECTION XXIX, 10]
mente animoque nobiscum agunt, cetera similes Ba-
tavis, nisi quod ipso adlmc terras suae solo et coelo
acrius animantur. Non numeraverim inter Germanise
populos, qnamquam trans Rhenum Danubiumque con-
sederint, eos, qui Decumates agros 3 exercent. Le-
vissimus quisque Gallorum, et inopia audax, dubise
possessionis solum occupavere. Mox limite acto, 4 pro-
motisque prsesidiis, sinus imperii, et pars provincioa
habentur.
NOTES ON SECTION XXIX.
1 Batavi.] — Cassar places the Batavi in the island formed by the
Maas, Vhaal, and Rhine, " Mosa, parte quadam ex Rheno recepta,
quse appellatur Vahalis, insulam efficitBatavorum." — Bell. Gall. iv. 10.
The Over-Betuive and Neder-Betuwe still preserve the name.
Probably, they also fix the locality.
This is considerably distant from Hesse, the centre of the Chatti.
Nevertheless, the origin ascribed to the Batavi by Tacitus must be
taken as we find it.
Upon the principle of considering all migrations along a navi-
gable water- course, where the population of the intermediate parts
differs from that of the extremities, as fluviatile, I consider that the
Batavi came from the country of the Chatti in boats. Still, Hesse is
on the Weser rather than on the Rhine.
Hitherto there are but few complications.
A slight difficulty arises from certain passages in Dion. He
speaks of the merits and numbers of the Batavian cavalry. This
is not what we expect from the occupants of a small island.
A greater arises when we try to reconcile the statement of Tacitus
with the present state of the Dutch language. The Dutch of
Holland is a Platt-Deutsch dialect, nowhere more so than in Over
and Neder Betuwe.
The language of the Hessians (or modern Chatti) is High German.
Again — the name Batavi extended farther than the insula (in-
sulce) Batavorum, at least as early as the time of Ptolemy ; since
that writer mentions Leyden-=A.ovy6hivov Baragwv. Now Aovyo-
cjeivov (Lug-dunum) is not only Keltic in respect to its termination
-dunum, but was also the name of the unequivocally Gallic town
Lyons (Lug-
102 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Lastly — although we can, by considering the Batavian Chatti
to have been an inconsiderable and intrusive population, get over
the difficulty arising out of the High-German dialect of the Chatti,
and the Platt-Deutsch of the present people of Holland, we are not
at liberty to do so. According to Tacitus, the Batavi were so far
from standing alone, that the Caninefates were in the same category,
— " Caninefates, . . . . ea gens partem insulse colit, origine, lingua,
virtute par Batavis, numero superantur" — Hist. iv. 15.
For a further notice of the Batavi, see Epilegomena, § Baitl and
Subatti.
• Mattiacorum.~\ — The mention of the warm baths of the Mattiaci —
" Mattiaci in Germania fontes calidi trans Rhenum " (Pliny, xxxi. 2),
— fixes them in the neighbourhood of Wisbaden. This is Zeuss's
inference ; and there seems no good reason for refining on it. The
fact of a mixed army of Chatti, Usipii, and Mattiaci, besieging
Mayeuce confirms this view. " Maguntiaci obsessores mixtus ex
Chattis,Usipiis, Mattiacis exercitus." — Tac.Hist.iv. 37 — Zeuss, p. 09.
3 Decumates agros.~\ — The Decumates agri were, in the time of
Caesar, a debatable land between the Gauls and the Germans.
By the time of Tacitus it had been appropriated by Borne.
Xiebuhr expressly states that, in the reigns of Augustus and
Tiberius, Suabia was not yet subject to Borne ; his reason being
that no mention is made of any attacks upon Germany south of
the Lahn. Although this view rests upon negative evidence, and
is qualified by the statement that all that is known about this war
is vague and indefinite, the a priori probabilities are in favour of
it, and it would be hypercritical to refine upon it.
Domitian's actions in Germany are, probably, undervalued.
Niebuhr mentions his war with the Chatti about the Maine. He
also admits the evidence of medals as to the title of Germanicus
borne by Domitian ; but he demurs to the evidence of Martial as to
its being deserved ; adding that " the historians are unanimous that
those victories were not realities, though they cannot be wholly
fictitious." In the subsequent lecture, he supplies the additional
statement that the " Arm Flavice, the name of a place on the military
road from the Maine to Augsburg, proves that, probably under Domi-
tian, the Bomans had already taken possession of that sinus imperii."
He adds, in a note, that Frontinus (Strateg. i. 3, 10) expressly
NOTES ON SECTION XXIX. 103
ascribes the construction of the limes Bomanus to Domitian. Why-
then use such epithets as probably ? Nine-tenths of the admitted
facts in history, is less supported by evidence than the reduction of
the Decumates agri, anterior to the reign of Nerva. This is a
point to which even the present passage bears testimony.
Under Nerva there was a " little war in Suabia, the only trace of
which exists in an inscription, in which mention is made of a vic-
toria Suevica." This was in 97 or 89, a.d. — Niebuhr's Lectures.
Under Trajan and Adrian, the relations between Rome and Ger-
many were peaceful. — Ditto.
In the reign of Antoninus Pius " we hear of a defensive war
against the Chatti." — Ditto.
The great Marcomannic war characterized the reign of Aurelius
Antoninus. In this, the tribes on the Decumatian frontier took
some, but not the main, part. This was chiefly in the hands of the
Germans of the Slavonic Marches — the agri Decumates being a
Gallic or Romano- Gallic one.
Commodus purchased an absence from hostilities, and Severus,
probably, overawed them. At any rate, we hear nothing of German
wars in his reign.
One of the titles of Caracalla presents us, for the first time, with
the important epithet Alemannicus. How it was earned we learn
from the following extract — " Antoninus, Caracalla dictus ....
Alernannos, gentem populosum, ex equo mirifice pugnantem, prope
Maenum amnem devicit." — Aur. Victor, de Caes. c. 21.
This is the first time the important name Alemanni occurs, and
for that reason the notice of the agri Decumates has been brought
down thus low (a.d. 215) ; since the agri Decumates, and the parts
to the north and east of them, form the great Alemannic area.
Further notice of these Germans will be found in Epilegomena,
§ Alemanni.
In saying that " in the time of Tacitus the agri Decumates had
been appropriated by Rome," I mean not that it was settled, or
organized, but that it was kept as a March or military frontier. A
debatable land of this kind is the Suevic Waste, as described by
Caesar. I believe that at the present moment a portion of the
Austrian and Ottoman frontier is in this condition, — viz., Turkish
Croatia, between Austrian Croatia, Herzegovina, Bosnia, and
Slavonia.
Politically, the Decumates agri coincide with the modern Duchy of
104 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Baden, three-fourths of Wurtemburg, Hohenzollern, and a small
corner of Bavaria.
Physically, they form the district of the Black Forest and the
Rauhe Alpe, and consist of a table-land, containing the head-waters
of the Neckar.
4 Limits ado.] — Was this limes a ditch, wall, or rampart, or was
it a physical boundary ; in other words, does limes mean an artificial
or a natural line of demarcation 1 The reference to Frontinus in
the previous note partially answers this. The limes was an artificial
boundary.
Between the bend of the Neckar and the upper part of the river
Altmuhl, in the neighbourhood of Ohringen, are the remains of a
fortified ditch. On the Upper Altmuhl they can be traced afresh ;
and they re-appear on the Danube, between Pforing and Kelheim.
Part or the whole of this is called the Teufelsmauer, or DeviVs Wall.
The inference that it is of Roman origin is unexceptionable. The
exact line, however, has not, I believe, been worked out. Neither
has its connection or wo?i-connection with the Pfahl-Graben.
The Pfahl-Graben is a similar line, running at nearly right angles
with the river Lahn, between Giessen and Ortenburg.
For practical purposes, a rough conventional line will do as well
as a real one. This may be drawn so as to make the limes run from
the Maine to Kelheim, i.e., from the junction of the Maine and Rhine,
to the junction of the Altmuhl and Danube. This gives to the
Romans rather more than Zeuss, and rather less than Niebuhr allows
them.
XXX. Ultra hos Chatti 1 initium sedis ab Hercynio
saltu 2 inchoant, non ita effusis ac palustribus locis,
ut cetera? civitates, in quas Germania patescit : clurant
siquiclem colles, paullatimque rarescunt : et Chattos
suos saltus Hercynius prosequitur simul atque de-
ponit. Duriora genti corpora, stricti artus, minax
vultus, et major animi vigor. Multum (ut inter Ger-
manos) rationis ac solertice : prasponere electos, audire
prsepositos, nosse ordines, intelligere occasiones, dif-
NOTES ON SECTION XXX. 105
ferre impetus, disponere diem, vallare noctem, for-
tunam inter dubia, virtutem inter certa numerare :
quodque rarissimum, nee nisi ratione disciplines con-
cessum, plus reponere in dnce, quam in exercitu.
Omne robur in pedite, quern super arma ferramentis
quoque et copiis onerant. Alios ad prcelium ire videas,
Chattos ad bellum : rari excursus et fortuita pugna.
Equestrium sane virium id proprium, cito parare
victoriam, cito cedere. Velocitas juxta formidinem,
cunctatio propior constantly est.
NOTES ON SECTION XXX.
1 Chatti.'] — The" two chief ethnological facts connected with this
name are : —
1. That Chatti and Hesse are one and the same word.
2. That the Chatti of Tacitus are the Suevi of Caasar.
The propriety of spelling the word with an -h-, and of writing
Chatti rather than Catti, is indicated by the Greek forms, Xdrroi,
and Xdrrai, Kctrroi or KaVrat being nowhere found, though
in some of the newer and more inferior MSS. of Pliny and Tacitus
Catti is the reading.
Just as the ch in Chauci becomes in German the h in Hoeing, so
does the ch in Chatti become the h in Hesse.
The change from t to s is the same that occurs in the High German
form wasser as opposed to the Low German water.
All this is a matter which has been generally received by those
who first worked it out, viz., the German philologists, Zeuss, Grimm,
and others. Whether, however, the real nature of the change has
been explained, or rather whether any change at all has taken place,
is uncertain. As far as I can ascertain the views of the writers in
question, their opinion seems to be that those Hessians of Hesse who
coincided with the ancient Chatti, called themselves by that name
(Chatti). If so, the old form has changed into the new one, and
the word which was now Hesse was once Chatti, the change having
taken place on Hessian ground, and under the influence of time
alone.
This is not the view which the present writer adopts. He sees
no grounds for believing that the Hessians ever used, as their own
106 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
designation, any other form than the one in h- and s-. Hence to
say that Hesse came from Chatti is like saying that wasser came from
water; the truth being that the one was the High, the other the
Low German form.
Admitting this, we gain something more than a barren fact. We
infer that, in the particular case of the Chatti, at least, the authori-
ties of Tacitus were Loio Germans ; a view confirmed not only by
the a priori probabilities of the case, but by several other similar
points of internal evidence.
That the Chatti of Tacitus are the Suevi of Ctesar, is grounded
upon the —
a. Absence of the name Chatti in the Bellum Galiicum : though
they were the people most immediately in contact with Gaul.
b. The history of the war with Ariovistus.
c. The magnitude of the two populations ; each requiring too
large an area to be in juxtaposition with one another within the
assignable limits.
d. The absence of the evidence of any considerable movements in
the way of conquest or migration between the times of Caesar and
Strabo, this latter writer mentioning the Chatti.
Grimm, who, as a Hessian, has entered upon the minute ethnology
of his native country con amore, has added to these reasons, and
found confirmations of their identity in the local legends of Hesse.
No reader acquainted with the vitality of old bye-words, and with
the metamorphoses of popular stories, will think the following points
of evidence unworthy of record.
a. Let the word Chatti, originally Low German, but now Roman,
give rise to a nickname (Schimpf-wort), applicable to the Hessians.
Let them be called dogs or whelps, according to the translation of
the root of cat-ul-us. Let such a name apply to both the Hessians
and the Suabians. As far as this goes, it goes towards the connec-
tion of the two by means of the common name Catti.
Now a nickname (Schimpfwort) of the Hessians is Hund-Hessen or
Dog Hessians (Hound Hessians') : and a nickname {Schimpfwort') of
the Suabians is blinde Schivab =or blind Suabian — even as puppies
are blind at birth.
Everything in ethnology is a conflict of difficulties ; and it
must not be concealed that a grave objection lies against the
identification of the Chatti and Suevi, in the fact that with the
ancient writers subsequent to Caesar, there is a mention of the Suevi
NOTES ON SECTION XXX. 107
as well as the Chatti, and in modern geography, there is a Suabia as
well as a Hesse.
1 believe that the difficulty is diminished by the § on the>SWvi in
the Upilegomena.
To the question, why did Csesar call the Catti Suevi? the
answers are of two kinds.
1. It may be said that the name had changed in the interval ;
either by the preponderance of a different branch of the Confedera-
tion, or by some other means.
2. It may be said that the two names belonged to different
languages, and that Suev- was the name by which the Chatti were
known to Caesar's informants, the Gauls ; just as the Kymry are
known to the English by the name of Welsh.
The latter view is the one adopted by the present writer.
That Suevi was- the Gallic name of the Germans of the Middle
Ehine, I feel certain. Whether it was exclusively Gallic, i.e.,
foreign to these same Germans themselves, will be considered in
the § just referred to.
2 Hereynio saltu.~\ — The language from whence the first notice of
the Hercynian range (whether of mountains or woods) was taken,
is probably the Keltic ; at least no derivation is so probable as the
one indicated by Zeuss — erchynn= elevated, erchynedd= elevations.
If so, the portion of the range to which it applied would be the
western, rather than the eastern extremity ; a matter of some im-
portance, since the fact of its having been first used by Greeks
would suggest the contrary notion. As it is, however, we must
suppose that the term reached Aristotle or his informants just as
the words Alp, Kelt, or Gaul (TdXaTai) did.
The Hercynian forest, as delineated by Csesar, only partially
follows the line of the Danube. There is, however, a tract in physi-
cal geography with which it coincides entirely. This is the system
of highlands or mountains, which forms the northern boundary
of the valley of the Danube. , Hence, from west to east, the line
of the southern limit of the tract in question runs from Baden
(Rauraci), where the river-system is that of the Rhine, along the
highlands of Wurtemburg (Decumates agri), Franconia, Bohemia,
Moravia, and Upper Hungary. Here the bend to the left (north)
takes place ; in other words, we have the long flat valley of the
Theiss (Tibiscus) intervening between the mountain-range and the
108 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Danube, instead of the smaller and -more elevated ones of the Naab
(in Bavaria), the March (in Moravia), and the Waag and Gran
(in Upper Hungary). After this, however, a second bend, not known
to Ceesar, takes place, and the forest-range, after encircling Hungary,
re-approaches the Danube in Transylvania.
Now the system of mountains which has taken us through
the countries enumerated, is as follows : — The highlands of the
Black Forest, the Bauhe Alpe (Abnoba mons), their continuation
to the Fichtel-Gebirge, the Bbhnierwald Gebirge (Gabreta silva),
the Wilde Gebirge (Hercynii montes), the Yablunka Gebirge {Luna
silva), the Carpathian mountains (Askiburgius mons), their southern
offset to the Danube (Sarmatici montes). Here the turn occurs ;
and the forest follows the eastern direction of the Carpathians, which,
after taking in the ancient maps the name of Alpes Bastarnicse,
approach the Danube, and divide Transylvania from Wallachia.
XXXI. Et aliis Germanorum populis usurpatum
rara. et privata cujusque audentia, apud Chattos in
consensum vertit, ut primum adoleverint, crinem bar-
bamque summittere, 1 nee, nisi hoste eseso, exuere vo-
tivum obligatumque virtuti oris habitum. Super
sanguinem et spolia, revelant frontem, seque " turn
deraura pretia nascendi retulisse, clignosque patria. ac
parentibus " ferunt. Ignavis et imbellibus manet
squalor. Fortissimus quisque ferreum insuper anulum
(ignominiosum id genti) velut vinculum gestat, donee
se csede hostis absolvat. Plurimis Chattorum hie placet
habitus. Jamque canent insignes, et hostibus simul
suisque monstrati : omnium penes bos initia pugna-
rum : base 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 :
donee exsanguis senectus tarn durse virtuti impares
faciat.
NOTE ON SECTION XXXI. 109
NOTE ON SECTION XXXI.
1 Crinem barhamque summittereJ] — The whole evidence of anti-
quity is to the abundant locks of the Germans, and to their yellow
hue. From the customs of some of the Frisian or Norse popu-
lation, especially that of the supposed Norse settlements of Mol-
querum and Hindelopen in Friesland, as they appear in the
twelfth and thirteenth centuries, it is probably that this golden or
flaxen hue was artificially heightened, i.e., by alkaline washes of
soda or potash ley. The likelihood of this must be borne in
mind when we consider the extent to which the present prepon-
derance of dark or brown hair amongst many Germanic popula-
tions is referable to a real change of colour ; inasmuch as it
possibly may be accounted for by the disuse of the habit of blanch-
ing it.
In all ethnological questions connected with the colour and
texture of the hair, the customs of the country, in respect to the
dressing of it, should be carefully attended to. Thus amongst the
islanders of more than one part of the South Sea and Indian
Ocean, where the hair is naturally jet-black, there is the practice
of washing the head in ash, or lime-water — which gives it a red
tinge. Hair, thus discoloured, has been described by excellent
writers as being red.
The population wherein really, and naturally, red hair prepon-
derates, is not German, but Ugrian ; the Votiak, and other Finns
of the Volga, being pre-eminently irvppot ; and, I think it likely
that when we hear of Germans being thus distinguished (i.e., as
red rather than yettoiv-h&'ired), these alkaline washes may have
had something to do with the epithet. Such are common. Silius
Italicus calls the Batavian " rufus Batavus." — iii. 608. More ex-
press still is the following extract from Galen : — Ovtmq yovv riveg
ovofxd^ovcn roi/g Vipfiavovg £avdovg, Kal toi yt ovk ovrag ^avOovg, idv
aKpi€(ii)c tiq ideXoi kolXew, dXkd ivvppovg.
That long hair was generally an honourable ornament, we infer
from its being amongst the Franks a sign of being a freeman ;
whereas, to have the hair clipped, was a degrading punishment. At
the same time, as this very passage implies, the German modes of
wearing it were various. Herodian mentions the tcovpd ruv Vep-
juaiw (iv. 7) ; and Seneca the rufus crinis et coactus in nodum apud
Germanos. — De Ira. c. 26.
110 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
XXXII. Proximi Chattis certum jam alveo Rhe-
num, quique terminus esse sufficiat, Usipii 1 ac Tencteri 2
colunt. Tencteri super solitum bellorum decus eque-
stris discipline arte prrecellunt. Nee major apud
Chattos peditum laus, quam Tencteris equitum. Sic
instituere majores, posteri imitantur. Hi lusus in-
fantium, haec juvenum aemulatio, perseverant senes :
inter familiam, et penates, et jura successionum, equi
traduntur: excipit films, non, ut cetera, maximus
natu, sed prout ferox bello et melior.
NOTES ON SECTION XXXII.
1 Usipii] — Another form of the word is Usip-et-es.
1 quite agree with Zeuss in his suggestion, that this -et, is the
Keltic sign of the plural, and that this is the reason why it occurs in
Caesar throughout, whilst in Tacitus, it is the prevalent reading only
once (Ann. i. 51).
Caesar's notice of the Usipii takes precedence of all others. He
places them on the Lower Rhine, making them conterminous (or
nearly so) with the Suevi, Sicambri, Tencteri, Ubii, and Bructeri.
The graver complications begin with the notice of Ptolemy. A
population with a name so like Usipii as Ov'iairoi, is placed by that
writer as far south as the frontier of the Helvetian Desert — that is,
we identify the two names. The necessity, however, for doing so is
doubtful. The name is, probably, Gallic.
2 Tencteri.'] — The history of the Tencteri is nearly that of the
Usipii, and vice versa.
Pressed by the Suevi (Chatti) they crossed the Rhine ; were defeated
by Caesar near the junction of the Maas ; and escaped, as a remnant,
by retracing their steps, and re-passing the Rhine to the country
of the Sigambri. A line drawn due east of Cologne, would pass
through the original country of the Ubii, Tencteri, and Usipii.
They were Germans (i.e., of the High German, or of the Platt-
Deutsch division) rather than Saxons or Frisians.
According to Dion and Floras, Drusus conquered the Tencteri
and Usipii on his way to the Chatti; the latter being on the northern
bank of the river Lippe. The complement to these two notes is
to be found in the Epilegomena, %Vispi.
NOTES ON SECTION XXXIII. Ill
XXXIII. Juxta Tencteros Bructeri 1 olim occur-
rebant : nunc Chainavos 2 et Angrivarios 3 immigrasse
narratur, pulsis Bructeris ac penitus excisis, vici-
narum consensu nationum, sen superbise odio, seu
prsedse dulcedine, seu favore quodam erga nos dec-
rum : nam ne spectaculo quidem proelii invidere ;
super lx. millia, non armis telisque Romania, sed,
quod magnificentius est, oblectationi oculisque cecide-
runt. Maneat quseso, duretque gentibus, si non amor
nostri, at certe odium sut : quando, urgentibus imperii
fatis, nihil jam prssstare fortuna majus potest, quam
hostium discordiam.
NOTES ON SECTION XXXIII.
1 Bructeri.'] — Probable German forms of this word would be, in
Anglo-Saxon Breochtware, in Old Saxon Briuchtuuari, in Frisian
Brjuchtwara.
My reason for believing that the syllable -eri, represents tbe second
element in a compound word, and that that word was -ware=inha-
bitants (as in Cantware=inhabitants of Kent) lies in the following
extract from Beda — " Sunt autem Fresones, Rugini, Dani, Huni,
antiqui Saxones, Boructuarii, sunt etiam alii perplures iisdem in
partibus populi, paganis adhuc ritibus servientes." — Hist. Ecclesiast.
v. 10. The same writer repeats the name more than once.
Perhaps the same may have been the case with the form
Tencteri=Tenctware. Be this as it may, notwithstanding the
contraction, the e in Bructeri is short. It is written with e in
Greek (BpovKrepoi), whilst in Latin we have the following lines of
Sidonius Apollinaris —
Toringus
Bructerus, ulvosa vel quern Nicer alluit unda
Prorumpit Francus. — Carm. vii. 324.
The utter excision (penitus excisis) of the Bructeri, is an over-
statement. Neither was their expulsion complete ; on the contrary,
it was very partial. This we learn from the subsequent notices of
the Bructeri, who are so far from being exterminated that they are
mentioned more than most other German tribes.
112 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Ptolemy divides them into the Bructeri Majores, and Bructeri
mmores (BovvctKrepot fiei^orec and Bovoaicrepoi iXdrrovEQ or /ULicpoi) ;
the Ems dividing them.
In Nazarius' panegyric to Constantine, in the beginning of the
fourth century, they are mentioned along with the Chamavi and
Cherusci, as nations whom it was glorious to have conquered.
Lastly, in the ninth and tenth centuries, we meet notices of the
pagus Borahtra — ] )a 9 us Bortergo — pagxus Borotra — -pagus Boractron,
and pagus Boratre, all meaning the same locality.
The following passage fixes it still closer — ''Bruno magnus
satrapa Saxonum cum nobili comitatu in provincia Boructuariorum
pernoctans in vico Ratingen . .; in quadam Boructuariorum villa
Velsenberg nomine." — Vita S. Swiberti ap. Leibn. i. 20, 21.
A line drawn from Munster to Cologne would pass through part
of the country of the Bructeri ; a country of which the outline seems
to have been very irregular.
They are on the confines of the Frisian, Old Saxon, and Platt-
Beutsch areas, and it is difficult to say to which they belonged. I
think the Old-Saxon places in -urn (if such there be) occur within
their area.
2 Chamavos.] — Ptolemy's form is Kalfxai.
The present town of Ham, in Westphalia, probably preserves the
name and fixes the original locality of the Chamavi.
But either the name or the people spread as far as the Rhine and
Ysel ; and the Chamavian and Salian Franks become mentioned
together. That the extension was real — i.e., that of the people, and
not merely of the import of the name — is probable. They have
already encroached on the Bruct-eri.
In the Tabula Peutingeriana we find chamavi qui elpranci.
Zeuss, reasonably, considers this to mean et phranci.
A tract of land, at the present day, extending down the Ysel to
the neighbourhood of Beventer, is called Hame-land ; and it is men-
tioned in early documents as " pagus Saxonise Hamalant — in Sutfeno
(South Fen=Zutphen) in pago Hameland — in Buisburg in pago
Hameland — in Bauindre (Beventer) in eodem pago Hameland —
abbatiam Altene juxta Bhenum flumen in pago Hamaland"
This implies a great displacement of Bructeri.
It had taken place before the reign of the Emperor Julian. —
Xaudtwv yap /nil fiovXofievwi' ahyvajov iari rr)v rfjeBpiravvLKfJQ vrjaov
NOTES ON SECTION XXXIII. 113
oiToiToiAtriav errl rot 'Piopdiitd (ppovpia c)ta7rf/i7rfo-0ai. — 'Y7rtce^,dpi]v /uev
fioipav tov ~Xa\i(ov 'itivovQ, Xafid€ovQ 8i i^fiXana. — Eunap. in Exc.Leg.
Ausonius makes the middle syllable long :
Accedent vires, quas Francia, quasque Chamaves
Germanique tremunt. — Mosella, 434.
The branch of the Germanic population to which the original
Chamavi belonged, was almost certainly the Old Saxon.
Amongst the obscurest of the traditionary heroes of the Westpha-
lian and Hanoverian Germans is Ham, whose Latinized name is
Ammitts. This Ammius may.,, or may not, have been the eponymus
of the Cham-ayi.
A shade is thrown over the common origin of the different Cham-
avi by the possibility of cham- being a geographical term ; in which
case it might apply to different populations, irrespective of ethnolo-
gical identity.
Ptolemy has, in the parts between the Danube and Thuringia, not
only a population called Uappai-tcdpiroi, but one called 'AEpagai-
Ka.jj.Tvoi also — a sure sign of the words being compound.
Now Zeuss tells us that he finds — and from the context his re-
mark either applies, or should apply, to this locality — in old docu-
ments not only a place called Cham, but Marcha Chambe* — p. 121.
Add to this the root Ham- in Ham-hurg. For the Chamavi as
colonists, see Epilegomena, § Chattuarii.
3 Angrivarios.~\ — This is a compound name ; the latter elements
being the ware in Cantware=occwpantfs, inhabitants.
The present town of Engern, near Herford, in Westphalia, the
supposed scene of Varus's defeat, probably preserves the name, and
fixes the locality of the Angri-varii. But the area was a wide one.
That this identity is not taken up on light grounds is shown by
the following extracts.
Generalis habet populos divisio ternos,
Insignita quibus Saxonia floruit olim ;
Nomina nunc remanent, virtus antiqua recessit.
Denique Westfalos vocitant in parte manentes
Occidua, quorum non longe terminus amne
A Pdieno distat : regionem solis ad ortum
Inhabitant Osterliudi, quos nomine quidam
* See Epilegomena, § Parmacampi.
I
114 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Ostvalos alio vocitant, confiuia quorum
Infestant conjuncta suis gens perfida Sclavi.*
Inter prreclictos media regione morantur
Angarii, populus Saxonum tertius ; horum
Patria Francorum terris sociatur ab austro,
Oceanoque eadem conjungitur ex aquilone.
Poeta Saxo ad an. 772.
The Ang-arii separated the East- and West-phalias.
Or, the Oster-liudi from the Wester-liudi.
Or, the East-Saxons from the West-Saxons, a German Essex from
a German We-ssex ; the Angrarii being, in reality, a German
Middlesex.
" Rex amne (Wisura) trajecto cum parte exercitus ad Ovacrum
fluvium contendit, ubi ei Hessi, unus e primoribus Saxonum cum
omnibus Ostfalais occurrens, et obsides, quos rex imperaverat, dedit
et sacramentum fidelitatis juravit. Inde regresso, cum in pagum
qui Bucki vocatur pervenisset, Angrarii cum suis primoribus occur-
rerunt, et sicut Ostfalai, juxta quod imperaverat, obsides ac sacra-
menta dederunt . . . Turn demum Westfalaorum obsidibus acceptis,
ad hicmandum in Francia revertitur." — Annal. Einhardi ad an. 775,
Pertz i. 155. "Tunc domnus Carolus . . . perrexit usque Obacrum
fluvium. Ibi omnes Austreleudi Saxones venientes cum Hassione,
et dederunt obsides . . . venerunt Angrarii (al. Angarii) in pago
qui dicitur Bucki una cum Brunone et reliquis optimatibus eorum
et dederunt ibi obsides, sicut Austrasii . . . Stragem ex eis fecit, et
praxlain multam conquisivit super Westfalaos, et obsides dederunt,
sicut et alii Saxones." — Annal. Lauriss. ad an. 775, Pertz i. 144.
The following forms approach the supposed modern equivalent
{Engem) closely ; " Anger i in orientali regione — Angaria occiden-
tal — Angari in pago Logni — Angeri in occidentali regione — An-
garia occidentali in pago Nithega — Angari in pago Leri." They
also prove the magnitude of the area.
They also verify the origin of the form Bruct-m out of the more
manifest compound Bruct-ware; as well as the supposed origin of
Tenct-ert out of Tenct-tvare.
The identity of the Angrivarian locality with Engern being a
point upon which much turns, these details have been given in full.
* Observe tbe early notice of the Western Slavonians.
NOTES ON SECTION XXXIV. 115
XXXIV. Angri varies et Chaniavos a tergo 1 Dul-
gibini 2 et Chasuari 3 cludunt, aliseque gentes liaud
perinde niemoratse. A fronte Frisii 4 excipiunt. " Ma-
joribus minoribusque 5 Frisiis" vocabulum est, ex moclo
virimn : utrseque nationes usque ad Oceanum Rheno
prsetexuntur, ambiuntque immensos insuper lacus, et
Romanis classibus navigates. Ipsum quinetiam Ocea-
num ilia tentavimus : et superesse adhuc Herculis
columnas fama vulgavit : sive adiit Hercules, seu quid-
quid ubique inagnificuni est, in claritatem ejus referre
consensimus. Nee defuit audentia Druso Germanico :
sed obstitit Oceanus in se simul atque in Herculem
inquiri. Mox nemo tentavit : sanctiusque ac reve-
rentius visum, de actis deorum credere, quam scire.
NOTES ON SECTION XXXIV.
1 A tergo Dulgibini et Chasuari.] — This must mean north (and,
perhaps, a little north-west) rather than due east or north.
A fronte Frisii — This must mean west (or north-west) ; and
to do this there must be a considerable irregularity and extension of
frontier on either one side or the other. This is rather forcing the
text.
At the same time it is all that is required ; and when we con-
sider that by allowing this we get —
a. The A ngri- varii in Engern,
b. The Cham-&\i in Hamm,
c. The Dulg-vfomi in Dulm-en ; and —
d. The Chas-u&vi on the Rase, it cannot well be considered too
much.
"Dulgibini. — In Ptolemy, AovXyovfxvwi. The word is, probably, a
compound ; although no satisfactory explanation of its elements has
been given. Zeuss suggests that the dulg-=ihe Icelandic dolgr=
enemy, dolg= struggle, Anglo-Saxon dolg, Old High German tolc ;
whilst the gibin is from the same root as the guber- in Guber-ni=
gambar—bold, the m being lost in the same way that the n of
standan is lost in studan.
T 9.
116 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
In respect to their locality, Ptolemy places them next to the
Aa.KKo€dpoot.
My own belief is that their name is preserved, and their locality
fixed by the present Westphalian town called Didmen — a form suf-
ficiently near Ptolemy's AovKyovuvLOL to be admitted.
3 ChasuarL] — Like Angri-varii a compound name, and, probably,
that of the occupants of the banks of the river Hase, especially the
parts about Hase-lunde.
Now there is another name so near that of the Ghas-uari that,
although not mentioned by Tacitus, it requires notice. It is that of
the Chatt-uarii.
The German form of this (a real and known form) was Heel-ware
=occupants of the country of Ghatti.
Strabo and Paterculus alone mention this people — Strabo as
XciTTov-dpioi, Paterculus as Attu-arii.
For a fuller notice of this question, and for the ylW-uarian colonies
see EpUegomena, § Chattuarii.
4 Frisii. — Except political importance, the Frisians have all the
elements of ethnological interest.
To the Dutchman and German they are deserving of attention,
because they represent the native Germanic type in its purest and
least modified form. Their fen localities have kept them from
intermixture of blood : they have also preserved for them, through
a long series of vicissitudes, a considerable amount of political in-
dependence.
The Scandinavian sees in the Frisian language, the Germanic
tongue most allied to his own ; the descendant of that Gothic
language out of which the Icelandic, or Old Norse, was developed.
To the Englishman they are of pre-eminent interest. The Fri-
sians of Heligoland are British subjects. But, besides this, there
is another series of facts.
a. The mother-tongue of the present English, the Anglo-Saxon,
is extinct on the Continent. It has been wholly replaced by a
High German dialect as the literary language, and by the Platt-
Deutsch as the speech of the country-people.
b. The sister-tongue to the Anglo-Saxon — the Old Saxon of
Westphalia — is similarly lost, and similarly replaced.
c. The tongue next to these, in the order of affinity, is the Frisian,
NOTES ON SECTION XXXIV. 117
a form of the Gothic speech nearer our own language than either
the Dutch of Holland, the Scandinavian dialects, or the High German.
In another new and peculiar point of view, the Frisians claim
notice. Their history is, to a certain extent, a physical history.
Many branches of the stem to which they belong "have been lopped
off by the hand of man, by war, by famine, by oppression bravely
withstood. But others have given way to a stronger and more
unconquerable power — that of Nature. It is the Frisian area that
most of the great inundations of the North Sea have broken in
upon. What Vesuvius has been to Campania, ./Etna to Sicily, Hecla
to Iceland, the Ocean has been to Frisia.
The proper complement to the ethnology of this branch, would
be the physical history of the North Sea ; and this is what Cle-
mens, the best investigator of the least known part of the family
— the North Frisians — has sketched.
The Frisians have ever been the people of a retiring frontier,
i.e., whilst others have encroached on their occupancies, they have
never, within the historical period, been successful invaders and
permanent aggressors elsewhere. Not, at least, by land. By sea,
the case may have been different ; so different, that in our own
island much that passes for Anglo-Saxon in origin may be Frisian ;
a matter to which a special notice has been dedicated.*
On the west the Ocean ; on the north the Danes and Low Ger-
mans ; on the south the Low Germans have been the encroachers.
The fact of the Frisians having thus suffered from encroach-
ment, rather than gained by aggression, has a practical bearing.
Frisian occupancy may be inferred from certain characteristics,
hereafter to be illustrated : and these characteristics we find in
localities far beyond the present Frisian area. Now, had the
Frisians been a family of conquerors, the inference would be that
the introduction was recent, and that, upon some earlier occupancy,
Frisian elements might have been engrafted. But as the truth is
the reverse of this ; as the Frisians have habitually retreated rather
than advanced, the conclusion is different ; and as Frisian n ames of
geographical localities — for of this sort are the characteristics in
question — may reasonably be assumed to denote Frisian occupancy
anterior to that of the present dominant population.
Of all the ancient names of German populations, the term Frisii
has been the most permanent. Less altered in form than Chatti, as
In the third edition of the English Language of the present writer.
118 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
compared to Hesse, and applied to the population of its original area,
it denotes the Frisii of Tacitus, the present Frieslanders of Friesland,
■with a minimum amount of alteration.
As to whether the name itself be German, it would be an unne-
cessary refinement to doubt it. Nevertheless, the criticism which
applies to the word Suevi is applicable to Frisii also. It is applied*
hie ; but, although applicable, it by no means follows that it should
be applied. By considering the term as Keltic a few difficulties re-
specting the connection between the Frisii and Chauci might, per-
haps, be removed. On the other hand, we have Pliny's word Frisia-
bones ; a compound almost certainly German.
The shadow of uncertainty that rests over the language to which
the root Fris- belongs, is created by the fact of the Frisii being
mentioned by Caesar, under the name now before us -. for Caesar's
informants were Gauls, and, I am inclined to think that, as a gene-
ral rule, the Gallic name of a Germanic population was different
from the native one.
Again ; the name of the national hero is so often the name of the
people who are addicted to his cultus — in other words, the national
hero is so often an eponymus to the nation — that when this is not
the case, a slight presumption is raised against the name being
indigenous, native, and vernacular. This is the case here. The
great mythological Frisian is Finn. We should expect some such
name as Fris.
Thus, in the Traveller's Song, we have —
" Fin Folc-walding
[Weold] Fresna cynne — "
or,
"Finn, the son of Folcwalda
(Ruled) the race of Frisians."
All this, however, may be, and probably is, over-refinement.
The later form which the word Frisii takes is one in -n-, the so-
called weak form of the Gothic grammarians. Hence, whilst Tacitus,
Pliny, Ptolemy, and Dion, write Frisii, Qplrrmoi, and (bpziaioi, Proco-
pius has fypieruoveg.
The Anglo-Saxon writers also use the form in -an ; e.g., Fresones
in Beda, and Frisan in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
The form Frisia-bon-es, in Pliny, has been already noticed. It is
clearly a compound. The power and original form of the second
NOTES ON SECTION XXXIV. 119
element is not so clear. Considering the nature of the Frisian
habitats, I believe it to represent the word veen=fen. This, however,
is but a guess.
The Frisian characteristic alluded to above is —
1. The great preponderance of compound words, ending in the
equivalent to the English -ham, and German -helm, — e.g., Threeking-
ham, Oppen-Aeim.
2. The peculiar form this element takes.
This is -urn, the h being omitted, and the vowel being u.
In Friesland itself so abundant are these compounds of -urn, that
two out of three (sixteen out of twenty-four) of the places noted in
the map within a few miles of Leeuwarden, end in that element. *
Zeeland. — Here but few words are compounded of the equivalent
to -ham and -heim at all ; perhaps none except the word Ritt/iem ;
which is in h and e.
Thus we have the two extremes; i.e., the Frisian topography at
its maximum in Friesland, and at its minimum in Zeeland.
Between these two extremes the following is the order of transition.
Groningen — Here the Frisian compound predominates, and that
with the Frisian form. In the arrondissement of Appingadam only,
we have eighteen names in -um.
In Groningen, however, we find occasion to mention another
Frisian characteristic — the omission of -n and -m at the end of
words. Hence, all true Frisian compounds of -man end in -ma ; as
Hette-mct and Halberts-ma ; whilst the numerous words that, in a
fen-country, are compounded of -dam, take such forms as the follow-
ing words in the arrondissement of Winschoten — Holwier-cZa (not
-dam), Utwier-c?a, &c.
Now in Winschoten, although the Frisian characteristic of the
final -a be carried to a great extent, the forms in -um are few. In
the next province —
Drenthe — they do not occur at all. But Drenthe, like Winschoten,
seems to be reclaimed land, and as such, the habitat of a population
less aboriginal than that of Friesland and Groningen.
Oberijssel. — a. Arrondissement of Zivolle. — Here we have three
compounds of h-m, viz. : Blanken-7iam, Windes-7ieim, and Wils-wm
— all three different ; one Saxon, one German, and one Frisian.
* The map referred to is Van Langenheuzen's, a.d. 1843 ; the scale being
a small quarto page to each Province. No topographical knowledge beyond
what is thus supplied is pretended to.
120 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
b. Arrondissement of Deventer. — One compound in -um, Hess-zm.
c. Arrondissement of Almelo. — Three compounds — Ootmars-wm;
Rent-wm, and Ross-?i,
Baldiks-wm, Yreks-um, Oevens-um, Midl-wm, Alkers-itm, Borgs-um,
Toft-urn, Klint-um, 01ds-«»i, Duns-?t»i.
b. In Sylt, Horn-urn, Mois-um, Arks-um, Keit-um, Tinn-wm — all
in the sotcthern half of the island.
c. In northern Homo, Toft-ww.
d. In Fano, none.
e. f. g. In Amrom (to the south of Sylt), in Pelvorm, and in Nord-
stant, none. Here the names are Platt-Deutsch.
If we now look back upon the distribution of local names in the
Cimbric peninsula, we shall find that —
a. There is a part purely Frisian, i.e., the parts between Tbndern
and Husum.
b. A part mixed with Danish, i.e., North Jutland.
c. A part mixed with Platt-Deutsch, i.e., Ditmarsh ; and, besides
these —
d. Parts where there is an intermixture of different degrees of
complexity of Frisian, Danish, and Platt-Deutsch.
Now in the parts about Husum, i.e., the parts where the endings
are most purely Frisian, the language is at the present moment
Frisian — the North Frisian so-called. I have heard it spoken,
and, imperfectly spoken it, myself this very year.
And in the islands of the North Sea, and many parts about it, there
either is North Frisian, or, has been so, within the memory of man.
And in Eydersted and Ditmarsh it has been so within the his-
torical period.
Is this Frisian new or old 1 Have the populations who speak it
encroached upon the other occupants of the peninsula or vice
versa ? The latter is the case. Some of the reasons for this state-
ment have already been given. They applied, however, only to the
relations between the Low Germans and the Frisians. Those of the
Danes require further notice.
I. The North Frisian language is no recent introduction. — a. It
falls into numerous dialects and sub-dialects. For the islands
NOTES ON SECTION XXXIV. 125
alone Clemens enumerates three, the Sylt, the Amrom, and the Fohr.
On the continent, each parish has its peculiar variety. Some of
these arise from intermixture of Danish and German ; but many
are quite independent of anything of the sort.
b. It is notably different from the Frisian of Holland. The two
forms, though mutually intelligible, are not very easily understood.
c. It is more like the Heligoland, than it is to the East or
West Frisian. This would not be the case if the colony were of
recent origin, unless we suppose that it was sent out from that small
island. If the two dialects represented colonies from some common
portion of the continent they would be more alike than they are.
II. The compounds in -um are all old names. — a. They are never
attached to such words as tjerke— church, &c.
b. Few (I am afraid to say no) Frisian terminations are attached
to Danish or German words. On the contrary, many complex Danish
and German compounds are formed from simpler Frisian ones.
III. The Danish has encroached upon the Frisian ever since the
beginning of the historical period. No instance of the reverse has
been recorded.
The evidence of the North Frisian having once been continuous
with the Frisian of Friesland and Westphalia, is satisfactory, the
displacement of it having taken place within the historical period ;
and its history is to be found in that of East Friesland, Oldenburg,
Delmenhorst, and Bremen.
Can we carry the Frisian as far as the Islands of the Baltic 1 ?
In Fyen, and in Sealand, there are one or two names in -um.
There is one direction, however, in which we may not carry it ;
or, rather, there is one direction in which we must be careful not
to carry it too far. This is that of the south-eastern parts of the
Sleswick peninsula. The oldest occupants here were Slavonians;
and the parts between Hamburg and Kiel, the Isle of Femern, the
Isle of Alsen, and the opposite coast, must be considered as Sla-
vonic in the first instance, Low German in the second, and Low
German and Danish together in the third.
The further extent of the original Frisian occupancy, the charac-
teristics of the Frisian tongue, and the relations of that tongue to
Scan dinavian, are considered in Epilegcmena, § ^ipaiai.
5 Majoribus minoribusque.'] — Two populations of Germany are
divided by more than one ancient writer into majores and minores
12G THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
— the Prisii (as here) and the Bructeri ; each falling into two divi-
sions so named.
Probably, this denotes that either from migration or conquest, the
continuity of the original area has been broken, and that whilst the
majores represent the main stock, the minores form the outlying
portion.
Neither name (notwithstanding the present text) necessarily
denotes size, since the great nation of the Visigoths was called
Gothi minores.
Populations other than German are so divided, e.g., the Scordisci.
XXXV. Hactenus in occidentem Germaniam no-
vimus. In septemtrionem ingenti flexu redit. Ac
primo statim Chaucorum gens, 1 quamquam incipiat
a Frisiis, ac partem litoris occupet, omnium, quas ex-
posui, gentium lateribus obtenditur, donee in Chattos
usque sinuetur. Tarn immensum terrarum spatium
non tenent tantiiin Chauci, sed et implent : populus
inter Germanos nobilissimus, quique magnitudinem
suam malit justitia tueri : sine cupiditate, sine impo-
tentia, quieti secretique, nulla provocant bella, nullis
raptibus aut latrociniis populantur. Idque prseci-
puum virtutis ac virium argumentum est, quod,
ut superiores agant, non per injurias adsequuntur.
Prompta tamen omnibus arma, ac, si res poscat, exer-
citus i plurimum virorum equorumque : et quiescenti-
bus eadem fama.
NOTE ON SECTION XXXV.
1 Chaucorum gens.] — The Ch, probably, represents the guttural
ch of the Germans, as in audi, nock. In Greek it is X.
That one of the letters c is aspirated is nearly certain. The only
form where the k or its equivalent is wholly wanting, is in some MSS.
(KavKoi) of Strabo.
The forms with the first c aspirated (Chauci, XavKot) are to be
found in Pliny, Tacitus, Suetonius.
NOTE ON SECTION XXXV. 127
Those with the second c aspirated (Cauchi, Kav%oi) occur in
Velleius Paterculus, Spartianus, Ptolemy.
Dion Cassius has both forms Xcivkiq and Kad^ot.
Lucan and Glaudian divide the vowels and make them trisyllabic.
This division of the vowels is of some importance in the history of
ethnological conjecture, since it brings the forms Caijci and Caiici to
a resemblance with the KuovXkoi of Strabo, and then with the Chabilci.
The Chauci fell into two divisions — the Chauci minores between
the Ems and Weser, the Chauci majores between the Weser and Elbe.
It is safe to identify them with the Hoc-ingas of the Traveller's
Song and Beowulf — the termination -ing being a patronymic, the
-as the sign of the plural number, and the ch in Chauci equivalent
to h in the same way that Ch—H in Ghatti and Hesse.
It is safe, too, to consider the Chauci as members of the Frisian
section of the Gothic stock.
In the battle of Finnesburh, Hnoef, the eponymus of the Hano-
verians, the son of Finn, the son of Folcwalda, has, as his queen,
Hildeburg, the Hoc-ing. I do not consider that this gives us any-
thing historical. All that it does is to connect the Chauci and
Frisii (Hoc-ings and Frisians) by certain political relations ; and
carry the area of their legendary localities as far as Hanover and
Hildesheim.
Considerable difficulties are involved in the statement that the
Chauci extended as far as the frontier of the Chatti ; difficulties turn-
ing upon the relationship between the Old Saxon and the Anglo-
Saxon languages.
If we join the Chauci and Chatti, we do one of two things ; we
either —
a. Disconnect the country of the Old-Saxons of Westphalia from
that of the Anglo-Saxons : or else we —
b. Enclose two such important populations as the Old Saxons and
Anglo-Saxons within too small an area.
Two other points connected with the ethnography of the Chauci
still stand over.
1. The discrepancy between Tacitus and Pliny as to their physical
and political condition. What Tacitus says may be seen in the
text. It is much the same as Velleius Paterculus had said before : —
" Receptse Cauchorum nationes ; omnis eorum juventus, infinita
numero, immensa corporibus, situ locorum tutissima, traditis armis
. . ante imperatoris procubuit tribunal."
128 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Pliny's evidence, however, differs : — " Sunt in septemtrione visre
nobis Chaucorum (gentes) Vasto ibi nieatu, bis dierum
noctiumque singularuin intervallis, effusus in irnniensuui agitur
Oceanus, aeternam operiens rerum naturce controversiam ; dubi-
umque terrse sit, an parte in maris. Illic misera gens tumulos
obtinet altos aut tribunalia structa manibus ad experirnenta altis-
simi aastus, casis ita impositis, navigantibus similes, cum integant
aquas circumdata, naufragis vero, cum recesserint : fugientesque
cum mari pisces circa tuguria venantur. Non pecudem his habere,
non lacte ali, ut finitimis, ne cum feris quidem dimicare contingit,
omni procul abacto frutice. Ulva et palustri junco funes nectunt ad
prostexenda piscibus retia : captumque manibus lutum ventis magis
quam sole siccantes, terra cibos et rigentia septemtrione viscera sua
urunt. Potus nonnisi ex imbre servato scrobibus in vestibulo
domus. Et hae gentes, si vincantur hodie a populo Romano, servire
se dicunt. Ita est profecto : multis fortuna parcit in poenam." — xvi. 1.
The explanation of this difference in the way of testimony, lies in
the likelihood of the Chauci of the lowest fen levels, exposed to
malaria, exposed to inundations, and exposed to piracy, being a
miserable race as compared with those of the higher and more inland
country ; a view which reconciles both statements. But it also sup-
plies a reason against carrying the Chauci too far inland. Probably,
the Confederation was wider than the nation.
In the more marshy parts of Eydersted, Ditmarsh, and Sleswick,
the reclaimed lands, with their embankments, are called Koge.
This is, possibly, the Chauc- in Chauci. If so, the Koge were the
lands of the Hoc-ings, and Tacitus has given us the name of the
country rather than of the people, the Germans that of the people
rather than the land. This, again, is a reason against carrying the
area of the Proper Chauci too far inland.
XXXVI. In latere Chaucorum Chattorumque, Che-
rusci 1 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.
NOTES ON SECTION XXXVI. 129
Ita qui olim " boni sequique Cherusci," nunc " inertes
ac stulti" vocantur: Chattis victoribus fortuna in sa-
pientiam cessit. Tracti ruina Cheruscorum et Fosi,'-'
contermina gens, adversarum rerum ex aequo socii,
cum in secundis minores fuissent.
NOTES ON SECTION XXXVI.
1 Cherusci.~\ — The first great fact in the history of the Cherusci is,
that they were the confederates of Arminius, and the conquerors of
Varus.
The next is that they withstood the aggressions of their own
countrymen as steadily as they did those of Rome.
The Cherusci are mentioned by Caesar, and mentioned as the
hereditary enemies of the Suevi. The Cherusci, too, it was who
first checked the conquests and consolidations of Maroboduus.
We may look upon the Cherusci * as the heads of a great confeder-
ation, not only on the strength of their history, but on the evidence
of ancient writers, e.g., Strabo, ol XrjpoiicjKoi km ol tovtwv vizi)kooi
— Tacitus, " Cherusci, sociique eorum."
If so, the import of the name may fluctuate, and sometimes mean
a particular people, sometimes serve as a collective designation, in-
cluding several such smaller divisions. This assumption eases many
difficulties — perhaps, indeed, it is absolutely necessary. We hear so
continually of great nations, like the Chatti, Cherusci, Sigambri and
others, being conterminous, that, if we take the texts wherein such
notices occur literally, we leave no room for several minor nations or
tribes.
Thus, in the present instance, there are special statements which
bring the Cherusci —
a. As far south as the Chatti.
b. As far north as the Chauci.
c. As far west as the Sicambri.
What room does this leave for such populations as the Chamavi,
Angrivarii, Fosi, &c. 1 Little, if any ; especially if we bring in
* The full import of the Cheruscan resistance to Rome, the value of the
patriotism of Arminius, and the extent to which the Cheruscan glory is as
much English as German, are well developed in Professor Creasy's " The
Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World," foremost amongst which he places
the defeat of the legions of Varus.
K
130 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
other passages which connect the previous populations with each
other — e.g., there is the statement of Tacitus, that the Chauci and
Chatti joined — " donee in Chattos usque sinuetur."
Considerations of this kind justify us in believing that, when cer-
tain great nations are spoken of as acting a conspicuous part in
history, certain minor ones may be included in the general name.
Hence, I believe that when the Cherusci are spoken of in general
history, the Chamavi and Angrivarii are included! in one of the two
denominations ; and the words are used in a political sense. The
ethnological, and narrower sense of the words, occurs only when the
details of the geography or history require separation and speci-
fication.
The country of the Proper Cheruscans was bounded on the west
by the Angri-varii ; for I suppose Engem, near Herford — the
traditionary battle-field of the Arminian victory — to represent that
name.
To the south-west of the Angrivarii lay the Chamavi — Hamm
being, again, supposed to retain their designation.
On the north-east we may probably carry the Proper Cheruscans
as far as the Hartz. For this, however, see Epilegomena, § Harudes.
It is now time to inquire whether the Cherusci and their allies
represented an ethnological section of the Germanic populations as
they, certainly, did a political one. The answer to this is in the
affirmative. Without committing ourselves to the doctrine that the
Cheruscan league exactly coincided with the Cheruscan form of the
German language, we may safely say that such was nearly the case.
r If so, the Cherusci are of the same ethnological importance with the
Frisians.
Of the Saxon division of the German dialects as opposed to the
Platt-Deutsch and High German, and of the Saxon nationalities as
opposed to the Frank, Alemannic, and Gothic, Lombard and Bur-
gundian, the Cherusci are the southern representatives.
Of the Cherusci, in the wide sense of the term, the north and
north-western members appear in the eighth century under the
name of Old Saxons, this meaning the Saxons of the continent, or
the mother-country, in opposition to the Saxons of England, or
Anglo-Saxons.
If the Cherusci of Tacitus and the earlier writers be the Saxons of
Beda and later ones, how comes it that the one name never appears
in the classical, and the other never in the German writers ? Cassar,
NOTES ON SECTION XXXVI. 131
Strabo, Velleius Paterculus, all speak of the Cherusci, and all say
nothing about the Saxons. Ptolemy, as is well known, is the first
writer who mentions them. On the other hand Claudian is the last
writer in whom we find the word Cherusci.
venit accola silvse
Bructerus Hercynia?, latisque paludibus exit
Cimber, et ingentes Albin liquere Cherusci.
Consul, iv. Honor. 450.
As long as we have the Cherusci there are no Saxons. As soon
as we meet with the Saxons the Cherusci disappear.
If we wish to cut the Gordian knot, we can have recourse to the
assumption of migration and displacement — in which the Old Saxons
cease to be the descendants of the Cherusci and their allies, and re-
present a new and intrusive population as foreign to the old Che-
ruscan country of Germany as they were to that of the Britons.
There are certain texts that encourage this view, e.g., the present
notice of the fallen state of the Cherusci and Fosi is in favour of their
being easily displaced and superseded by some more flourishing im-
migrants.
Valeat quantum. It only does half the business. It only extin-
guishes the Cherusci. The presence and preponderance of the
Saxons it leaves unexplained.
The full import of this must be admitted.
a. The Saxons, which by assumption are supposed to replace the
Cherusci, cannot be got from the country of the Chatti. The Chatti
were High Germans.
b. Nor yet from that of the Chauci. The majority of the Chauci
were Frisians.
c. Nor yet from that of the Lower Rhine. The language here
was Platt-Deutsch.
More than this — they could not have come from any small or in-
considerable country at all, from none of the nooks or corners
between the Great Frisian, Platt-Deutsch, High German, and Sla-
vonic areas. The differences between the Anglo-Saxon and Old
Saxon dialects, show that the common language was spoken over a
large tract of ground, and that for a considerable length of time.
The assumption of a Saxon immigration into the Cheruscan terri-
tory, is not only gratuitous, but it engenders as many difficulties as
it removes.
132 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
In ordinary cases I should resort at once to the supposition that
the two names belonged to different languages, and repeat the
reasoning that applied to Chatti and Suevi. To do this, however,
here, requires grave consideration : so good a case can be made out
on both sides for the indigenous and native character of the name.
Both Gkerusci and Saxo seem to be German words — one as German
as the other.
Reasons, however, against admitting loth to be German, and —
Reasons for choosing the former instead of the latter, Cherusci
rather than Saxones, will be found in the Epilegomena, §§ Saxons
and Harudes.
In the term Cherusci, in its wider sense, I include, as may partly
be anticipated, the following populations : —
1. The Angrivarii.
2. The Chamavi.
3. The Dulgibini.
4. The Fosi.
5. The Chasuarii.
2 Fosi.] — Probably occupants of the banks of the river Fuse, or
the parts about the town of Celle.
XXXVII. Eumdem Germanise situm proximi Oce-
ano Cimbri x tenent, parva nunc civitas, sed gloria
ingens : veterisque famae late vestigia 2 manent, utraque
ripa castra, ac spatia, quorum ambitu nunc quoque
metiaris molem manusque gentis, et tam magni ex-
ercitus fidem. Sexcentesimum et quadragesimum
annum Urbs nostra agebat, cum primum Cimbrorum
audita sunt arnia, Csecilio Metello ac Papirio Carbone
consul ibus. Ex quo si ad alterum Imperatoris Tra-
jani consulatum computemus, ducenti ferme et decern
anni colliguntur : tamdiu Germania vincitur. Medio
tam longi sevi spatio, multa invicem damna. Non
NOTES ON SECTION XXXVII. 133
Samnis, non Poeni, non Hispanic, Galliseve, ne Parthi
quidem ssepius admonuere: quippe regno Arsacis
acrior est Germanorum libertas. Quid enim aliud
nobis, quam csedem Crassi, amisso et ipse Pacoro,
infra Ventidium dejectus Oriens objecerit? At Ger-
mani Carbone, et Cassio, et Scauro Aurelio, et Ser-
vilio Csepione, Cn. quoque Manlio fusis vel captis,
quinque simul consulares exercitus populo Romano,
Varum, tresque cum eo legiones, etiam Csesari abs-
tulerunt : nee impune C. Marius in Italia, divus Julius
in Gallia, Drusus ac Nero et Germanicus in suis eos
sedibus perculerunt. Mox ingentes C. Caesaris minse
in ludibrium versa?. Inde otium, donee occasione
discordise nostra; et civilium armorum, expugnatis
legionum hibernis, etiam Gallias affectavere : ac rursus
pulsi inde, proximis temporibus triumpliati magis
quam victi sunt.
NOTES ON SECTION XXXVII.
1 Cimbri.] — A measure of the scantiness of satisfactory evidence
as to the Cimbro-Teutonic war may be collected from Niebuhr. For
the defeat of Cn. Papirius Carbo, near Noreia, in 113 B.C., he quotes
Appian and the Epitome Liviana ; for their actions with M. Junius
Silanus, and M. Aurelius Scaurus, he regrets that Livy is wanted,
and that a writer so late as Zonaras, is his best authority. Floras,
Eutropius, and Orosius supply the next best data. All, however,
derive their materials from Livy — himself a writer one hundred and
fifty years after the event. But we may go farther than this, and by
turning to the life of Marius see the confusion into which Plutarch
falls, and the speculation in which he indulges.
Beyond this lies the consideration of the writers anterior to the
time of Livy. Valerius Antias is especially quoted by Orosius ; and,
of all writers, Valerius Antias is the least to be trusted.
The most naked statements of facts is as follows : —
A.D. 113. — The Cimbri defeat the consul Papirius Carbo, near
Noreia in Styria.
A.D. 109— 107.— The Cimbri, Tigurini, and Ambrones defeat
134 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
M. Junius Silanus, L. Cassius Longinus, and M. Aurelius Scaurus,
in Roman Gaul, at some place unknown.
A.D. 105. — The same defeat Cn. Manlius and Q. Servilius
Cospio.
A.D. 102. — The Teutones are defeated by Marius near Aix in
Provence.
A.D. 101. — The Ciinbri, Tigurini, Arnbrones, and Teutones are
defeated by Marius in the Tyrol.
But, as the general character of an historical transaction may be
known even where the details are forgotten, there are still points
upon which the great writers of the close of the republic may be
consulted.
Now what did Ccesar consider their ethnological affinities to be ?
Gallic. Sallust 1 Gallic. Velleius Paterculus 1 Gallic. It is only
the later writers that carry their origin north of Gaul.
But the Teutones are German at least. It is the same word as
Deut-sch. The preliminaries to this question are to be found
in not. in v. Germania.
It is an undoubted fact that writers as early as Virgil, Lucan,
Juvenal, and Martial, use the epithet Teutonicus : and when they
do so they mean after the fashion of Teutons.
But it is no undoubted fact that they mean thereby German.
They mean of or belonging to the xvell-hiown enemy conquered by
Marius, without defining the country of that enemy.
It is also an undoubted fact that writers of the tenth century use
the epithet Teutonicus as equivalent to German, i.e., as another form
of Theotiscus.
This, however, is after (and not before) the word Theotiscus has
been used for Germanus.
In other words, the epithet Teutonicus, although really a deriva-
tive of Teutones, passes for another form of Tkeot-iscus, or as a
derivative from Theot- or Diot-, and so becomes a name for the Ger-
mans, simply because Theotisci had been a name for them before.
But Theotisci was no name for the Germans until the tenth cen-
tury, about one thousand years after the first use of the word
Teuton.
To take a measure of the magnitude of this paralogism, let
us suppose an advocate for the Belgic origin of the Lowland
Scotch, to argue in the following manner : — Belg- and vulg-
are similar words ; therefore the Vulgar tongue, and the Belgic
NOTES ON SECTION XXXVII. 135
tongue are the same ; therefore the Belgce are Vulgares. This is
no caricature. Mutatis mutandis, the argument alluded to runs —
Teut-on and Dut-ch are similar words ; therefore the Dutch tongue
and the Teutonic tongue are the same ; therefore the Teutones are
Deutsche.
The doctrine of the present writer concerning the ethnology of
these two populations was laid before the Philological Society as far
back as 1844 ; and the article in which it is exhibited, is re-printed
at the end of the present volume, which supersedes the necessity of
a long note.
The chief addition that he would make to the quotations and
references there found is the following extract from the Marmor
Ancyranum : — " cimbeique et chaeudes et semnones et eiusdem
TEACTUS ALII GEBMANOEUM POPULI PEE LEGATOS AMICITIAM MEAM ET
POPULI EOMANI PETIEEUNT."
This, combined with the fact of a country so far east as Styria,
being the point whereon they fought their first battle, has suggested
the possibility of their having been Gauls in the same way as the
language of the Gothini was Gallic, i.e., not at all, but Slavonians
instead ; a fact which would well account for the difficulty of
definitely fixing them in any part of Gallia.
Nay — they may be Germans. At any rate, if one of the two
populations must be Gothic, the claim is the strongest for the
Cimbri — so utterly worthless is the argument from the word Deut-sch.
The Cimbri are, at least, near enough the Semnones to be their allies ;
just as the Semnones were near enough the Germanic territory of
Maroboduus to have belonged to his empire.
2 Veteris famce — vestigia.~\ — The disbeliever of the existence of
either Cimbri or Teutones in Germany, sees in this statement merely
an inference. Certain monuments (perhaps Gravhoie, Ting-stene
or other similar well-known antiquities of the so-called Cimbric
Chersonese) required explanation. The Roman antiquaries (for it
must be remarked that the text gives us no hint that this view was
native) referred them to the populations in question.
13G THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
XXXVIII. Nunc de Suevis 1 dicendum est, quorum
non una, ut Chattorum Tencterorumve, gens : majorem
enim Germanise partem obtinent, propriis adliuc na-
tionibus nominibusque discreti, quamquam in com-
mune Suevi vocentur. Insigne gentis obliquare cri-
nem, nodoque substringere. Sic Suevi a ceteris
Germanis: sic Suevorum ingenui a servis separantur.
In aliis gentibus. seu cognatione aliqua Suevorum,
seu (quod same accidit) imitatione, rarum et intra
juventse spatium; apud Suevos, usque ad canitiem,
horrentem capillum retro sequuntur, ac same in ipso
solo vertice religant : principes et ornatiorem habent :
ea cura formse, sed innoxisc. Neque enim ut anient
amenturve ; in altitudinem quamdam et terrorem,
adituri bella, compti, ut h ostium oculis, ornantur.
NOTE ON SECTION XXXVIII.
1 Szievis.~] — The preliminaries to this note, are the note (on the
Chatti) and the xv. section of the Prolegomena.
The Suevi of Tacitus lie east of those of Caesar, since they nowhere
reach the Rhine ; in other words, the Suevi of Tacitus begin where
those of Caesar ended. This follows from the separation of Suevi
from the Chatti — a separation not made by Caesar. Tacitus requires
two areas — one for ^the one population, the other for the other ;
Caesar allows us to place both within the same.
The Suevi of Tacitus extended from the eastern frontier of the
Chatti as far as the Elbe, at least ; probably further.
As far as the Suevi of Tacitus coincide with the Hermunduri and
Chatti, they are German. Beyond this they are Slavonians.
The term Suevicum mare, applied to a part of the Baltic, is re-
ferable to a different origin than the Suevia=Suabia of south-
western Germany. — Vid. not. in v.
See also EjAlegomena, § Suevi.
NOTE ON SECTION XXXIX. 137
XXXIX. " Vetustissimos se nobilissimosque Sue-
vorum" Semnones 1 memorant. Fides antiquitatis, re-
ligione firmatur. Stato tempore in silvam, auguriis
patrum et prisca formidine sacram, omnes ejusdem
sanguinis populi legationibus coeunt, csesoque publice
homine celebrant barbari ritus horrenda priniordia.
Est et alia luco reverentia. Nemo nisi vinculo li-
gatus ingreditur, ut minor, et potestatem numinis prse
se ferens: si forte prolapsus est, attolli et insurgere
haud licitum : per humum evolvuntur : eoque omnis
superstitio respicit, tamquam 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.
NOTE ON SECTION XXXIX.
1 Semnones.] — Velleius Paterculus makes the Semnones conter-
minous with the Hermunduri, from whom they are separated by the
Elbe — "ad flumen Albim, qui Semnonum Hermundurorumque fines
prseterfluit." — ii. 106.
For reasons for believing the Albis of Paterculus to be the Saale,
see p. 148.
This gives their western limit. In the east Ptolemy carries them
/xt'xpt tov %ovri£ov Trorafxov, and makes them conterminous with the
Silingi on the south — •koXlv vtto fxsv tovq ^ejAvovag oikovgl %l-
Xiyyai.
Now Silingi=Silesia.
If so the area of the Semnones was, as near as possible, the present
country of Saxony : and of the Slavonians of that country, I believe
them to have been the Slavonic ancestors.
Strabo mentions the Semnones amongst the subjects of Marobo-
duus — Kcu to TiiJv %ovij£idv aiirdiv fieya edvog ^efivajvag.
At the beginning of the historical period of the populations
between the Saale and Elbe, the chief nation is that of the Sorabi, a
138 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
name which appears as Surabi, Suurbi, Siurbi, Surpe, Surfe, Surbi,
Urbii, the country being Surabia and Suirbia.
This name is native and Slavonic, as we learn from such forms as
Zrib-in and Zirb-in ; the -n being the adjectival affix.
It is a native name of great generality, since it represents the
same root as the %wop- in the name %ir6poi, applied by Procopius
to the south-eastern Slavonians, and the S-rv in Servia, the 2,ep€-
in the ^ep€\oi of Constantine Porphyrogenita.
The still-existing Slavonians of Upper Lusatia call themselves
Srbje.
But that they extended as far west as the Saale, is shown by the
following extract, one out of many similar. " Sorabi Sclavi, qui
cavipos inter Albim et Salam interjacentes incolunt, in fines Thurin-
gorum et Saxonum, qui eis erant contermini, prrcdandi causa in-
gressi." — Ann. Einh. ad an. 782, Pertz i. 163.
The Surpe were known to Alfred.
The Sorabian Slavonic language was spoken in Leipsic till
a.d. 1327.— Schaffarik, p. 480.
In geographical, or else in political continuity, with the Sorabian
Slavonians were the Dahminci, the Siusli, the Milcieni (for the parts
about Bautzen), the Lusici (of Lusatia), and to the south-east the
descendants of the %i\iyyai of Ptolemy, in the century called Sleenz-
ane, and in the present Schliesen=Silesians.
Such seem to have been the descendants of the Semnones and the
more eastern Suevi of Tacitus.
XL. Contra Langobardos 1 paucitas nobilitat : plu-
rimis ac valentissimis nationibus cincti, non per obse-
quium, sed proeliis et periclitando tuti sunt. Reu-
digni 2 deinde, et Aviones, 3 et Angli, 4 et Varini, 5 et
Eudoses, 6 et Suardones, 7 et Nuithones, 8 fluminibus aut
silvis muniuntur : nee quidquam notabile in singulis,
nisi quod in commune Hertlium, 9 id est, Terram ma-
trem colunt, eamque intervenire rebus hominum, in-
vehi populis, arbitrantur. Est in insula 10 Oceani " ca-
NOTES ON SECTION XL. 139
stum nemus, dicatum in eo vehiculum, veste contectum,
attingere uni sacerdoti concession. Is adesse pene-
trali deam intelligit, vectamque bobus feminis multa
cum veneratione prosequitur. Lseti tunc dies, festa
loca, qusecumque adventu hospitioque dignatur. Non
bella ineunt, non arma sumunt, clausum omne fer-
rum ; pax et quies tunc tantum nota, tunc tantum
amata, donee idem sacerdos satiatam conversatione
mortalium deam templo reddat : mox vehiculum et
vestes, et, si credere velis, numen ipsum secret© lacu
abluitur. Servi ministrant, quos statim idem lacus
haurit. Arcanus hinc terror, sanctaque ignorantia,
quid sit id, quod tantum perituri vident.
NOTES ON SECTION XL.
1 Langobardos.] — " Longobardos vulgo ferunt nominatos a prolixa,
barbd et nunquam tonsa." — Isidor. Hispal. Origg. ix. 2. "Certum
est, Longobardos ab intactse ferro barbce longitudine, cum primitus
Winili dicti fuerint, ita postmodum appellatos ; nam juxta illorum
linguam lang longam hart barbam significat." — Paul. Diacon. i. 9 .
This is tbe etymology which was first received, and which is, per-
haps, most generally credited. I do not know who first suggested
the idea that the -bard in Lango-5ard was the bart ' in hal-bert and
par^-izan, the name of warlike weapons ; but in such a case, the
Langobardi are not the Long-beards but the Halberdiers.
In the choice between these etymologies, it must be remembered,
that of the two, the former was particularly likely to mislead a
writer in the Latin language, on account of the similarity between
the Latin barba and the German bart.
Again, it must be remembered that, in Beowulf and the Traveller's
Song, we meet with the compound HeaJ?o-beardan ; hedpo- being a
prefix adapted to a warlike weapon, but not to a beard.
The habit of the Chatti crinem barbamque summittere (see § xxxi.),
has been quoted in favour of translating bart by beard. In my
mind, it goes the other way : since, if the habit of letting the beard
grow were common amongst so large a population as the Chatti,
the Lombard habit would have been the rule rather than the excep-
140 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
tion, and, as such, have failed in attracting notice, or developing a
name.
Ptolemy's notice of the populations whose name end in -bard
(and in Ptolemy there are two such) introduces a difficulty.
He first places Langobardi (Aay yotdpcoC) west and south of the
Anglian Suevi (2ov?/£ot ol \Ayyei\ot), these latter being on the
Middle Elbe.
Afterwards he places AaKKotdploi between the Chauci Majores
and the Suevi ; conterminous with the Angrivarii and Dulgubini
(AuvXyov pvwi).
This complication may, possibly, appear unimportant ; so that
the inquirer may, perhaps, think himself justified in disposing of it
at once by assuming either an error in the reading, or an oversight
in the author. Possibly, this view is right. Nevertheless, it is by no
means necessarily so. The word in question is a compound, of which
the qualifying element comes first. Hence, it is far from impossible
that whilst Langobai di means men with bards (beards or halberts, as
the case may be) of one sort, Ldkkobardi may mean men with bards
(beards, &c.) of another. True it is that the elements Lang- and
Lakh- are suspiciously alike ; neither can any satisfactory meaning be
given to the latter word. Nevertheless, the inference of their being
the same word is far from conclusive. Compound words may be
alike and yet different ; as are Wessex and Essex.
Zeuss gives a full, perhaps an excessive, import to this difference,
considering that the Lakkobardi were not only the subsequent con-
querors of Italy under Alboin (which the Langobardi were not)
but that Ptolemy knowingly and intentionally distinguished between
the two — " Diese %ovT]£oi konnen also nicht mit den Langobarden,
den Eroberern Italiens, verwechselt werden ; Ptolemaeus selbst,
scheint es, will sie unterschieden wissen, dass er diese, die schon in
getrennten Sitzen aufgestellt sind, obwohl ihr name derselbe ist,
auch verschieden AaKKoSdploi benennt." — p. 95.
Again — " Mit den 'Sovrjgoi Aayyotdphoi des Ptolemseus diirfen
nicht verwechselt werden seine AaKKotdpEoi, &c." — p. 109.
It is doubtful, however, whether Ptolemy's own text requires this
distinction to be thus stringently insisted on, i.e., if we take the
Angri-varii to be the centre for our inquiries, and admit Engern to
represent their locality. — See § xxxiii.
Thus — a. The Suevi Langobardi are conterminous with the
Bructeri Minores (BowdKrepoi ol ym-poi) and the Sigambri. Of
NOTES ON SECTION XL. 141
these, they lie to the soiith, and a very little extension westwards
will carry their frontier up to that of the Angri-varii.
b. Now it is the Angrivarii which the AaKKo€apcoi succeed : the
Angrivarian area being the only one which separates the two
Langobards.
Still both the interruption and the difference of form must be
taken as they are found ; and explained rather than denied.
In Staffordshire, and many other parts of England, syllables
ending in -ing, are pronounced ingk. Suppose this to have been the
case with some dialect in Germany, from which the notice of a
people called Langobardan was derived. The sound would then be
Langk-o-bardan. To a Greek no way of spelling this would be more
natural than by -kk- ; since it was by -yy- that he already spelt the
sound of -rig.
The Langobardi of Velleius are essentially those of Ptolemy,
i.e., Northern Germans — " Receptee Chaucorum nationes . . . fracti
Langobardi, gens etiam Germana feritate ferocior ; denique . . .
usque ad flumen Albim. Romanus cum signis perductus exercitus."
— ii. 106.
So are those of Tacitus — although they follow the Suevi in the
order of description, they are connected with the undoubtedly
northern Angli, &c.
It is safe, then, to say that the Langobard area was either discon-
tinuous and interrupted, or else exceedingly sinuous and irregular in
outline.
It is not so easy to account for this.
a. If it were certain that b-rd=beard ; and —
6. If it were also certain that the length of beard was a charac-
teristic of the Chatti, it would be fair to consider them as an intrusive,
conquering, immigrant portion of that people — i.e., High Germans
within the Saxon area.
But as neither of these points is certain, the relations of the
Langobards are uncertain also.
They may either be intrusive ax fragmentary.
a. Intrusive. — If they be this, the population from which they
originated may be either the High Germanic Chatti, or the Low
German Sicambri.
b. Fragmentary. — If this, they may represent Saxons whose area
has been encroached on.
They may be many other things besides.
142 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
The evidence of Tacitus makes them a small nation. Now there
is the shade of an objection to this. Helmoldus (i. 2G) mentions the
Bardi ; whilst in the neighbourhood of Liineburg, so far north and
east as even the Elbe, there is a district called Barden-gowe, and a
town called Barden-wik.
Account for the element Bard- by supposing the Lango-Jarc/s to
have given the name, and the nation becomes a large one ; so large
as to reach from Engern to Liineburg. Good writers — perhaps the
best — have done this. Yet the termination -bard alone, minus the
prefix, scarcely seems to warrant the inference.
Far more important is the question as to the relation which the
Langobards who concpaered Italy, and gave their name to Lombardy,
bore to these northern Langobards — the neighbours of the Angri-
varii and Angli, but this is the subject of a separate notice.*
2 Reudigni.~\ — See note in v. Nuithones. The same error which
Tacitus is supposed to have made with the Nuithones, he is supposed
to make with the Rexidigni. He mistakes the first letter of their
names. Reudigni, according to Zeuss, is for Teut-igni, or Teidingi.
But these Teutings are not exactly the Teut-ones, but the Teutonarii ;
mentioned by Ptolemy as a different tribe — Mera^v %alovwv le. Kal
twv 2ou//6W TtvTovodpoi Kal Ovipovvoi, -, is the participle of the verb hauan.
* See Epilegomena, § Langobards of Lombardy.
NOTES ON SECTION XL. 143
2. The KoGavtioL of Ptolemy=the Xaugoi of Strabo=the Aviones
of Tacitus.
This, the identification of the Aviones with Ko€avloi — not the
derivation from hauan — is probable ; the more so as one of the
Greek forms of Chamavi is XafxaSol.
See Epilegomena, § Obii.
4 Angli.]— See Epilegomena, §§ on the Saxons, on the Angli, and
on the Angli of Tlmringia.
5 Varini.'] — The probable locality of the Varini is the parts about
Grabow and Warnow, on the river Eldene, an eastern feeder of the
Elbe, and the course of the river Warnow.
This notice of the geographical relations of the Varini is impor-
tant ; since they supply some of our scanty data for the position of
the Angle area, anterior to the respective migration of that impor-
tant family.
The proposed locality assumes that the Varini of Tacitus occupied
the same country as the Wamabi, Warnavi, or Warnahi of Adam
of Bremen and certain writers of the twelfth century. A Mecklen-
burg charter of a.d. 1185, contains the following passage :~"Silva,
quse distinguit terras Havelliere, scilicet et Muritz, eandem terram
quoque Muritz et Vepero cum terminis suis ad terram Warnowe
ex utraque parte fluminis quod Eldene dicitur usque ad castrum
Grabow."
Again, in a charter a.d. 1189: — "Distinguit tandem terram
Moritz et Veprouwe cum omnibus terminis suis ad terram quae
Wamoioe vocatur, includens et terram Warnouwwe cum terminis suis
ex utraque parte fluminis quod Eldena dicitur, usque ad castrum
quod Grabow nuncupatur ."
This is the first mention we have of the Varini of Mecklenburg in
the middle ages. For the semi- classical times, we have notices of
Warni in Jornandes and Procopius.
But whether these Warni be the same as the Varini, is considered
in Epilegomena, § Varni.
Were the Varini of Tacitus Germanic or Slavonic 1 The follow-
ing facts are in favour of their being Germanic : —
1 . The evidence of Tacitus.
2. Their worship (if real) of the same goddess as the Angli*
worshipped.
* See Epilegomena, § Angli.
144 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
In favour of a Slavonic affinity are : —
1. Their Slavonic character at the time they were first described
from personal knowledge.
2. The absence of any traces of a previous Germanic population in
the area occupied by them.
In other words, it is a certain fact that in the twelfth century
the Warnavi were Slavonic, whilst the belief that the Varini were
German, is a reasonable, but not unexceptionable, inference.
Probably, they were a frontier population.
6 Eudoses.] — One of the tribes of the Cimbric Chersonese in
Ptolemy's list, is that of the <&oi/v£ouo-io£. Here Ptolemy is wrong and
Tacitus right. Eudoses is the same word as bowdovaioi, minus
the <& and v. Such is Zeuss's view. To justify the first changes he
quotes the similar (supposed) mistake, on the part of Ptolemy, in the
word <&ap6()eivoi. See note on Suardones.
The second is defended — and that reasonably — by the forms
Bouktouvtcu, Bpivl-avrai, Kivriov opog, and Haivoxalfxai j in all of
which the v is, undoubtedly, an improper interfix.
See Epilegomena, § Phundusii.
7 Suardones.] — See note on Eudoses.
This word is considered by Zeuss to be derived from the Mceso-
Gothic svaird, Anglo-Saxon sweord=sword, just as Saxon from sahs
=hi/fe. Hence, Tacitus's name is the correct one. On the other hand
Ptolemy places after the Saxons, and on the river Chalusus (fxerd Se
royf 2a'£ora.£ diro rov XaXovaov iroTajxov) the Pharodini {^apoceivoi).
Now the Qapoh- of Qapodsiyot, is, according to Zeuss, the Suard-
of Suardones. I am not prepared either to deny or affirm this.
8 Nuithones.] —Zeuss's reasoning ^upon this word is remarkable,
but unsatisfactory. By an elaborate series of combinations he derives
his own name from it. He assumes : —
1. That by the Nuithones Tacitus means the Teutones, the t being
changed into n. " Aus Deutschland selbst geben Plinius und Ptole-
mseus noch die formen Teutoni, Teutones, aber auch schon Tacitus
Nuithones (=Niuthones) mit den wurzelhaftem n, wie Nerthus."
2. That Cluuari, * a remarkable, and hitherto unexplained, form
in a document called the Wessobrunner Manuscript, is the same as
* See Epilegomena, § Ciuuari.
NOTES ON SECTION XL. 145
Z invar i ; of which the second element is the word ware=inhabitants,
and the first the root Teut-, with the first t changed, and the latter
ejected. Of these three changes it is only the second that is, etymo-
logically, objectionable. The decomposition of the word into -ware
+ a prefixed noun is almost certainly correct. The change from t to
z is nothing more than what the difference between a High German
and Low German form leads us to expect. The ejection of the
second t, and the connection thereby effected with the root Teut- is
illegitimate.
3. That the Old High German proper names Zuto, Zuzo y
and Zuzzo and the Frisian form Tuta are the same as Teut- in
Teuton.
4. That Zuzzo =Zuzo=Zuto=Tuta= Teut- in Teuton=Nuith- in
Nuithones=Zeuss : — " Und dann ist auch der familienname Zeuss in
neuer form der alte name V When a man is investigating the etymo-
logy of his own name we must allow him more than usual latitude.
9 Rerthum.] — Another reading is Nerthum, and that in good MSS.
Nevertheless, the probability of a form in h being preferable is so
great, as, perhaps, to justify us in assuming it to be the right one.
The words Terram matrem, when compared with our own word
earth, the Anglo-Saxon eorpe, the Old High German erdu, the Mo3so-
Gothic airthus almost force upon us the reading Herthum.
As cautions, however, against disposing of the N thus summarily,
we have the following facts : —
1. The fact of there being no H in any of the German equivalents
to Terra.
2. The fact of there being in the Eddaic mythology a deity named
Niordr.
And against the conclusion that, even if the reading be h, the
goddess must necessarily be Hertha— Earth, is the existence of an
Anglo-Saxon deity Hre\e, with different attributes.
Still I think Terra Mater = Mother Earth.
10 Insula] — Heligoland.
11 Oceani.] — The German Ocean. The name IIelig~o-=holy isle
favours this view.
The term Oceani does the same. Nevertheless, it is applied to
the Baltic also.
L
14G THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
So does the undoubted Germanic occupancy of the island.
So do its relations to the Elbe and Weser.
At the same time claims have been asserted for the Isle of Ilugen
in the Baltic.
Rug-en is full of sacred antiquities ; and, at the beginning of the
historical period, was, perhaps, more unequivocally a Holy Island
than Heligoland, in fact, though not in name.
But at the beginning of the historical period, the rites, creed, and
population were Slavonic.
Of course, by considering the Rugii of § 43 as Germanic, this
objection is neutralized.
But I more than doubt whether this can be done.
As to the Eeudigni, Aviones, Angli, Varini, Eudoses, Suardones,
and Kuithones, collectively, we must remember, that, at the beginning
of the historical period, the Slavonians of the Lower Elbe are found
so far westwards as to make it doubtful whether the German frontier
— the Northern Germano-Slavonic March — can be carried much
farther eastward than the Hartz.
Lauenburg, was the occupancy of the Polabi, a remarkable name.
Po=on and Laba=Albis= the Elbe, the Slavonic form of that
name. Hence the Polabi were to the Elbe as the Po-mo-rani of
Pomerania to the sea (po=on, and more=sea). Slavonic as this
form was, it was adopted by the Germans ; and became a hybrid
word by means of the affix -ing — Po-lab-m^, a word half German
and half Slavonic in form, but wholly Slavonic in power.
Eastern Holstein was Wagrian; Aldenburg being the capital of the
Slavonic Wagri. — " Henricus . . intravit Slaviam, percussit . . omnem
terram Plunensem, Luthilenburgensem, A Idenburgensem, omnemque
regionem, quce inchoat a rivo Sualen et clauditur mari Baltico et flu-
mine Trabena." — Helmold. i. 56.
Mecklenburg was the country of the Obotriti ; Luneburg of the
Linones, whose Slavonic tongue was extant till a.d. 1700. The
details of the Slavonians of Alt-mark are obscure, but as it is certain
that Luchow and Danneberg in the north were Slavonic, and that
southwards there were numerous Slavonians in the direction of
Saxony, we may, provisionally, consider that a line drawn from
Hamburg to Jena represents the Old Slavono-Germanic March,
in its oldest form. Afterwards, the Saale forms the boundary.
That the Varini were Slavonic is only likely. That the Angli were
German is certain. Hence —
NOTES ON SECTION XL. 147
The Eudoses, &c, come in with the latter rather than the former,
and, on the ground of being what the Angli were, are Germanic.
Such being the case, it is necessary to place their locality in the
direction of Holstein and Sleswick northwards rather than in that of
Luneburg and Mecklenburg to the north-east; since the former is
the direction of the German, the latter that of the Slavonic popu-
lations.
It is also necessary to place them on the North Sea rather than
the Baltic, on account of Heligoland.
Hence, the majority of the tribes in question were probably the
ancient occupants of the western parts (the eastern being Slavonic)
of Sleswick-Holstein ; a population divided between the Anglo-
Saxon and the North-Frisian sections, and a population more or
less represented by the Nordalbingians of the eighth century.
Saxonum populus quidam, quos claudit ab austro
Albia sejunctim positos aquilonis ad axem.
Poeta Saxo, ad an. 798.
" Est enim gens in partibus nostri regni Saxonum scilicet et
Fresonum commixta, in confinibus Nordmannorum et Obodritorum
sita." — Ruodolfi Fuldens. Transl. S. Alexandri, Pertz ii. 677.
In the way of a more minute geography, these Nordalbingians
were the people of Sturmar, Holstein, and Ditmarsh. — " Thiedmarsi,
Holtsati, Sturmarii : transalbianorum Saxonum tres sunt populi :
primi ad Oceanum Thiatmarsgoi (al. Thiedmarsi), et eorum ecclesia
Mildinthorp (al. Melindorp) ; secundi Holtzati, dicti a silvis, quas
incolunt, eos Sturia flumen interfluit, quorum ecclesia Sconenfeld ;
tertii, qui et nobiliores, Sturmarii dicuntur, eo quod seditionibus ilia
gens frequenter agitur. Inter quos metropolis Hammaburg caput
extollit." — Adam. Brern. Hist. Eccl. c. 61. " Habet utique Hammen-
burgensis ecclesia prsescriptos terminos suas parochise, ultimam
scilicet partem Saxonise, quae est trans Albiam et dicitur Nordal-
bingia, continens tres populos, Tethmarsos, Holsatos, Stormarios" —
Helmold. Chron. Slavor. i. 6. "Attritse sunt vires Saxonum, et servie-
runt Cruconi sub tributo, omnis terra videlicet Nordalbingorum,
quas disterminatur in tres populos : Holzatos, Sturmarios, Thet-
marchos." — Id. i. 26.
The river Bille divided these from the Slavonians of Lauenburg.
As Nordalbingi is a term denoting an attribute [i.e., geogra-
phical position) ; and Sturmar, Ditmarsh, and Holstein geographical
l 2
148 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
terms, there is no difficulty in supposing that some of the names
of the present text represent the ancestors of the -4??r//o-Saxons
of Britain ; in other words, that they stood in the same relation
to that section oi the Germanic population as the Fosi and other
minor nations grouped around the'Cherusci, did to the Old Saxons.
Still the distribution of the North Frisians complicates the view.
See Epilegomena, § Angli.
XLI. Et ha?c quidem pars Suevorum in secretiora
Germanise porrigitur. Propior (nt quo modo paullo
ante Rhenum, sic nunc Danubium sequar) Hermun-
durorum civitas, 1 fida Romanis, eoque solis Germa-
norum non in ripa commercium, sed penitus, atque
in splendidissima Rhsetise provincice colonia : passim
et sine custode transeunt; et cum ceteris gentibus
arma modo castraque nostra ostendamus, his domos,
villasque patefecimus, non concupiscentibus. In Her-
munduris Albis oritur, 2 flumen inclitum et notum
olim ; nunc tantum auditur.
NOTES ON SECTION XLI.
1 Hermundurorum civitas.'] — See pp. 66 and 149.
2 In Hermunduris Albis oritur.] — Let us consider what means the
contemporaries of Tacitus had of knowing the source of the true Elbe ;
lying as they do within the unknown country of Bohemia. I say
unknown because there were certainly few means of knowing it. In-
deed, even at present it is by no means easy to say which of three
rivers is the true Elbe — the river which runs by Pilsen on the west,
the river which runs by Colin on the east, or the Muldau from the
south : besides which, it is equally difficult to say which of the
numerous feeders of these streams leads us to the true source.
This makes it probable that the Albis to which Tacitus assigns
the country of the Hermunduri was the Saale ; a view which gives
us the parts about Hof as portions of the area of the Hermunduri.
NOTES ON SECTION XLII. 149
An additional reason for believing that, in the eyes of a German,
the source of the Saale was the source of the Elbe, is to be found in
the name of the latter river itself. The name Elv=river ; the
Scandinavian equivalent to the German Fluss— a fact which shows
either that the Frisian of the Lower Elbe was spoken in a form
approaching the Norse, or else that the Norse itself was then spoken
farther southwards than afterwards — " Albis fluvius oritur in prse-
dictis Alpibus, perque medios Gothorum populos currit in Oceanum,
inde et Goihelba dicitur." — De Sit. Danise, c. 229. This applies to
the Swedish river Golaelf.
Now as the name was German, and as it was given by the popu-
lation of the lower part of the river, it is more likely that it was
extended upwards to a German branch, like the Saale, than to a
Slavonic one, like that which rises in Bohemia.
As Tacitus is now beginning with the Danube, up to which he
brings the Hermunduri, the source of the Elbe must be in the more
northern parts of the area of that population ; but as he also sepa-
rates the Hermunduri from the Suevi, we must be careful against
carrying the frontier too far in that direction.
XLII. JuxtaHermunduros 1 Narisci, 2 ac deinde Mar-
comanni 3 et Quadi 4 agunt. Prsecipua Marcomannorum
gloria viresque, atque ipsa etiam sedes, pulsis olim
Boiis, virtute parta. Nee Narisci Quadive degene-
rant. Eaque Germanise velut irons est, quatenus
Danubio pergitur. Marcomannis, Quadisque usque ad
nostram memoriam reges raanserunt, ex gente ipso-
rum, nobile Marobodui et Tudri genus : jam et ex-
ternos patiuntur. Sed vis et potentia regibus, ex
auctoritate Romana : rar6 armis nostris, ssepius pe-
cunia juvantur.
NOTES ON SECTION XLII.
1 Hermunduros.~\ — The reasons for considering the name Hermun-
duri a compound word, are numerous and satisfactory.
150 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
For the opinions as to the meaning of the term Hainan,
see pp. 47 —49.
The root dur- re-appears in the Tfup-io-xaljuai of Ptolemy ; a
compound of Teur- and heim=hovie ; just as JBoio-hemum=the home
of the Boil. All this is pointed out by Zeuss, who expressly says
that Hermun-duri is evidently a compound (a/ugenscheinlick compo-
sitwn) and also that the Teupioxal/ucu of Ptolemy means the same
people.
The identification of both forms with the modern form Thuringen
(Thur-ingioi), is equally probable. The -ing is the gentile or patro-
nymic affix — consequently no part of the original word.
The change from d to t, which occurs between Tacitus and Ptolemy,
occurs in the more modern forms also ; Durinc,= r £ur-ing, being the
Old High German word.
This justifies us in considering the population, whose name appears
as the second element of the word Hermun-duri, as the occupants of
the parts between the Werra and the Saale ; or the present district
of Thuringia, wherein we find a Tor-gau.
All this is confirmed by the following observations of Zeuss.
After the Marcomannic war, in which they took part, the Hermun-
duri disappear. Suevia, which, in the Roman maps, fills up the
country between the Bructeri and Alemanni, in its eastern parts,
represents their country. Jornandes, who mentions them but once,
does so in a loose and general way, and evidently on the authority
of older writers. Speaking of the Vandals of the first half of the
fourth century, he says — " Erant namque illis tunc ab oriente Gothi,
ab occidente Marcomanni, a septentrione Hermunduri, a meridie
Hister, qui et Danubius dicitur." — C. 22. From this time forwards,
history knows no Hermunduri, but, from the fifth century down-
wards, Toringi, Thoringi, and Thuringi, in their stead. That the
Thuringians are in nowise a different people from the early Hermun-
duri, can be safely admitted, since we discover neither how so con-
siderable a population as the latter, should have been lost, nor
whence such a one as the former could have originated. Besides
which, the later writers always place the Thuringians at the back
of the Franks and Alemanni, and between them and the Saxons ;
this being the original country of the Hermun-duri.
Upon the locality of the Hermundorum civitas, I can throw no light.
The extent given in the text to the area of the Hermunduri
requires notice. Tacitus brings them as far south as the Danube.
NOTES ON SECTION XLII. 151
This is much beyond the limits of the present Thuringia. More
than this, it is beyond the Tevpioyaijiai of Ptolemy. Nevertheless,
for reasons given in the Epilegomena, I think the extension highly
probable.
If so, the country of the Hermun- duri was the greater part of
Thuringia, plus the valley of the Naab.
The complement to this note are Epilegomena, § Ostrogoths, and
the next note.
2 JVarisci.] — The Fichtelgebirge, in its western extension, is the
water-shed to the Saale and the Naab — north and south; the Saale
belonging to the system of the Elbe, the Naab to that of the Danube.
Along with the valley of the Naab, that of the Regen should be con-
sidered ; the Regen being the stream nearest the mountain-frontier of
Bohemia.
The present names of the geographical localities for the system of
these two rivers, are almost wholly German — almost, but not quite.
Slavonic forms appear occasionally, increasing slightly as we approach
Bohemia.
The German dialect, to which the German names of geographical
localities (as far as it is not an over-refinement to refer them to one
dialect more than another) are mostly referable, is the High German
of Bavaria.
Slavonic names occur even west of the Naab ; though rarely.
Putting all this together, I infer —
a. Prom the existence of Slavonic names at all, an early Slavonic
occupancy.
b. From the paucity of them, an early displacement of such
occupants.
c. From the forms in p, the Alemannic origin of the last invaders.
Mark the word last.
For accomplishing the change from Slavonic to German, the date
of the chief Alemannic conquests is full early enough.
But it by no means follows that, because Germans of the Alemannic
type conquered a country, originally Slavonic, in the third, fourth, or
fifth centuries, they must have been the first Germans who did so.
Earlier encroachers upon the Slavonians of the Naab and Regen may
have proceeded from the parts to the north — from Thuringia. A
Plermunduric conquest in the first, is perfectly compatible with an
Alemannic in the fifth century.
152 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
I believe such to have been the case. The previous occupancy of
the valley of the Naab (at least) by Germans anterior to the invasion
of the present Bavarians, is necessary to account for their presence
on the Danube, in the second, third, and fourth centuries : besides
■which the present text requires it.
The present text also requires that they should be either Hermun-
duri, or closely allied to them.
The reasons for believing the Hermunduri to have belonged to a
different section of the Germans (indeed to have been the chief
branch of the Moeso-Goths) will be found in the sequel.*
Whether the Narisci were Slavonians like their neighbours on the
east, or Germans like their neighbours on the south, is, notwith-
standing the text, an open question.
As Narisd, we have no further specific ethnological information
about them.
If, however, we allow the Ovapioroi of Ptolemy to be the same
people, we get a second notice of them ; a notice, however, which
adds nothing to our knowledge ; merely doing what is done by
Tacitus, i.e., placing them next to the Hermunduri (Tevpioxctlfxai).
To get any new facts, we must go further still. Let the word
War opog KopicovTOi, icai Aovyioi ot Bovpoi,
fJ-tXP 1 r V£ xttyaXiJQ tov OviarovXa Trorafxov. 'Ytto ce tovtovq, TrpuiTOL
2t'£wv£c> tira Koyvot, situ Oviatovpytoi, VTrep tov 'Opicvvtov Spv/xov.
Now Zeuss considers that Koyvot is a fault in the MSS. for Ko'rvot,
which is likely enough. He also thinks that the Ko'rvot are the
lioTivoi of Dion Cassius, and that the KoVtvot of Dion Cassius are the
Gothini of Tacitus — which is likely too.
The iron-mines, combined with the statement as to their language,
fix the Gothini in the Gallician Carpathians.
Gallica — lingua. — I know no reasons for believing that the
name Ealitsch, the Slavonic form for Gallicia is one whit less ancient
than the names Gallia, Britannia, Italia, Hellas, &c.
Until I do, I translate Gallica by Gallician ; considering that the
same similarity, with the same likelihood of creating error, between
words as like as the form out of which Gallicia grew, and that out
of which the Romans formed Galli and the Greeks TaXaVat, ex-
isted in the time of Tacitus as now.
NOTES ON SECTION XLIIL 157
3 Osi.] — No other writer but Tacitus unequivocally mentions any
tribe with a name like that of Osi, in the neighbourhood of the
south-eastern March. The Osii of Ptolemy are too far north to
coincide with them. These are a people beyond the Veltse (Ove'Xtcu),
a Lithuanic nation on the Baltic — UdXiv £e rrjv /jiev ife^g tw
OveveSiKui ku\ttg) irapwKzaviTiv Kareyovcriv OveXrai, i/7T£p ovq "Qoiol,
elra KdpSioveg apKrazuiraToi ; a people whose name Zeuss is probably
right in connecting with that of the island Osilia—Oesel. — P. 272.
I say that no writer but Tacitus unequivocally mentions any tribe
with a name like that of the Osi, in the neighbourhood of the south-
eastern March ; and I now draw attention to the qualifying word
unequivocally. What if the Ovirr^ovpycoi be the people of Qvio-
Sovpy-, as they almost certainly were, and Ov"«r€ovpy- be the burg or
berg of the Osi 1
Whether the -ftovpy- in Ovia€ovpyioi=berg=hill, or burgh-
borough, i.e., whether the compound be a word like Konings-6er^, or
a word like Ham-burg, is of no great consequence. The word is a
German one. Yet it by no means follows that the nation it desig-
nated was German.
Wisburg (or Wisberg) might be a German name for a Slavonic
locality, just as Liefland (Livonia) and Courland are.
It might also (as suggested in p. 97), in the hands of a Greek
writer, take the form Asciburgius Mons.
That the Osi were not German is Tacitus's own statement.
The complement to this note is not. in vv. Aravisci ab Osis — Osi
ah Araviscis, p. 96, &c.
The hypothesis is as follows : —
a. That the population from the Asciburgius Mons, or the Carpa-
thians between Gallicia, Moravia, and Upper Hungary, was once
continuous with that of Croatia ; the northern portion of it being
called, by the Germans, Osi.
b. The invasion of the Germans of the Danube broke up this
continuity.
c. But not wholly. Within the German area (probably in the
mountain strongholds of the Luna SUva=Jablunka Berg), isolated
portions of the Osi preserved their language.
4 Bicrii.'] — What applies to the Marsigni applies to the Burii.
They may be considered German as long as there is no stronger
objection lying against them than their situation beyond the March,
158 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
and as long as that objection is met by the special statement that
their tongue was Suevic, i.e., in the eyes of Tacitus, German.
But there is a stronger objection. It will be seen in the next
note that Ptolemy places them in the same category with the Lygii.
5 Lygiorum.~\ — Here, according to Tacitus, we have a generic term
like Gallm and Sueow.
Neither is there any reason to doubt his evidence. On the con-
trary it is confirmed in more quarters than one.
1. Ptolemy gives the same generic power to the word — "Y-ko Ze tovq
Bouyoi/vrac Aovyioi ol 0/.iai'ol, hip' ovq Auvyioi ol Aoui/ot, f*£XP L T °v
' Aant^vpyiov bpovq .... teat Aovyioi ol Bou poi, ^f'xP' T0 " OinarovXa
■Korajjiov.
2. The extract from Nestor* confirms Ptolemy: — "When the
Wallachians attacked the Slovenians — the Slovenians went forth,
and settled on the River Vislje (Vistula), and called themselves
Lekhs (Ljachove). And some of these people were called Poles, some
Luticzi, some Pomoranians."
This does something more than confirm Ptolemy. It shows that
the root Lelch was Slavonic, i.e., the native name by which the
Slavonians of the Vistula called themselves, rather than the name
by which they were called by their non- Slavonic neighbours.
That the name of Lekh was recognised by other writers than
Nestor, indeed, that it was a common designation, is shown by the
hypothesis of the later chronicles, where it becomes the name of the
eponymus of the Poles. Tshekh and Lekh are the two leaders of
two great nations ; the first of the Poles, the second of the Bohe-
mians. Of the latter, the present native name is Tshekh; of the
former, Lekh was the original denomination.
Hence the name Lekh in Nestor's time, at least, was native.
After this, does any reader doubt the identity between the Lygii
of Tacitus and the Poles 1 or, admitting this, does he believe the
Lygii to have been German 1
Amongst ethnologists, Zeuss, for one, insists on this latter view.
I confess that it strikes me unfavourably that he has kept back
the identity of locality, combined with the similarity of sound
between the Lekh of Nestor, and the Lygii of Tacitus. Whether we
look to his remarks on the former word (p. 126), or the latter (p.
* Prolegomena, p. xxiii.
NOTES ,TO SECTION XLIIL 159
662), we find abundant signs of readiness to associate similar words
with the one under consideration. Thus (in vv. Poloni, Wenden)
he expends some ingenuity in showing the probability of the Lekh
of Nestor, and the Asv^avrjvoi of Constantine Porphyrogenita being
identical. He also shows some research in tracing the names in the
Icelandic writings of Snorro (as Lcesjar) and in the Latin of Witi-
kind (Liciaviki).
Then in v. Lygii he enumerates the slightly varied forms Ligii,
Lugii, Aoiot, Aovyioi, Lugiones, Aoyiwvzg, Lupiones, and hints at an
etymological connection with the root long. But, with all this
there is not a single reference from Lygii to Lekh, nor yet any from
Lekh to Lygii ; so that the very important fact of similarity of
name coinciding with identity of area, is not even recognised as a
complication worth investigating.
Pole is a geographical, rather than a national, term, and means
occupants of plains. Pole=])lain, and Polak-=an inhabitant of a
plain. Of this Polacy is the plural form. Nestor writing in Old
Slavonic, has the form Poljane. Hence the Latin form Polonia —
" Inter Alpes Hunnise et Oceanum est Polonia, sic dicta in eorum
idiomate quasi Campania.'''' — Zeuss, p. 662.
The d in the English form Poland, has been introduced by the
same process of confusion which converts asparagus into sparrow-
grass, i.e., the tendency to identify a like term in a foreign, with
some real one in the native tongue.
The situation of the Lygii of Tacitus is that of the Lekhs of
Nestor.
The present Poles are the Lekhs of Nestor under another name.
This is admitted by Zeuss. — " The name Lech, originally a general
name given by the eastern to the western branch of Slavonians,
must most frequently have been applied to those who lived nearest,
viz., the Poles. At length, after ceasing to be a general appellation,
it became fixed as their special designation." — P. 662.
With all this, not a word about Lekh being even like Lyg-ii.
But it may be said that the assumption of a migration in the case
of the Slavonic Lekhs is legitimate, inasmuch as it is suggested by
the very passage of Nestor lately quoted.
Be it so. There would still stand over the very remarkable fact
that the very area in which these immigrant Lekhs settled, should
be an area occupied by a people with a name almost identical with
their own. What should we say to a writer who argued that Boston
160 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
in the United States was, very likely, wholly unconnected with
Boston in England ; that it was an aboriginal American name ; that
by mere chance, 'the Bostonians of Lincolnshire fell in with a place
named like their native town; and that by mere chance the aboriginal
Bostonians of Massachusetts were displaced by a population bearing
the same name as themselves 1
But chey might have taken their name from that of the earlier
Lygii. Not so. The tradition about the eponymus Lech is strong
evidence in favour of its being native. What Anglo-Saxon ever
called himself a descendant of Brut ; or placed Brut at the head of
his genealogy 1
11 Arii — Jfanimi—EIi/sii.] — I can throw no light on these names,
unless the Man-imi be the Lygii O-man-i of Ptolemy.
7 Ilelveconas.] — 'PovtocXeiwv $e ecu TiovyovvTwv (fXETa.lv Ke'ivrai)
AlXovatwveg. — Ptolemy. They, probably, are part of the duchy of
Posen ; possibly Slavonians of the river Hevel.
8 iVaharvalos.] — To what appears in the text I can add but little
about the Naharvali.
The termination -vcd has been considered Germanic, i.e., = the
-phal in West-phal-ia, and other similar compounds.
It is not, however, exclusively so. A form so near it as gal is
Lithuanic, and, perhaps, Slavonic as well. — " Letti, qui proprie
dicuntur Let-gcdl-i. — Letti vel Lett-gall-i adhuc pagani." This is
from Henry the Lett, speaking of the Letts of Livonia. Nestor, a
Russian, has the form Sjet-gola.
Again — the old inhabitants of part of Samogitia are not only
Samo-gitce, but Sem-i-gaU-i, San-gal-i, and iSam-gal-i, in the older
Latin writers, and Zim-gola in Nestor.
Again — "Swiatha (sc. fluvius) ex Samogitia, cujus fons prope Vil-
komiriam et in villa Hemy-gola, ostia circa Mariewerder, et hie
dividit Lithuaniam et Samogitiam." — Dlugoss.
Is it safe then to say that such internal evidence as is derived
from the element -vol in favour of the Nahar-i>a^ being German is
neutralized by the Lithuanic terminations. The meaning of the
word is uncertain. All that is certain is, that the word is a com-
pound.
Yicto-hali (Yicto-ali, Yicto-vali), and Th.a,i-phali, seem to be
NOTES ON SECTION XLIII. 161
similar compounds. These are the names of populations on the
Lower Danube — German in the eyes of most writers, Slavonic in
those of the present.
For further notice of the Naharvali, see remarks on the Nadrovitce,
p. 173.
9 Muliebri ornatu.] — Adam of Bremen describes the priests of the
ancient Courlanders, not indeed as dressing as women, but as monks.
" Divinis, auguribus, atque necromanticis omnes domus sunt plenas,
qui etiam vestitu monachico induti sunt." — De Situ Danise, c. 223.
10 Interpretations Bomand.] — The commentary upon the principles
which determine the choice of a given deity in one country as the
equivalent, parallel, or analogue to one in another, would be one of
great length. They are, however, referable to two heads :— ~
1. The correspondence may be suggested by similarity of name ;
or —
2. The correspondence may be suggested by similarity of attributes.
If what is written on the names Hercules, Isis, &c, be correct, we
have instances of both principles in Tacitus.
a. Isis (see note in vocem) seems determined by the former process.
b. Hercules by the latter.
c. For Mars, Mercury, and Pollux, a case may be made out* either
way.
11 Castorem Pollucemque.] — The Slavonic mythology has two asso-
ciated gods, named Lei and PoleL
Without being able to say that, beyond their duality, and the
name of one of them, there is anything to connect them with the
Castor and Pollux of Tacitus, I am not afraid of saying that the
German mythology has nothing equally similar, be this similarity
little or much.
12 Alcis.] — I believe this ale- to be simply Lithuania
Hartknoch, in his Dissertatio de Diis Prussorum minoribus, writes,
" Inter /eras Prussi veteres in primis alcem (the elk) divino prose-
quebantur honore, ut testis est Erasmus Stella, in Lib. ii. Antiq.
Boruss. Nee dubium est quin aliis quoque animalibus divini
honores sint delati."— § 7.
The fact of a thing or person named Ale- being an object of
M
162 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
worship to the Lithuanians is an unexceptionable inference from this
passage. Its identity with the quadruped elk is, probably, a mis-
apprehension of the author's.
13 Golhone$.~] — Reasons for considering the Gothones to be M&tii
under a Slavonic name, will be found in not. ad v. jEstii.
The -n is, almost certainly, an inflexional elemant rather than a
part of the root.
It may be German, i.e., the -n in East-an and other similar weak
forms.
But it may also be Slavonic, i.e., the -n, in such forms as Pol-
jane, A:c.
That the radical part (Goth-) is Slavonic, is in the highest degree
probable.
But for this vid. hit): in v. JEstii, and Epilegomena, § Goths.
14 Rugii.] — For the quotation which, notwithstanding its late
date, and the objections which will be noticed a few sentences
onwards, must stand as the chief text concerning this term, see
Prolegomena, p. xix.
It relates to the Rugiani, Runi, Rani, or Verani ; * the Slavonians
of the Isle of Rugen, in the ninth century. Zeuss, from whom I
take it, adds, ho\vever, that it has nothing in common with the Ger-
man gentile name Rugi, and that the coincidence is purely accidental.
" Rugia, Rugen, nichts mit dem deutschen VoUcsnamen Rugi gemein
hat und das tjebereinkommen rein zufdllig ist."
If this mean the Rugii of the fifth century (see Epilegomena,
§ Rugii) I agree with him ; but not, if it mean the Rugii of Tacitus.
For more, see next note.
15 Lemovii.~\ — If we admit the parts about the rivers Dwina and
Memel to be the locality of the Lemovii, we may deal with the
word as a derivative ; in which case the radical part of the word
will be the syllable Lem-.
Adam of Bremen mentions the Lami as being the neighbours of
the Curi of Courland.
Pomponius Sabinus (about a.d. 1480) mentions the Lcem-omi.
Dusberg speaks of the Terra Zam-otina.
* See Epilegomena, § Angli.
NOTES ON SECTION XLIII. 163
Now, though all this is taken from the 682nd page of Zeuss,
when speaking of the Lami, not one word of it appears in p. 155,
where he notices the Lemovii. On the contrary, he finds nothing-
nearer these last-named tribes in sound and geography than the Lim-
fiord of Jutland. Yet Tacitus' s locality of the Lemovii is certainly
not very far from that of the Lami.
Zeuss does all this ; nay, more, he does it in the face of two
remarks of his own — viz., that the derivational element ov (Lem-
ov-ii) appears in no other German word, and that in some MSS. of
Tacitus the reading was Lemonii.
Now these Lami are the Liven, i.e., the most western branch of the
Ugrian Finns of Esthonia, a nation now nearly extinct, having been
encroached on by the Germans, and the Letts of Livonia (Zie/'-land);
Livonia, of which the name is referable to these early, but now
displaced, occupants.
The change from m to v was not immediate. Nestor gives the
intermediate form Lib.
Now what if some place, in the name of which the combination
R-g occurs, be nearer these Liv-en than even the Isle of Rugen?
In this case we have a complication — a complication which arises
from the fact that, although the Isle of Rugen may be a likely place
for the Rugii of Tacitus, as against the Rugii of the Odoacer, it is
not so against the locality, or the people (be it which it may) from
which the present town of Riga takes its name. Less prominent
in history than the Rugii of Rugen, they are nearer the Lami — and
this gives us a composition of difficulties.
Again — Ptolemy has a place called Touytov on the mouth of the
Oder, and there is a Roga-land in Scandinavia. Upon the whole, I
think the Rugii of Tacitus are the people of the Gulf of Riga.
XLIV. Suionum 1 hinc civitates, ipso in Oceano,
prseter viros armaque classibus valent : forma navium
eo differt, quod utrimque prora paratam semper ap-
pulsui frontem agit : nee velis ministrantur, nee remos
in ordinem lateribus adjungunt. Solutum, ut in qui-
164 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
busdam fluminum, et mutabile, ut res poscit, hinc vol
illinc remigium. Est apud illos et opibus honos :
eoque unus imperitat, nullis jam exceptionibus, non
precario jure parendi ; nee arm a, ut apud ceteros Ger-
manos, in promiscuo, sed clausa sub custode, et quidem
servo : quia subitos hostium incursus prohibet Oce-
an us. Otiose porro armatorum manus facile lasci-
viunt : enimvero neque nobilem, neque ingenuum,
ne libertinum quidem armis procponere regia utilitas
est.
NOTE ON SECTION XLIV.
1 Suionum.] — The -n is no part of the root, but an inflexion — the
-n of the weak declension ; the Anglo-Saxon form being Sve-an, and
the Icelandic Svi-ar. The common compound, however, is Svi-]>iod
= the Svi-people ; the plod being the same as the Deut- in
Deutsche.
The present Swedish name for Swe-den is Sve-rige, a word like
biskop-ric—the kingdom (ric) of the Sulci.
This shows that the language of the first informants about the
Suiones was a Gothic dialect.
But it does not show that the root Sui- was Gothic. This, like
the root Kent- in the Anglo-Saxon forms Kent-ing and Cant-ware,
may belong to another language.
This reduces the internal evidence of the Suiones of Tacitus having
been Gothic to the single fact that the root Sui- enters in the name
of the Swedes — a fact (as has been suggested in the remarks on the
words Suevi and Saxo) by no means conclusive. Still it is, per-
haps, prima facie evidence.
XLV. Trans Suionas aliud mare pigrum, 1 ac prope
immotum, quo cingi cludique terrarum orbem hinc
fides: quod extremus cadentis jam solis fulgor in
ortus edurat, adeo clarus, ut sidera hebetet. Sonum
NOTES ON SECTION XLV. 165
insuper emergentis audiri, formasque deorurn, et radios
capitis 2 aspici persuasio adjicit. Illuc usque (et fama
vera) tantum natura. Ergo jam dextro Suevici maris 3
litore iEstiorum gentes 4 alluuntur: quibus ritus habi-
tusque Suevorum, lingua Britannicae propior. 5 Ma-
trem deum venerantur: insigne superstitionis, formas
aprorum gestant. Id pro armis omnique tutela, : se-
curum deae cultorem etiam inter hostes prsestat.
Rarus ferri, frequens fustium usus. Frumenta cete-
rosque fructus patientius, quam pro solita, Germa-
norum inertia, laborant. Sed et mare scrutantur;
ac soli omnium succinum, quod ipsi glesum vocant,
inter vada atque in ipso litore legunt. Nee, quae
natura, quaeve ratio gignat, ut barbaris, quaesitum com-
pertumve. Diu quinetiam inter cetera ejectamenta
maris jacebat, donee luxuria nostra dedit nomen :
ipsis in nullo usu ; rude Iegitur, informe perfertur,
pretiumque mirantes accipiunt. Succum tamen ar-
borum esse intelligas, quia terrena quaedam atque
etiam volucria animalia plerumque interlucent, quae
implicata humore, mox durescente materia, cludun-
tur. Fecundiora igitur nemora lucosque, sicut Ori-
entis secretis, ubi thura balsamaque sudantur, ita
Occidentis insulis terrisque inesse crediderim, quae
vicini solis radiis expressa atque liquentia in proxi-
mum mare labuntur, ac vi tempestaturn in adversa
litora exundant. Si naturam succini admoto igne
tentes, in modum tedae accenditur, alitque flammam
pinguem et olentem : mox ut in picem resinamve
lentescit. Suionibus Sitonum gentes continuantur.
Cetera similes, uno differunt, quod femina dominatur : 6
in tantum non modo a libertate, sed etiam a servitute
degenerant. Hie Sueviae finis.
106 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
NOTES ON SECTION XLV.
1 Aliud mare pig rum. ~\ — The Arctic Ocean.
• Radios capitis.] — The Aurora Borealis (?).
3 Suevici maris.] — The Norse form was probably something like
Svi-haf,* just as Kord-hav, at the present moment— the North-sea ;
haf being the Scandinavian word for both sea and ocean; in which
case the -v in Suev-, is, really, the -v- in hav.
At any rate, it seems safe to consider the formation of the word
as applied to the Swedish Sea, as different from that of the Suev-, in
Sut ci and Suevia ; though no such difference is recognized by
Tacitus.
Indeed, we must attribute some unsteadiness of expression to him
here.
a. The rites and customs of the jEstii are Suevic. — This may,
possibly, apply to the Suevi of Suabia, and Franconia.
b. II ic (beyond Finland) Suev ice finis. This can scarcely do so.
4 jEstiorum gentcs.~\ — The word gentes prepares us to expect in
jEstii — as in Suevi — a collective name. Such is, really, the case.
That the JEstii of Tacitus were the occupants of the present coast
of Prussia and Courland, is shown by what is said about the amber-
trade. This fixes the locality as definitely as iEtna would fix Sicily,
or Vesuvius Campania.
Like Suiones, jEstii is a word from a Gothic informant.
The form in which it reached Tacitus was probably Easte — i.e.,
the strong form of the grammarians.
But the weak form was also used since, in a quotation which will
soon appear, we find the form , H(rriu)VEQ=Eastan.
As this is one of the three non-compound words,t for which I not
only assume an etymology, but argue from it, I shall consider the
form of the word somewhat at length.
It, apparently, is not an unexceptionable form. Being a geogra-
phical rather than a gentile name, we should expect to find it com-
* With the article Svi-huv-et, like No?rl-hav-et.
t See Prolegomena, p. liii.
NOTES ON SECTION XLV. 167
pound, i.e., in some form equivalent to East-mew, East-ware (like
Cant-ware), East-Zcmd, or East-soe&m (like Dor-set).
Failing this we should expect, at least, a derivative form such as
Easter-^mc/, Jb&st-ing.
The form, however, is simple ; just as if we said the Easts.
Simple, however, as it is, the following extract from Alfred places
its meaning beyond reasonable doubt : — " Seo Visle is swiSe
micel ea, and hio to liS Vit-land, and Veonod-land, and J>set
Vit-land, belimpe'S to Estwn, and seo Visle lift ut of Veonod-lande,
and li'5 in Estmere, and se i^mere, is huru fiftene mila brad.
Thonne cymeS Ilfing eastan in i^taiere, of J>sem mere ]>e Truso
standee in stafte, and cumaS ut samod in Estmere Ilfing eastan
of Eastl&nde, and Visle suSan of Veonodlande."
It is as safe, then, to consider the word jEstii to mean the men of
the East, as it is to consider the word German ; since —
1. The form of the word coincides with its geographical import.
2. The particular word in question is 'known to have been applied
by the Germans to the particular parts in question.
3. There is no other language but the German in which it occurs
with the same power.
4. The German name for the present Esihonians is Esthen ; their
country being Est-land.
This last fact suggests an objection.
It may be said to prove too much, i.e., to prove that these sup-
posed JEstian the Eastern populations are not sufficiently in the East,
i.e., that the true Eastern countries of the Baltic are on the Gulf of
Finland.
Alfred's evidence meets this.
Again — the fact of the Esthonians being the present Esthen, or
men of the East, is by no means conclusive as to the Esthonians
having been the JEstii of Tacitus. A term like the one in question
would apply to different- countries according to the advance of
geographical knowledge ; ceasing to be characteristic as soon as
fresh tracts east of those which it originally designated by it became
known.
At any rate, the present Esthonia may have been the most eastern
part of the JEstian country.
Thirdly — at the mouth of the river Niemen, and nearly coinciding
with the division between East Prussia and Courland, and coinciding
equally nearly with the amber locality of the iEstii, the direction of
168 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
the coast changes suddenly from east to north; so much so as to
make the parts in question, for some time, the most eastern extre-
mity of the Baltic. From Memel to Windau, the navigation is due
north, and it is only by keeping along the coast that the Gulf of
Riga is found to form a bend towards the east. The Gulf of Fin-
land does so still more. But this is only for a while. Finland itself
is nearly in the same longitude with Courland.
Unless, then, we take in the Gulfs of Riga and Finland, the
country of the JEstii is really the east-end of the Baltic.
Furthermore — except for the purposes of a special trade, the
gulfs in question were not likely to be visited ; since from the
position of the islands Oesel and Dago, at the entrance of the Gulf
of Riga, and the narrowness of the entrance of the Gulf of Fin-
land, it was not necessary for even the most cautious coasters to
follow the line of the land, on a voyage from Memel in Courland to
Abo in Finland.
It is likely, then, that those Germans, who applied the term JEstii
to the Courlanders, made no account of the Gulfs of Riga and Fin-
land ; in which cases the Curiscke Nehrung was rightly designated
a< eastern, ica-' e'Sox*?''-
We, however, who do make account of those great indentations,
placed our East-men in Esthonia.
The quotation alluded to is one from Stephanus Byzantinus —
'ilor/wree, edrog irapa tw cvtikui wKeavoj ovg YLoootvovc 'Aprefii^opoc
(pr](Ti, Ylvdeac 'tlariaiove.
Pytheas is the voyager, whose account of the Baltic about 320
B.C. is treated with some contempt by Strabo. — i. p. 63.
However, it by no means follows that because the name was
Gothic it applied to a Gothic population ; indeed, as far as we can
get evidence for a negative fact, it is against the word JEstii being
a native name.
There is plenty of mention between the time of Tacitus and the
eleventh century of these same JEstii; but it is only by writers who
were themselves either Germans or adopters of the German geography
that the name is Hcest-, Aist-, or some similar form.
General, however, as the name is in the Germanic authorities, is
it rare in those of Russia, Prussia, Poland 1 Probably, it is not to
be found at all. Instead, thereof, we have the term Pruss {Prussian)
or the more remarkable form Guddon.
These remarks upon the form and origin of the word have been
NOTES ON SECTION XLV. 169
given at large, because Zeuss, who admits so many less probable deri-
vations, not only keeps the adjective east entirely out of sight, but
disguises the word by writing it Aisten, on the very inferior au-
thority of Eginhart — " Litus australe Sclavi et Aisti et alise diversse
incolunt nationes." — Vit. Car. Magn. c. 12.
The existence of the amber-trade explains the reference made in
the note upon the word Gothones to the present one.
The locality of the amber-trade fixes the Gothones even as it does
the iEstii, and by fixing them in the same locality at the same time
identifies the two.
This identification is of so much importance that the details of the
proof will be given minutely.
Pliny's form is Guttones.
Tacitus's in the Annals (ii. 62) Gotones ; in the present text
Gothones.
Ptolemy's TvduviQ.
Pliny's locality is jEstuarium* Oceani Mentonomon nomine.
Tacitus's trans Lygios, i.e., north of Poland.
Ptolemy's irapd rov O.viarrovXav -irorafibv biro rovg Ovevtdag.
Pliny connects them with the amber-country.
That the Koaaivoi of Artemidorus is the same word is likely ; the
oo—tt, as in BaXdrra and SaXdaaa, &c.
Now, the notices of the amber-country might reach the Greeks or
Romans by two routes. 1. It might come across the continent ; and
that, wholly by land, or by the Vistula, Theiss, and Danube, or by
the Priepetz and Dnieper. In this case the carriers of the article,
and the informants as to its country and collectors, would be Slavo-
nians.
2. It might come by sea, in which case Germans would be — par-
tially at least — the carriers of the article, and the informants as to
its country and collectors.
Now it is clear, that, if the Germans had one term, and the
Slavonians another, for a nation in the amber- country, that nation
would be known to a Greek or Roman under two names ; and it is
nearly certain that this was the case in the present instance. The
Gothones were JEstii when the notice came from Germany. The
.jEstii were Gothones when the notice came from Slavonia.
Lest this should seem an over-refinement, we must remember that,
if JEstii = Este = Eastmen, and if the jEstian tongue were as
* Probably, no true Mstuarium, but the word Est-ware misunderstood.
170 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Tacitus makes it, something other than German, a second name is
a matter of necessity— since the one in Tacitus (jEstii) could not
possibly be native. Yet a native name must have existed, and what,
in the present stage of the argument, is more likely than Gothon
(Gutton) 1
When Tacitus follows the coast-line of the Baltic, he comes to the
uEstii. \\ hen he starts from the Marcomanni and Lygii, he reaches
the Gotlwnes.
His expression trans Lygios is one of remarkable accuracy. The
line which separates the most northern province of Poland (Masovia)
from East Prussia, is also the line which separates the nations speak-
ing the dialects derived from the iEstian or Gothonic, from the
nations speaking the dialects descended from Lekh or Polish.
The extent to which the German name was unknown to the
Sarmatians, and vice versa, is shown in more ways than one, and it
easily accounts for Tacitus's describing the same people under different
designations, when we approached the notice of their country from
different quarters. That the Sarmatian name was either Pruss or
Guddon has been already stated ; and it is safe to say from the
following remarkable address of Theodoric, the Ostrogoth, to the
people of the amber-country, that if they were Goth-ic in any way,
it was an unknown fact to the Goths of Italy.
" Ha?stis Theodoricus rex. Illo et illo legatis vestris venientibus
grande vos studium notitire nostra? habuisse cognovimus ; ut in
Oceani litoribus constituti, cum nostra mente jungamini : suavis nobis
admodum et grata petitio, ut ad vos perveniret fama nostra, ad quos
nulla potuimus destinare mandata. Amate jam cognitum, quern
requisistis ambienter ignotum. Nam inter tot gentes viam prsesu-
mere, non est aliquid facile concupiisse. Et ideo salutatione vos
affectuosa requirentes, indicamus succina, qua? a vobis per harum
portitores directa sunt, grato animo fuisse suscepta, quse ad vos Oceani
unda descendens, hanc levissimam substantiam, sicut et vestrorum
relatio continebat, exportat ; sed unde veniat, incognitum vos habere
dixerunt, quam ante omnes homines patria vestra offerente suscipitis.
Haec quodam Cornelio scribente legitur in interioribus insulis
Oceani ex arboris succo defiuens, unde et succinum dicitur, paulatim
solis ardore coalescere. Fit enim sudatile metallum teneritudo per-
spicua, modo croceo colore rubens, modo flammea claritate pingue-
scens, ut cum in maris fuerit delapsa confinio, aestu alternante
purgata, vestris litoribus tradatur exposita. Quod ideo judicavimus
NOTES ON SECTION XLV. 171
indicandum, ne omnino putetis notitiam nostram fugere, quod
occultum creditis vos habere. Proinde requirite nos saepius per vias t
quas amor vester aperuit. Quia semper prodest divitum regum
acquisita concordia, qui dum parvo munere leniuntur, majore semper
compensatione prospiciunt. Aliqua vobis etiam per legatos vestros
verbo mandavimus, per quos quae grata esse debeant nos destinasse
declaramus." — Cassiod. Variar. v. 2.
The further confirmation which this view receives from the facts
connected with the modern name Guddon is exhibited in Epilego-
mena, § Goths.
5 Lingua Britannica? propior.] — Here an author like Tacitus
commits himself to a definite statement, and it must not be set
aside on light grounds. Either the a priori probabilities against
it must be great, or some reasonable origin of the mistake must
be pointed out.
The latter can be done — not exactly as the statement about the
Gothini was explained, but in a somewhat similar manner. The
language that the people of the amber-coast really spoke when they
first become definitely known, was the Prussian. Now the form of
the name which that language took was sufficiently like the word
British to be mistaken for it.
1. First, we must remember that Tacitus's information came from
Germany.
2. Next, that the word meaning Prussian was not German. The
Germans got it from the Slavonians, and, consequently, were likely
to confound it with some more familiar term.
3. The word denoting British was such a familiar term.
4. The adjectival termination was nearly the same in both lan-
guages.
This prepares us for the evidence in favour of words at present so
unlike as Prussian and British ever having been like.
The first occurrence of the name of the modern kingdom of Prussia
occurs in Gaudentius, who accompanied Bishop Adalbert to that
country between a.d. 997 — 1006.
Zeuss, from whom, as usual, I am taking my best facts, admits
that the term was Slavonic. " Der Name wird zuerst — ohne Zweifel
von Slawen gehort." — p. 671.
He also suggests that no argument against its antiquity is to be
taken from its being there recorded by a German for the first time.
172 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
It might have been as old as the name Mstii. " 1st der Name Prusi
so alt, als der Name Aisten, wenn er auch mehr als ein Jahrtausend
spiiter auftritt." — Ibid.
Gaudentius's form is not Prussi but Pruzzi.
Dietmar's form is also not Prussi but Pruci.
Adam's of Bremen is also not Prussi but Pruzzi and Prutzci.
This shows that the sound was that of ts, or tsh, or, possibly, even
shish rather than of a simple -s ; a matter of some importance, as it
helps to account for the t required to make the root Pruss- like the
root Brit-.
Now comes the important fact thai, we find the word taking an
adjectival form in -en, in which case the s becomes tk. The substan-
tival forms are Pruzzi, Prussi, Pruscia, Pruschia, Prutzci, Prussia ;
but the adjectival ones are Prutheni, Pruthenia, Pruthenicus. We
are now gecting near the form Britannicus ; and it must be remem-
bered that the form thus similar, is the form almost always used
when the language is spoken of — lingua Prulhenica not Prima.
The root Puss undergoes a similar series of transformation —
Russi, Russia, Ruthenicus, Ruihenia.
Lastly, the form Borussi accounts for the B.
All this, however, it may be said, applies to the Latin language,
and is, consequently, out of place ; the question being whether
Slavonian forms of the root Prus can become sufficiently like an
equivalent modification of the root Brit- to create confusion. They
can. The Slavonic word which a German would translate by
Brittisc, and a Roman by Britannica, would be Brit-skaja, and the
similar equivalent to Pruttisc and Pruthenica, Prut-s/coya.
This gives us then the iEstii and Gothones (or rather the iEstii
or Gothones) as the representatives of the old Prussians or Lithu-
anian Sarmatians of the Baltic.
In the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries, when infor-
mation becomes sufficiently clear to give us the details of the nations
and tribes allied to the jEstii, we find them to be as follows : —
1. The Galind-itce, the TaXivdat of Ptolemy.
2. The Sudo-vitce, conterminous with the Galinditoe, both being
in the neighbourhood of the Spirding-See.
3. The Pomesani, on the right bank of the Lower Vistula.
4. Pogesani on the Frische Haf.
5. Warmienses, Jarmenses, Hermini, and the people of the Orma-
and of the Old Norse Sagas ; between the Po-gesani and the —
NOTES ON SECTION XLV. 173
6. Naitangi, on the Pregel.
7. Barthi.
8. Nadro-vitae. — A case may, perhaps, be made out for the Nadro-
vitce being the Nahar-vali, under a slightly modified name ; the
facts and reasoning running thus : —
a. Both agree in being a population to which the preeminently
holy seat of worship of their stock belonged. Thus, whilst the
Naharvali were as they are described by Tacitus, the IS&dro-vitce,
obstinate in their Paganism, above even the other obstinately Pagan
Lithuanians, are thus described : — " Fuit autem in medio nationis
hujus perversa^ scilicet in Nadrovia, locus quidam didus Eomow,
trahens nomen suum a Roma, in quo habitabat quidam dictus Criwe,
quern colebant pro Papa. Quia sicut dominus Papa regit univer-
salem ecclesiam fidelium, ita ad istius nutum seu mandatum non
solum gentes prcedictos, sed et Lethowini et alias nationes Livonia^
terras regebantur" — Dusb. iii. 5.
b. The -d- in Nadro- may be got rid of by supposing some older
form Nador, in which case, the ejection of the -d- is not only allow-
able but likely ; since it is a consonant which, when it comes between
two vowels, is often omitted in pronunciation, e.g., Sa-d-el in Danish
is sounded Sa'el, &c. This would reduce Nador- to Naor-, or Naliar-.
c. The elements -vit and -gal, if they do not exactly replace each
other in certain Lithuanic names, are found attached to the same root
in the words S&mo-gitce (also Samo-wfce), and Qemi-galli, the names
of two scarcely distinguishable sections (or subsections) of the same
population.
9. Sam-bike.
10. Scalo- vito3.
These details nearly coincide with the more general account of
Dusburg (iii. 3). — " Terra Pruschise in undecim partes dividitur.
Prima fuit Cidmensis et Lubavia, quse ante introiturn fratrum domus
Teutonics quasi fuerat desolata. Secunda Pomesania, in qua Pome-
sani. Tertia Pogesania, in qua Pogesani. Quarta Warmia, in qua
Warmienses. Quinta Nattangia, in qua Nattangi. Sexta Sambia,
in qua Sambitos. Septima Nadrovia, in qua JVadrovita?. Octava
Scalovia, in qua Scalovitas. Nona Sudovia, in qua Sudovitce. Decima
Galindia. Undecima Barihe et Plica Bariha, quce nunc major et
minor Bartha dicitur, in qua Barthi vel Barthenses habitabant. Vix
aliqua istarum nationum fuit, quse non haberet ad bellum duo millia
virorum equitum, et multa millia pugnatorum."
174 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
These were the tribes and nations akin to the JEstll of Tacitus
in East and West Prussia — the speakers of the language which was
said to be Britanniae propior, and which really was Pruthenica*
All the previous names were native and Lithuanian, since there
was a native Lithuanian eponymus for each, as may be seen in the
following extract from a fragment of a work, De Borussorum
origine ex Domino Christiano j Christian being the first Prussian
bishop. — " Duces fuere duo, nempe Bruteno et Wudawutto, quorum
alterum scilicet Bruteno sacerdotem crearunt, alterum scilicet Wud-
awutto in regem elegerunt . . Rex Wudawutto duodecim liberos
masculos habebat, quorum nomina fuerunt Litpho, Saimo, Sudo,
Naidro, Scalaivo, Natango, Bartho, Galindo, Warmo, Hoggo, Pomeszo,
Chelmo . . . Warmo nonus filius Wudawutti, a quo Warmia dicta,
reliquit uxorem Anna, unde Ermelandt/'
Of Courland and Livonia, the JEstii of authentic history, and
under their native names, are —
1. The Curi, or Curones, from whom is derived the name of the
country.
2, 3, 4. The Letti, Ydumei and Selones of Livonia.
6 Sitonum — femina dominatur.~\ — I cannot say to whose well-
exercised ingenuity the interpretation of this curious passage is due.
It is as follows : —
The native name of the Finns of Finland (when they do not call
themselves Suomelainen) is Qvam.
The Swedish for woman is quinna.
Either a misinterpretation of these two words, or else an ill-under-
stood play upon them, gave rise to the notion of a female sovereign.
This notion develops itself further. Alfred speaks of the Cvenas,
and Cvena-land : but Adam of Bremen goes farther. — " Gothi habi-
tant usque ad Bircam, postea longis terrarum spatiis regnant Sveones
usque ad terram feminarum." — De Situ Danise, c. 222. " Et haec
quidem insula terra? feminarum proxima narratur." — Ibid. 224.
* How like, and how different, the two adjectives may be, is shown in
the following columns : —
English . . British . . Prussian.
Latin . . Britannica . Pruthenica.
Anglo-Saxon . Bryttisce . . Pryttisce.
Slavonic . . Britskaja . . Prutskaja.
Observe, too, that the names of both the Prussians and Britons is a form of
the root Br-t.
NOTES ON SECTION XLV. 175
a se viriliter repellunt." — C. 228.
Femina dominatur. — That a female should exercise regal power
was extraordinary, not so much in the eyes of Tacitus (who, in
the case of the British Boadicea, mentioned by him in the Agri-
cola, merely remarks, neque enim sexum in imperiis discernunt,
without any suggestion of the extent to which it is the measure of
a servile temper on the part of the nation), but in those of the
Germans who were the first informants about the Sitones. So
early was the spirit which dictated the Salic law in force.
XLVI. Peucinorum, Venedorumque, et Femiorum
nationes Germanis an Sarmatis adscribam dubito :
quamquam Peucini, quos quidam Bastarnas 1 vocant,
sermone, cultu, sede, ac domiciliis, ut Germani agunt :
sordes omnium ac torpor : procerum connubiis mixtis,
nonnihil in Sarmatarum habitum foedantur. Venedi 2
multum ex moribus traxerunt. Nam quidquid inter
Peucinos Fennosque 3 sil varum ac montium erigitur,
latrociniis pererrant. Hi tamen inter German os po-
tius referuntur, quia et domos fingunt, et scuta ge-
stant, et pedum usu ac pernicitate gaudent ; quae
omnia diversa Sarmatis sunt, in plaustro equoque vi-
ventibus. Fennis mira feritas, foeda paupertas : non
arma, non equi, non penates : victui herba, vestitui
pelles : cubile humus : sola in sagittis spes, quas inopia
ferri, ossibus asperant. Idemque venatus viros pa-
riter ac feminas alit. Passim enim comitantur, par-
temque prsedse petunt. Nee aliud infantibus ferarum
imbriumque suffugium, quam ut in aliquo ramorum
nexu contegantur : hue redeunt juvenes, hoc senum
17G THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
receptaculum. Sed beatius arbitrantur, quara inge-
mere agris, illaborare domibus, suas alienasque for-
tunas spe metuque versare. Securi adversus homines,
securi' ad versus deos, rem difficillimam adsecuti sunt,
ut illis ne voto quidem opus esset. Cetera jam fa-
bulosa : " Hellusios et Oxionas 4 ora liominum vul-
tusque, corpora atque artus ferarum gerere:" quod
ego, ut incompertum, in medium relinquam.
NOTES ON SECTION XLYI.
1 Peucini — Bastarnas.] — The Bastamae took a prominent part in
the wars of Philip, the father of Perseus, against the Romans.
Persuaded to become his allies, they cross the Danube ; Cotto, one of
their nobles, being sent forward as ambassador. It was part of
Philip's plan to place the Bastarnse in the country of the Dardani,
so that this latter nation (infestissima Macedonia?) might be destroyed
by them, and then " Bastarnce, relictis in Dardania conjugihus libe-
risque, ad populandum Italiam mdtterentur."
They enter Thrace, the Thraciaus retire to Mount Donuca. Here
the Bastarnse divide. Thirty thousand reach Dardania. The rest
cross the Danube homewards. All this took place in the year of
the death of Philip.— Livy, xl. 57, 58.
Strabo's evidence is remarkable : — 'Ev %e rp ixtooyaia. Baorapvai
[lev toic Tvpiyiratc opopoi teal TeppavoLg, ayelov ti kcli avrol rov
Ytpfiavucov yivovg ovteq, tig 7r\eiio 0u\a $ir)pr)fxivoi. Kat yap
"Ar/Jiovot Xeyovrai rivac* Kat 2i£dvfc, oi Be rrjv lievicrjy Karao^rWee,
ri)y kv Tu>"laTpa) vfjaov, HevKtvoi.
This seems the evidence upon which they are made German :
Pliny having done so before, " Germanorum genera quinque —
Quinta pars Peucini, Basternce . . con termini Dacis." — H. N. iv. 14.
This has given the Bastarnse great prominence in ethnology ;
since they have the credit of being the first Germans mentioned by
name in history.
Again — if the Basternae be German, the likelihood of the Getse
being so is increased ; and the two supposed facts reflect probability
on each other. Complications of this sort are of continual occurrence
in ethnology.
NOTES ON SECTION XLVI. 177
It is just possible that the Bastarnse were Germans — not that I
mean by this that the proper area of the Germans reached so far as
Thrace and Moesia, the Bastarnic locality, but that the Germans of
the Danube, might have begun their encroachments in an easterly
direction thus early, and have reached thus far. They might have
been intrusive Germans in the quarters where Livy places them.
But it is far from being certain that even this supposition is
necessary. Strabo's statement merely goes to their exhibiting Ger-
man characteristics, and having Germans in their neighbourhood.
Pliny is rarely to be taken as an independent witness. Tacitus
speaks explicitly as to the most characteristic facts ; yet doubts as
to the inference from them. In one point he is either wrong or in-
explicable. If sede mean geographical position, his statement is
wholly incompatible _with all that writers say about the locality
of the Bastarnae (on the Lower Danube), and the limits of his own
Germania.
I think we may safely say that, in the passage of Strabo which
makes the Bastarnae German, there is a qualifying expression of doubt,
and in that of Tacitus doubt and unsatisfactory language as well.
Reference to other writers increases rather than diminishes the
complications.
Livy's evidence makes them Gauls ; since he calls their leader in
one place Clondicus dux Bastarnarum (xl. 58) and in another
(applying to the same series of events) Clondicus, regulus Gallorum
(xliv. 26).
He also writes — " Per Scordiscos iter esse ad mare Hadriaticum
Italiamque. Alia via traduci exercitum non posse. Facile Bas-
tarnis Scordiscos iter daturos ; nee enim aut lingua aut moribus
tequales abhorrere."
Now whenever the Scordisci are referred to any of the recog-
nized divisions of antiquity, they are called VaXdrai, or Galli—
whether rightly or wrongly is another question.
Plutarch does the same as Livy — 'YttekIvel Ee (nempe Perseus) kcu
VaXdrar, tovq irEpl rov"l(JTpov IV. THE NOTICE OF GERMANY IN TTOLEMY.
The German part of Ptolemy's geography is more truly a
complement to the Germania of Tacitus, than any other
work extant ; since two areas, but slightly noticed by the
Latin writer, are given by the Greek one with a fair
amount of detail. These are, —
a. The country to the east of the Upper Rhine, wherein
we find such new names as Nertereanes, Danduti, &c. =the
Hermanduri of Suabia, Franconia, Baden, and Bavaria.
b. The parts to the north of the Elbe, viz., Holstein,
Sleswick, and Jutland, along with a portion of Scandinavia.
This gives such names as Sigulones, Phundusii, &c.
It is, perhaps, almost superfluous to add, that Ptolemy is
the first author who mentions the Saxons by that name.
As with Strabo, the names printed with their letters wider
apart than usual, will be subjected to further notice in a
special section (§).
GERMAN. LIB. II. C XI.
8. Kare-xpvai Se t?}? Yepp,avia) tcov "EXovrjTLcov eprjpbos
p*&XP l r ™ v ^lpVI Jb ^ V(0V AXirlcov opecov.
11. Tr)v he irapcotceavlTiv Kare^ovcriv VTrep pbev rov<;
BovcraKTepov? ol (ppiacriot jJ>expt tov Apbacrlov nrorapLOV'
fiSTa he tovtovs Kay^oi ol pu/cpol ftexP 1, rou Ovierovpybos
7Tora/jiov' elra Kav^oi ol fiel^ov? p-e^pc tov "AXSlos ttotu-
fiov' icpe^rjs he eirl tov at^era Trjs KipbSpiferjs Xepcrovrjcrov
2a^oi/69* avrr)v he tt)v Xepcrovrjcrov vivep pbev TOt»9 2,d%ovaovvhovcrot, dvaroXiteeoTepoi he Xapovhes, irdv-
tcov he dpKTLKcbrepoL Kt/xSpoi.
13. Merd Be toi»? 2apohe lvo L
14. E2texpi tov OviaTovXa
tcarexbvTcov.
16. 'EXdcrcrova he Wvr) teal fiera^v teetVTai — Kav^cov
fiev rcov pbitcpcov teal tcov ~2ov>']ocov BoverdtCTepoi, ol pbel&v;
vcf)' ovs Xaifiat' Kair^wv he tcov puet^ovcov teal tcov '2ov)j§cov
Ayyptovdpior
17. Elra AayyoSdphor vcf ov? AovXyovpbvior 2afo-
vcov he /cal twv 1,ovij§cov TevTOVodp(c)o i teal Ovipovvot,
<$>apoheivcov he teal ^ovtj&cov Tcvto ves teal Avapiroi' 'Povtl-
tcXelcov he teal Bovyovvrcov AlXovalcove^.
18. YldXiv virb pbev tovs SeyLtvova? oltcovert ^tXtyyai, virb
he Tovq BovyovvTa<; Aovy(i)oc ol ^Opuavvol, vtf> ov$ Aovy(i)oi
ol Aovvoi pbeXP 1 T0V ^o-Kb^ovpylov opov;.
Vlll THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
19. 'T7ro Be tou? 'SiXlyyas KaXovKcoves icp 1 eKarepa rov
'AXv. '09 Trorajiov, vtf) oi><; XaipovaKol teal Xapcavol yue^pt
rov ~Mt]\i£6kov opovs.
20. P I2v 7rpo? dvaro\as irepl rov "AXGlv irorapbbv Baivo-
yal^iai, virep ovs Bareivol, Kal ere inrep tovtov? vtto to
'Aa/ciSovpyiO)' <"'po9 Kop/covrol Kal Aovy(i)ot ol Bovpot p-£%pi
T>}9 K6(f)a\T]9 Xapuavovs Xdrrat, /ecu TovSavrot, Kal
virep ra ^ovBrjra op?) Tevpio^alp,ai, vtto he to opt] Ova-
plCTTOL.
24. Elra rj YapL&pi'ira vXrj, Kal vtto puev rovg Mapovly-
70U9 Ko vplco ves, elra Xairovcopoc, Kal P'^XP 1 T0V &.ctvov-
clov irorap,ov ol Yl ap pbatKapbiro c.
25. f T7ro Be ri]v Yap&ptfrav vXrjv MapKOfiavol, vcp' oi>9
SovBtjvoI, Kal p>£XP L T0V ActvovSlov irorapoov ol ABpa-
GaiKUpLTTOC.
26. 'Ttto Be rov 'OpKvvtov Bpvpbbv KovdBot, v(ji ov<; ra
o-iBripcopvxela Kal rj Aovva v\rj, vcf rjv p,eya edvos ol Balpbot
pLexpo rov AavovGtov, Kal avvex^ avrol^ irepl rov irorapcov
ol TepaKarp lat, Kal ol 777309 to?9 Kdp,iroi<$ 'YaKarat.
§ V. EXTRACTS FROM JORNANDES DE REBUS GETICIS.
Jornandes, an Ostro-G-oth by birth, was Bishop of Ravenna
about a.d. 530. The following extracts are given, for the
sake of showing the form which a mixture of tradition,
speculation, and heterogeneous accounts of other populations,
took in the hands of one of the first native Goths who
attended to the antiquities of his nation.
Having premised it was from the bosom of a northern
island named Scanzia, that his countrymen came, like a
swarm of bees, into Europe, and after a reference to Ptolemy
he continues —
EPILEGOMENA. IX
In Scanzia vero insula, unde nobis sermo est, licet multse
et diversse maneant nationes, septem tamen earum nomina
meminit Ptolemaeus. In cujus parte aretoa gens Adogit
consistit, quse fertur in sestate media quadraginta diebus et
noctibus luces habere continuas; itemque brumali tempore,
eodem dierum noctiumque numero lucem claram nescire. Ita
alternato moerore cum gaudio, beneficio aliis damnoque impar
est. Et hoc quare? Quia prolixioribus diebus solem ad
orientem per axis margin em vident redeuntem : brevioribus
rero non sic conspicitur apud illos, sed aliter ; quia Austrina
signa percurrit, et qui nobis videtur sol ab imo surgere, illis
per terra? marginem dicitur circuire. Alise vero ibi gentes
Crefennse, qui frumentorum non queeritant victum : sed car-
nibus ferarum atque avium vivunt. Ubi tanta paludibus
fetura ponitur, ut et augmentum praestent generi, et satie-
tatem ac copiam genti. Alia vero gens ibi moratur Suethans,
quse velut Thuringi, equis utuntur eximiis. Hi quoque sunt,
qui in usus Romanorum Saphirinas pelles commercio interve-
niente per alias innumeras gentes transmittunt, famosi pellium
decora nigredine. Hi quum inopes vivunt, ditissime vesti-
untur. Sequuntur deinde diversarum turbae nationum, Theu-
sthes, Vagoth, Bergio, Hallin, Liothida, quorum omnium
sedes sub humo plana ac fertili, et propterea inibi aliarum
gentium incursionibus infestantur. Post hos Athelnil, Fin-
naithse, Fervir, Gautigoth, acre hominum genus, et ad bella
promptissimum. Dehinc mixti Evagerae Othingis. Hi omnes
exesis rupibus, quasi castellis inhabitant, ritu beluino. Sunt
ex his exteriores Ostrogothae, Raumaricae, Raugnaricii, Finni
mitissimi, Scanziae cultoribus omnibus mitiores : necnon et
pares eorum Vinoviloth, Suethidi, Cogeni in hac gente reli-
quis corpore eminentiores, quamvis et Dani ex ipsorum stirpe
progressi, Erulos propriis sedibus expulerunt : qui inter omnes
Scanzise nationes nomen sibi ob nimiam proceritatem affectant
prsecipuum. Sunt quanquam et illorum positura Grannii,
Aganzise, Unixse, Ethelrugi, Arochiranni, quibus non ante
omnes, sed ante multos annos Rodulf rex fuit : qui contempto
proprio regno, ad Theoderici Gothorum regis gremium convo-
lavit, et ut desiderabat, invenit. Hae itaque gentes Romanis
corpore et amnio grandiores, infesta? saavitia pugnae.
X THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Ex hac igitur Scanzia insula, quasi officina gentium, aut
eerte velut vagina nationum, cum rege suo nomine Berich
Gothi quondam memorantur egressi : qui ut primum e navibus
exeuntes terras attigere, illico loco nomen detlerunt. Nam
hodie illic, ut fertur, Gothiscanzia vocatur. Unde mox pro-
moventes ad sedes Ulmerugorum, qui tunc Oceani ripas insi-
debant, castrametati sunt, eosque commisso proelio propriis
sedibus pepulerunt : eorumque vicinos Wandalos jam tunc
subjugantes, suis applicuere victoriis. Ibi vero magna populi
nvimerositate crescente, etiam pene quinto rege regnante, post
Berich, Filimer, filio Godarici, consilio sedit, ut exinde cum
familiis Gothorum promoveret exercitus. Qui aptissimas sedes,
locaque dum qutereret congrua, pervenit ad Scythise terras,
quse lingua coram Ouin vocabantur. Ubi delectato magna
ubertate regionum exercitu, et medietate transposita, pons
dicitur, unde amnem transjecerat, miserabiliter corruisse, nee
ulterius jam cuiquam licuit ire, aut redire. Nam is locus, ut
fertur, tremulis paludibus voragine circumjecta coucluditur:
quem utraque confusione natura reddidit impervium. Verun-
tamen bodieque illic et voces armentorum audiri, et indicia
hominum deprehendi, commeantium adtestatione, quamvis a
longe audientium, credere licet. Hsee igitur pars Gothorum,
quse apud Filimer dicitur in terras Ouin emenso amne trans-
posita, optatum potita solum : nee mora : illico ad gentem
Spalorum adveniunt, consertoque proelio victoriam adipi-
scuntur. Exindeque jam velut victores ad extremam Scythise
partem, quse Pontico mari vicina est, properant : quemad-
modum et in priscis eorum carminibus pene historico ritu in
commune recolitur : quod et Ablavius descriptor Gothorum
gentis egregius verissima adtestatur historia. In quam sen-
tentiam et nonnulli consensere majorum. Josephus quoque
annalium relator verissimus, dum ubique veritatis conservat
regulam, et origines causarum a principio revolvit, hsec vero,
quae diximus, de gente Gothorum principia cur omiserit, igno-
ramus. Sed tamen ab hoc loco eorum stirpem commemorans,
Scythas eos et natione et vocabulo asserit appellatos : cujus
soli terminos, antequam aliud ad medium deducamus, necesse
est, uti jaceant, dicere.
Scythia siquidem Germanise terrse confinis, eotenus ubi
EPILEGOMENA. XI
Hister oritur amnis, vel stagnum dilatatur Mysianum, tendens
usque ad flumina Tyrani, Danastrum, et Vagosolam, ma-
gnumque ilium Danubium, Taurumque montem, non ilium
Asiae, sed proprium, id est Scythicum, per omnem Maeotidis
ambitum, ultraque Maeotida, per angustias Bospori usque ad
Oaucasum montem, amnemque Araxem : ac deinde in sini-
stram partem reflexa, post mare Caspium, qua? in extremis
Asise finibus ab Oceano Euroboreo, in modum fungi primum
tenuis, post haec latissima et rotunda forma exoritur, vergens
ad Hunnos, Albanos, et Seres usque digreditur. Hsec inquam
patria, id est Scythia, longe se tendens, lateque aperiens,
habet ab oriente Seres, in ipso sui principio ad litus Oaspii
maris commanantes ; ab occidente Germanos, et flumen Vi-
stula? ; ab arctoo, id est septentrionali, circumdatur Oceano :
a meridie Perside, Albania, Hiberia, Ponto, atque extremo
alveo Histri, qui dicitur Danubius, ab ostio suo usque ad
fontem. In eo vero loci latere, quo Ponticum litus attingit,
oppidis baud obscuris involvitur, Boristhenide, Olbia, Calli-
pode, Chersone, Theodosio, Pareone, Mirmycione, et Trape-
zunte : quas indomitee Scytharum nationes Grsecos permisere
condere, sibimet commercia praestaturos. In cujus Scythiae
medio est locus, qui Asiam Europamque ab alterutro dividit.
Riphaei scilicet monies, qui Tana'in vastissimum fundunt in-
trantem Mseotida ; cujus paludis circuitus passuum millia
cxliiii, nusquam octo ulnis altius subsidentis. In qua Scythia
prima ab occidente gens sedit Gepidarum, quae magnis opina-
tisque ambitur fluminibus. Nam Tisianus per aquilonem ejus
corumque discurrit. Ab Africo vero magnus ipse Danu-
bius, ab euro fluvius Tausis secat : qui rapidus ac verticosus
in Histri fluenta furens devolvitur. Introrsus illi Dacia est,
ad coronae speciem arduis Alpibus emunita : juxta quorum
sinistrum latus, quod in aquilonem vergit, et ab ortu Vistula?
numinis per immensa spatia venit, Winidarum natio populosa
consedit. Quorum nomina licet nunc per varias familias et
loca mutentur, principaliter tamen Sclavini et Antes nomi-
nantur. Sclavini a civitate nova, et Sclavino Rumunnense, et
lacu qui appellatur Musianus, usque ad Danastrum, et in bo-
ream Viscla tenus commorantur : hi paludes sylvasque pro
civitatibus habent. Antes vero, qui sunt eorum fortissimi,
Xll THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
qui ad Ponticum mare curvantur, a Danastro extenduntur
usque ad Danubium : quae flumina multis mansionibus ab
invicem absunt. Ad litus autem Oeeaui, ubi tribus faucibus
fluenta Vistulse fluminis ebibuntur, Vidioarii resident, ex di-
versis nationibus aggregati. Post quos ripam Oceani Itemesti
tenent, pacatum hominum genus omnino. Quibus in austro
adsedit gens Agazzirorum fortissima, frugurn ignara, qua3
pecoribus et venationibus victitat. Ultra quos distenduntur
supra mare Ponticum Bulgarorum sedes, quos notissimos pec-
catorum nostrorum mala fecere. Hinc jam Hunni, quasi
fortissimarum gentium foecundissimus cespes, in bifariam popu-
lorum rabiem pullularunt. Nam alii Aulziagri, alii Auiri
nuncupantur, qui tamen sedes babent diversas. Juxta Clier-
sonem Aulziagri, quo Asia? bona avidus mercator importat,
qui aestate campos pervagantur eftusos, sedes liabentes, prout
armentorum invitaverint pabula ; hyeme supra mare Ponti-
cum so referentes. Hunugari autem bine sunt noti, quia ab
ipsis pellium murinarum venit commercium : quos tantorum
virorum Pormidavit audacia. Quorum mansionem primam
esse in Scythise solo, juxta paludem Ma;otidem, secundo in
Moesia, Thraciaque, et Dacia, tertio supra mare Ponticum,
rursus in Scythia legimus habitasse : nee eorum fabulas ali-
cubi reperimus scriptas, qui eos dicunt in Britannia, vel in una
qualibet insularum in servitutem redactos, et unius caballi
pretio quondam redemptos. Aut certe si quis eos aliter di-
xerit in nostro orbe, quam quod nos diximus, fuisse exortos,
nobis aliquid obstrepit : nos enim potius lectioni credimus,
quam fabulis anilibus consentimus. Ut ergo ad nostrum pro-
positum redeamus, in prima parte Scythia? juxta Mseotidem
commanentes prsefati, unde loquimur, Filimer regem habuisse
noscuntur. In secundo, id est, Dacia?, Thraciseque et Mcesiae
solo Zamolxen, quern mirse pliilosopbicse eruditionis fuisse
testantur plerique scriptores annalium. Nam et Zeutam prius
habuerunt eruditum, post etiam Diceneum, tertium Zamolxen,
de quo superius diximus. Nee defuerunt, qui eos sapientiam
erudirent. Unde et pene omnibus barbaris Gothi sapientiores
semper extiterunt, Grsecisque pene consimiles, ut refert Dio,
qui historias eorum annalesque Grseco stilo composuit. Qui
dixit primum Tarabosteos, deinde vocitatos Pileatos bos, qui
EPILEGOMENA. Xlll
inter eos generosi extabant ; ex quibus eis et reges, et sacer-
dotes ordinabantur. Adeo ergo fuere laudati Getse, ut dudum
Martem, quern poetarum fallacia deum belli pronunciat, apucl
eos fuisse dicant exortum. Unde et Virgilius,
"Gradivumque patrem, Geticis qui prsesidet arvis."
Quem Martem Gothi semper asperrima placavere cultura.
Nam victimse ejus mortes fuere captorum, opinantes bellorum
preesulem aptius humani sanguinis efFusione placandnm. Huic
prsedse primordia vovebantur, huic truncis suspendebantur ex-
uviee : eratque illis religionis prseter cseteros insinuatus aife-
ctus, quum parenti devotio nominis videretur impendi. Tertia
vero sedes supra mare Ponticum. Jam humaniores, et, ut
superins diximus, prudentiores effecti, divisi per familias
populi, Wesegothse familiee Balthorum, Ostrogothse prgeclaris
Amalis serviebant. Quorum studium fait primnm, inter alias
gentes vicinas, arcus intendere nervis ; Lucano, plus historico
quam poeta, testante,
K Armeniosque arcus Geticis intendere nervis."
Ante quos etiam cantu majorum facta modulationibus citha-
risque canebant, Ethespamarse, Hanalse, Fridigerni, Widi-
cula3, et aliorum, quorum in hac gente magna opinio est,
quales vix heroas fuisse miranda jactat antiquitas. Tunc, ut
fertur, Vesoces Scythis lachrymabile sibi potius intulit bellum,
eis videlicet, quos Amazonum viros prisca tradit auctoritas.
De queis feminas bellatrices et Orosius in primo volumine pro-
fessa voce testatur. Unde cum Gothis eum dimicasse evi-
denter probamus, quem cum Amazonum viris absolute pu-
gnasse cognoscimus : qui tunc a Boristbene amne, quem accola?
Danubium vocant, usque ad Tanain fluvium, circa sinum palu-
dis MaBotidis considebant. Tanain vero hunc dico, qui ex
Ripheis montibus dejectus adeo prseceps ruit, ut quum vicina
flumina, sive Meeotis, vel Bosporus gelu solidentur, solus
amnium confragosis montibus vaporatus, nunquam Scythico
durescit algore. Hie inter Asiam Europamque terminus fa-
mosus habetur : nam alter est ille, qui montibus Chrinnorum
oriens, in Caspium mare dilabitur. Danubius autem ortus
grandi palude, quasi ex mari profunditur. Hie usque ad
XIV THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
medium sui dulcis est et potabilis, piscesque nimii saporis
gignit, ossibus carentes, cartilagiuem tantum habentes in cor-
poris continentiam. Sed ubi fit Ponto vicinior, parvum
fontem suseipit, cui* ex Amplieo cognomen est, adeo amarum,
ut cum sit xl. dierum itinere navigabilis, hujus aquis exiguis
immutetur, infestusque ac dissimilis sui, inter Groeca oppida
Callipidas et Hipanis, in mare defluat. Ad cnjus ostia insula
est in fronte, A chillis nomine. Inter hos terra vastissima,
silvis consita, paludibus dubia.
Hie ergo Gothis morantibus, Vesoces iEgyptiorum rex
in bellum irruit : quibus tunc Taunasis rex erat. Quo proelio
ad Phasim fluvium, a quo Phasides aves exortse, in toto
mundo eduliis potentum exuberant, Taunasis Gothorum rex
Vesoci ^Egyptiorum occurrit, eumque graviter debellans, in
iEgyptum usque persecutus est : et nisi Nili amnis intrans-
meabilis obstitissent fluenta, vel munitiones, quas dudum sibi,
ob incursiones iEthiopum Vesocis fieri prsecepisset, ibi in ejus
cum patria extinxisset. Sed dum eum semper ibi positum
non valuisset laedere, revertens pene omnem Asiam subjugavit,
et sibi tunc caro amico Sorno rege Medorum ad persolven-
dum tributum, subditum fecit. Ex cujus exercitu victores
tunc nonnulli provincias subditas contuentes, et in omni ferti-
litate pollentes, deserto suorum agmine sponte in Asiee par-
tibus resederunt. Ex quorum nomine vel genere Trogus
Pompeius Parthorum dicit extitisse prosapiam. Unde etiam
hodieque lingua Scythica fugaces, quod est Parthi, dicuntur :
suoque generi respondentes, inter omnes pene Asiee nationes
soli sagittarii sunt, et acerrimi bellatores. De nomine vero,
quod diximus eos Parthos, id est fugaces, ita aliquanti etymo-
logiam traxerunt, ut dicerentur Parthi, quia suos refugere
parentes. Hunc ergo Taunasim regem Gothorum mortuum
inter numina sui populi coluerunt.
Post cujus decessum exercitu ejus cum snecessore ipsius
in aliis partibus expeditionem gerente, feminse Gothorum a
quadam vicina gente tentatse, in prsedamque ducta? a viris,
fortiter restiterunt, hostesque super se venientes cum magna
verecundia abegerunt. Qua parata victoria, fretseque majori
audacia, invicem se cohortantes, arma arripiunt, eligentesque
* Compare Herodotus, iv. 52.
EPILEGOMENA. XV
duas audaciores Lampeto* et Marpesiam principatui subroga-
runt. Quae dura curam gerunt, tit propria defenderent, et
aliena vastarent, sortito Lampeto restitit, fines patrios tuendo.
Marpesia vero feminarum agrnine sumpto, novum genus exer-
citus duxit in Asiam, diversasque gentes bello superans, alias
vero pace concilians, ad Oaucasum venit : ibique certum tempus
demorans, loco nomen dedit, Saxum Marpesise. Unde Virgilius,
" Quam si dura silex aut stet Marpesia cautes."
In eo loco ubi post beec Alexander Magnus portas constituens,
Pylas Caspias nominavit : quod nunc Lazorum gens custodit
pro munitione Eomana. Hie ergo certum temporis Amazones
commanentes confortatse sunt. Unde egressse, et Alym flu-
vium, qui juxta Gargarum civitatem prseterfluit, transeuntes,
Armeniam, Syriam, Ciliciamque, Galatiam, Pisidiam, omni-
aque Asise oppida, sequa felicitate domuerunt : Ionium, ^Eoli-
amque conversse, deditas sibi provincias effecerunt. Ubi
diutius dominantes, etiam civitates castraque suo nomini dica-
verunt. Ephesi quoque templum Diansc, ob sagittandi venan-
dique studium, quibus se artibus tradidissent, effusis opibus,
mirse pulcbritudinis condiderunt. Tali ergo Seythicae gentis
feminse casu Asise regno potitae, per centum pene annos tenue-
runt, et sic demum ad proprias socias in cautes Marpesias,
quas superius diximus, repedarunt, in montem scilicet Oau-
casum. Oujus montis, quia facta iterum mentio est, non ab re
arbitror ejus tractum situmque describere, quando maximam
partem orbis noscitur circuire jugo continuo. Caucasus ab
Indico mari surgens, qua meridiem respicit, sole vaporatus
ardescit. Qua septentrioni patet, rigentibus ventis est ob-
noxius et pruinis. Mox in Syriam curvato angulo reflexus,
licet amnium plurimos emittat, in Asianam tamen regionem
Eufratem Tigrimque navigeros. ad opinionem maximam per-
ennium fontium, copiosis fundit uberibus. Qui amplexantes
terras Assyriorum, Mesopotamiam appellari faciunt, et videri ;
in sinum maris Rubri fluenta deponentes. Tunc in boream
revertens, Scythias terras, jugum antefatum magnis flexibus
pervagatur: atque ibidem opinatissima flumina in Oaspium
mare profundens, Araxem, Oyssum, et Oambysen, continuato
* This is the name of one of the viragoes of the Lysislrala.
XVI THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
jugo ad Ripheos usque montes extenditur. Indeque Scy-
thicis gentibus dorso suo terminum pra3beus, ad Poiitum usque
descendit : consertisque collibus, Histri quoque fluenta con-
tingit, quo amnis scissus debisceus, in Scytbia quoque Taurus
vocatur. Talis ergo tantusque, et pene omnium maximus,
excelsas suas erigens summitates, natural i constructioni pra>
stat gentibus inexpugnanda munimina. Nam locatim rescisus,
qua disrupto jugo vallis hiatu patescit, nunc Caspias portas,
nunc Armenias, nunc Cilicas, vel secundum locum qualis
fuerit, facit ; vix tamen plaustro meabilis, lateribus in altitu-
dinem utrimque directis, qui pro gentium varietate diverso
vocabulo nuncupatur. Hunc enim Iamnium, mox Propanismum
Indus appellat. Partlius primum Castra, post Nifacen edicit.
Syrus et Armenius Taurum ; Scythse Caucasum ac Ripheum,
iterumque in fine Taurum cognominant : aliaque complura
gentes huicjugo dedere vocabula. Et quia de ejus continuatione
pauca libavimus, ad Amazones, unde divertimus, redeamus.
Verita? hse, ne earum proles raresceret, a vicinis gentibus
concubitum petierunt ; facta nundina semel in anno, ita ut
futuris temporibus eis deinde revertentibus in idipsum, quic-
quid partus masculini edidisset, patri redderet : quicquid vero
feminei sexus nasceretur, mater ad arma bellica erudiret.
Sive, ut quibusdam placet, editis maribus, novercali odio in-
fantis miserandi fata rumpebant : ita apud illas detestabile
puerperium erat, quod ubique constat esse votivum. Quae
crudelitas illis terrorem magnum cumulabat, opinione vulgata.
Nam qua?, rogo, spes esset capto, ubi ignosci vel filio nefas
habebatur ? Contra has, ut fertur, pugnabat Hercules ; et
Melanes pene plus dolo, quam virtute subegit. Theseus vero
Hippoliten in prsedam tulit, de qua genuit et Hippolytum.
Hse quoque Amazones post hsec habuere reginam nomine Pen-
thesileam, cujus Trojano bello extant clarissima documenta.
Nam hse feminse usque ad Alexandrum Magnum referuntur
tenuisse regnum.
Sed ne dicas, de viris Gothorum sermo adsumptus, cur in
feminis tamdiu perseveret : audi et virorum insignem et lau-
dabilem et fortitudinem. Dio historicus, et antiquitatum dili-
gentissimus inquisitor, qui operi suo Getica titulum dedit
(quos Getas jam superiori loco Gothos esse probavimus,
EPILEGOMENA. XV11
Orosio Paulo clicente); hie Dio regem illis post tempora multa
commemorat, nomine Telephum. Ne vero quis dicat hoc
nomen a lingua Gothica omnino peregrinum esse, nemo est
qui nesciat animadverti, usu pleraque nomina gentes amplecti,
ut Romani Macedonum, Grseci Romanorum, Sarmatee Ger-
manorum, Gothi plerumque mutuantur Hunnorum. Is ergo
Telephus Herculis filius, natus ex Auge sorore Priami, con-
jugio copulatus, procerus quidem corpore, sed plus vigore
terribilis, paternam fortitudinem propriis virtutibus sequans,
Herculis genio formse quoque similitudinem referebat. Hujus
itaque regnum Moesiam appellavere majores. Quse provincia
ab oriente ostia fluminis Danubii, a meridie Macedoniam, ab
occasu Histriam, a septentrione Danubium habet. Is ergo
antefatus habuit bellum cum Danais, in qua pugna Thessan-
drum ducem GrEecige interemit ; et dum Ajacem infestus
invadit, Ulyssemque persequitur, equo cadente, ipse corruit,
Achillisque jaculo femore sauciatus, diu mederi nequivit :
Grsecos tamen, quamvis jam saucius, e suis finibus proturbavit.
Telepho vero defuncto, Eurypilus filius successit in regno, ex
Priami Phrygum regis germana progenitus. Qui ob Oassan-
drse amorem bello interesse Trojano, ac parentibus soceroque
ferre auxilium cupiens, mox ut venit extinctus est.
Cyrus rex Persarum post grande intervallum, et pene
post sexcentorum triginta annorum tempora, Pompeio Trogo
testante, Getarum reginee Tamiri, sibi exitiale, intulit bellum.
Qui elatus ex Asia? victoria, Getas nititur subjugare ; in qui-
bus (ut diximus) regnaverat Tamiris. Quse cum ab Araxe
amne Cyri arcere potuisset accessus, transire tamen permisit,
eligens armis eum vincere, quam locorum beneficio submovere :
quod et factum est. Et veniente Cyro, prima cessit fortuna
Parthis tanta, ut et filium Tamiris, et plurimum exercitum
trucidarent. Sed iterato Marte, Getee cum sua regina Par-
thos devictos superant atque prosteruunt, opimamque prsedam
de eis auferunt : ibique primum Gothorum gens serica vident
tentoria. Tunc Tamiris regina nacta victoria, tantaque
prseda de inimicis potita, in partem Moesise (qua? nunc ex
magna Scythia nomen mutuata, minor Scythia est appellata)
transiens, ibi in ponte Mcesise colitur, et Tamiris civitatem
suo de nomine sedificavit. Dehinc Darius rex Persarum,
XV111 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Hystaspis filius, Antyri regis Gothorum filiam in matrimonium
expostulavit, rogans paritcr atque deterrens, nisi suam pera-
gerent voluntatem. Cujus affinitatem Gothi spernentes, lega-
tionem ejus frustrarunt. Qui repulsus, furore flammatus est,'
et octoginta millia armatorum contra ipsos produxit exercitum,
vereeundiam suam malo publico vindicare contendens ; navi-
busque pcne a Chalccdonia usque ad Byzantium, ad instar
pontium tabulatis atque consertis, petit Thraciam et Mcesiam ;
ponteque rursus in Danubio pari modo constructo duobus
mensibus crebris fatigatus intaphis, octo millia perdidit arma-
torum. Timensque ne pons Danubii ab ejus adversariis oe-
cuparetur, celeri fuga in Thraciam repedavit : nee Moesia?
solum credens sibi tutum fore aliquantum remorandi. Post
cujus decessum iterum Xerxes filius ejus paternas injurias
ulcisci se sestimans, cum suis ducentis, et auxiliatorum tre-
centis millibus armatorum, rostratas naves habens mille septin-
gentas, et onerarias tria millia, super Gothos profectus ad bel-
lum ; nee tcntata re in conrlictu prsevaluit, animositate
constantise superatus. Sic namque ut venerat, absque aliquo
certamine suo cum rubore recessit. Philippus quoque pater
Alexandri Magni cum Gothis amicitias copulans, Medopam
Gothilse filiam regis accepit uxorem, ut tali aflinitate roboratus,
Macedonum regna firmaret. Qua tempestate, Dione historico
dicente, Philippus inopiam pecunise passus, Udisitanam Moe-
siae civitatem instructis copiis vastare deliberat, qua3 tunc
propter viciniam Tamiris, Gothis erat subjecta. Unde et
sacerdotes Gothorum aliqui, illi qui Pii vocabantur, subito
patefactis portis cum citharis et vestibus candidis obviam sunt
egressi paternis diis, ut sibi propitii Macedones repellerent,
voce supplici modulantes. Quos Macedones sic fiducialiter
sibi occurrere contuentes, stupescunt ; et si dici fas est, ab
mermibus tenentur armati. Nee mora, acie soluta, quam ad
bellum construxerunt, non tantum ab urbis excidio removere ;
verum etiam et quos foris fuerunt jure belli adepti, reddide-
runt, foedereque inito ad sua reversi sunt. Quern dolum post
longum tempus reminiscens egregius Gothorum ductor Si-
talcus, cl. virorum millibus congregatis, Atheniensibus intulit
bellum, adversus Perdiccam Macedonia? regem, quern Alex-
ander apud Babyloniam ministri insidiis potans interitum,
EPILEGOMENA. XIX
Atheniensium principatui hereditario jure reliquerat succes-
sorem. Magno prselio cum hoc inito, Gothi superiores inventi
sunt : et sic pro injuria, quam illi in Moesia dudum fecissent,
isti in Grseciam discurrentes, cunctani Macedoniam vastavere.
* * * * *
Turn Gothi haud segnes reperti, arnia capessunt, primo-
que armati conflictu mox Romanos devincunt : Fuscoque
duce extincto, divitias de castris militum despoliant, magna-
que potiti per loca victoria, jam proceres suos quasi qui fortuna
vincebant, non puros homines, sed semideos, id est Anses
vocavere. Quorum genealogiam paucis percurram ; ut quo
quis parente genitus est, aut unde origo accepta, ubi finem
efficit, absque invidia qui legis, vera dicentem ausculta.
Horum ergo (ut ipsi suis fabulis ferunt) primus fuit Gapt,
qui genuit Halmal ; Halmal vero genuit Augis ; Augis genuit
eum, qui dictus est Amala, a quo et origo Amalorum decurrit.
Et Amala genuit Isarnam ; Isarna autem genuit Ostrogo-
tham ; Ostrogotha genuit Unilt ; Unilt genuit Athal ; Athal
genuit Achiulf ; Achiulf genuit Ansilam et Ediulf, Vuldulf, et
Hermenrich ; Vuldulf vero genuit Valeravans ; Valeravans
autem genuit Winitharium ; Winitharius quoque genuit
Theodemir et Walemir et Widemir; Theodemir genuit
Theodericum ; Theodericus genuit Amalasuentam ; Amala-
suenta genuit Athalaricum et Mathasuentam, de Widerico
viro suo, cujus affinitati generis sic ad earn conjunctus est.
Nam supradictus Hermenricus, filius Achiulfi, genuit Hunni-
mundum ; Hunnimundus autem genuit Thorismundum ; Tho-
rismundus vero genuit Berimundum ; Berimundus genuit Wi-
dericum ; Widericus genuit Eutharicum ; qui conjunctus
Ainalasuentee genuit Athalaricum et Mathasuentam ; mor-
tuoque in puerilibus annis Athalarico, Mathasuentse Witichis
est sociatus, de quo non suscepit liberum : adductique simul a
Belisario in Constantinopolim, et Witichi rebus excedente
humanis, Germanus patricius, fratruelis domini Justiniani Im-
peratoris, eandem in conjugio sumens, patriciam ordinariam
fecit ; de qua filium genuit, item Germanum nomine. Ger-
mano vero defuncto, ipsa vidua perseverare disponit. Qualiter
autem, aut quomodo Amalorum regnum destructum est, loco
suo (si Dominus voluerit) edocebimus. Nunc autem ad id,
p2
XX THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
uncle digressum fecimus, redeamus, doceamusque quando
ordo gentis, nnde agimus, eursus sui metam expleverit. Abla-
vius enim historicus refert, quia ibi super limbum Ponti, ubi
eos diximus in Scythia eommanere, pars eorum, qui orien-
talem plagam tenebant, eisque procerat Ostrogotlia (incertum
utrum ab ipsius nomine, an a loco orientali) clicti sunt Ostro-
gotlia?, residui vero Wesegothae in parte occidua. Et quidem
jam diximus, eos transito Danubio aliquantum temporis apud
Mossiam, Thraciamque vixisse.
Ab hinc ergo, ut dicebamus, post longam obsidionem ac-
cepto praemio ditatus Geta, recessit ad patriam. Quem Gepi-
darum cernens natio subito ubique vincentem, prsedisque
ditatum, invidia ductus, arma in parentes movet. Quomodo
vero Geta? Gepidseque sint parentes si quseris, paucis absol-
vam. Meminisse debes, me initio de Scanziee insula? gremio
Gothos dixisse egressos cum Berich suo rege, tribus tantum
navibus vectos ad citerioris Oceani ripam ; quarum trium una
navis. ut assolet, tardius vecta, nomen genti fertur dedisse ;
nam lingua eorum pigra Gepanta dicitur. Hinc factum est,
ut paullatim et corrupte nomen eis ex convitio nasceretur.
Gepidse namque sine dubio ex Gothorum prosapia ducunt ori-
ginem : sed quia, ut dixi, Gepanta pigrum aliquid tardumque
signat, pro gTatuito convitio Gepidarum nomen exortum est,
quod nee ipsum ; credo falsissimum. Sunt enim tardioris
ingenii, graviores corporum velocitate. Hi ergo Gepidse tacti
invidia, dudum spreta provincia, commanebant in insula
Visclse amnis vadis circumacta, quam pro patrio sermone
dicebant Gepidos. Nunc earn, ut fertur, insulam gens Vivi-
daria incolit, ipsis ad meliores terras meantibus. Qui Vivi-
darii ex diversis nationibus acsi in unum asylum collecti sunt,
et gentem fecisse noscuntur.
* % -A % *
Gothorum rege Geberich rebus excedente humanis, post
temporis aliquod Hermanricus nobilissimus Amalorum, in
regno successit : qui multas et bellicosissimas arctoas gentes
perdomuit, suisque parere legibus fecit. Quem merito non-
nulli Alexandro Magno comparavere majores. Habebat siqui-
clem quos domuerat, Gothos, Scythas, Thuidos, Inaunxis,
EPILEGOMENA. XXI
Vasinabroncas, Merens, Mordensimnis, Caris, Rocas, Tadzans,
Athual, Navego, Bubegentas, Coldas ; et cum tantorum ser-
vitio carus haberetur, non passus est nisi et gentem Heru-
lorura, quibus prseerat Alaricus, magna ex parte trucidatam,
reliquam sua? subigeret ditioni. Nam prsedicta gens (Ablavio
historico referente) juxta Masotidas paludes habitans in locis
stagnantibus, quas Grseci Hele vocant, Heruli nominati sunt :
gens quanto velox, eo amplius superbissima. Nulla siquidem
erat tunc gens, quae non levem armaturam in acie sua ex ipsis
elegerint. Sed quamvis velocitas eorum ab aliis ssepe bellan-
tibus eos tutaretur, Gotborum tamen stabilitati subjacuit et
tarditati : fecitque causa fortunee, ut et ipsi inter reliquas
gentes Getarum regi Hermanrico servierint. Post Herulorum
csedam idem Hermanricus in Venetos arma commovit ; qui
quamvis armis desperiti, sed numerositate pollentes, primo
resistere conabantur. Sed nihil valet multitudo in bello, prse-
sertim ubi et Deus permittit, et multitudo fortium armata
advenerit. Nam hi, ut initio expositionis, vel catalogo gentis
clicere coepimus, ab una stirpe exorti tria nunc nomina reddi-
dere, id est Veneti, Antes, Sclavi : qui quamvis nunc ita faci-
entibus peccatis nostris ubique desseviunt, tamen tunc omnes
Hermanrici imperiis serviere. Hsestorum quoque similiter
nationem, qui longissimam ripam Oceani Germanici insident,
idem ipse prudentia virtute subegit, omnibusque Scythise et
Germanise nationibus, acsi propriis laboribus, imperavit.
Post autem non longi temporis intervallum, ut refert Oro-
sius, Hunnorum gens omni ferocitate atrocior exarsit in
Gothos : eosque qui prius timori erant ceeteris gentibus, ab
antiquis conterritos pepulit sedibus. Nam hos, ut refert anti-
quitas, ita extitisse comperimus. Filimer rex Gothorum, et
Gandarici magni filius, post egressum Scanziaa insula? jam
quinto loco tenens principatum Getarum, qui et terras Scy-
thicas cum sua gente introisset, sicut a nobis dictum est,
repperit in populo suo quasdam magas mulieres, quas patrio
sermon e Alyrumnas is ipse cognominat, easque habens su-
spectas de medio sui proturbat, longeque ab exercitu suo
fugatas in solitudine coegit errare. Quas silvestres homines,
quos Faunos Ficarios vocant, per eremum vagantes dum
vidissent, et earum se complexibus in coitu miscuissent, genus
XX11 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
hoe ferocissimum eclidere ; quod fuit primum inter paludes
Mseotidas minutum, fcetrum, atque exile, quasi inhumanum
genus, nee alia voce notum, nisi quod humani sermonis ima-
ginem assignabat. Tali ergo Hunni stirpe creati, Gothorum
finibus advenere. Quorum natio sseva, ut priscus historicus
refert, in Mceotide palude ulteriorem ripam insedit: venatione
tantum, nee alio labore experta, nisi quod postquam crevisset
in populos, fraudibus et rapinis vicinam gentem conturbavit.
Hujus ergo (ut assolent) venatores, dum in ulteriori Mceotidis
ripa venationes inquirunt, animadvertunt quomodo ex impro-
viso cerva se illis obtulit, ingressaque palude nunc progre-
diens, nunc subsistens, indicem se vise tribuit. Quam secuti
venatores, paludem Ma^otidein, quam imperviam ut pelagus
existimabant, pedibus transiere. Mox quoque ut Scythica
terra ignotis apparuit, cerva disparuit. Quod credo spiritus
illi, unde progeniem trahunt, ad Scytharum invidiam egere.
llli vero, qui prseter JMreotidem paludem alium mundum esse
penitus ignorabant, admiratione inducti terras Scythioe, et ut
sunt solertes, iter illud hulli ante banc setatem notissimum,
divinitus sibi ostensum rati, ad suos redeunt, rei gestum
edicunt, Scythiam laudant, persuasaque gente sua, via quam
cerva indice didicere, ad Scythiam properant, et quantos-
cunque prius in ingressu Scytharum habuere, litavere victorise,
reliquos perdomitos subegere. Nam mox ingentem illam
paludem transiere, ilico Alipzuros, Alcidzuros, Itamaros, Tini-
cassos, et Boiscos, qui ripa; istius Scythiee insidebant, quasi
quidam turbo gentium rapuere. Alanos quoque pugna sibi
pares, sed immanitate victus, , formaque dissimiles, frequenti
eertamine fatigantes subjugavere. Nam et quos bello forsitan
minime superabant, vultus sui terrore nimium pavorem inge-
rentes fugabant : eo quod erat eis species pavendse nigredinis,
et velut qusedam (si dici fas est) deformis offa, non facies,
habensque magis puncta, quam lumina. Quorum animi fidu-
ciam torvus prodit aspectus : qui etiam in pignora sua primo
die nata desseviunt. Nam maribus ferro genas secant, ut
antequam lactis nutrimenta percipiant, vulneris cogantur subire
tolerantiam. „ Hinc imberbes senescunt, et sine venustate
ephebi sunt ; quia facies ferro sulcata^ tempestivam pilorum
gratiam per cicatrices absumit. Exigui quidem forma, sed
EPILEGOMENA. XXlll
argiiti, mojibus expediti, et ad equitandnm promptissimi :
scapulis latis, et ad arcus sagittasque parati : firmis crevicibus,
et superbia semper erecti. Hi vero sub hominum figura
vivunt beluina saevitia. Quod genus expeditissimum, multa-
rumque nationum grassatorium, Getae ut viderunt, expave-
scunt : suoque cum rege diliberant, qualiter se a tali hoste
subducant. Nam Hermanricus rex Gotliorum, licet (ut supe-
rius retulimus) multarum gentium extiterit triumphator, de
Hunnorum tamen adventu dum cogitat, Roxolanorum gens
infida, quae tunc inter alias famulatum exhibebat, tali eum
nanciscitur occasione decipere. Dum enim quandarn mulierem
Sanielh nomine ex gente memorata, pro mariti fraudulento
discessu, rex furore commotus, equis ferocibus illigatam, in-
citatisque cursibus per diversa divelli praacipisset, fratres ejus
Sarus et Ammius germanae obitum vindicantes, Hermanrici
latus ferro petierunt : quo vulnere saucius, segram vitam cor-
poris imbecillitate contraxit. Quam adversam ejus valetu-
dinem captans Balamir rex Hunnorum, in Ostrogothas movit
procinctum : a quorum societate jam Wesegothae discessere,
quam dudum inter se juncti habebant. Inter haec Herman-
ricus tarn vulneris dolorem, quam etiam incursiones Hunnorum
non ferens, grandaevus et plenus dierum, centesimodecimo
anno vitse suae defunctus est. Oujus mortis occasio dedit
Hunnis praevalere in Gothos illos, quos dixeramus orientali
plaga sedere, et Ostrogothas nuncupari.
Wesegothae id est, alii eorum socii, et occidui soli cultores,
metu parentum exterriti, quidnam de se, propter gentem
Hunnorum deliberarent, ambigebant : cliuque cogitantes, tan-
dem communi placito legatos ad Romanian! direxere, ad
Valentem Imperatorem, fratrem Valentiniani Imperatoris
senioris, ut partem Thraciae sive Moesiae si illis traderet ad
colendum, ejus legibus viverent, ejusque imperiis subderentur.
After this, the narrative becomes properly historical, giving
the history of the Goths of Mcesia.
THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
§ VI. EXTRACT FROM PAULUS DIACONUS DE GEST1S LONGO-
BARDORUM.
Paul, the son of Warnefrid {Paulus Warnefridi filius, as
he is often designated), was deacon of Friuli, and secretary to
Desiderius, the last king of the Lombards. To the traditions
and history of those conquerors, his work bears the same rela-
tion, which that of Jornandes does to those of the Ostro-Goths.
I. Septentrionalis plaga, quanto magis ab a?stu solis remota
est, et nivali frigore gelida, tanto salubrior corporibus homi-
num, et propagandis est gentibus magis coaptata : sicut
e contra omnis meridiana regio, quo solis est fervori vicinior, eo
semper morbis abuudat, et educandis minus est apta morta-
libus. Unde fit ut tanta? populorum multitudines arctoo sub
axe oriantur : ut non immerito universa ilia regio Tanai
tenus, usque ad occiduum, licet et propriis loca in ea singula
nuncupentur nominibus, generali tamen vocabulo Germania
vocitetur ; quamvis et duas ultra Rhenum provincias Romani,
cum ea loca occupassent, superiorem inferioremque Germaniam
dixerint. Ab hac ergo populosa Germania, saspe innumera-
biles captivorum turmas abducta?, meridianis populis pretio
distrahuntur. Multa? quoque ex ea, pro eo quod tantos mor-
talium germinat, quantos alere vix sufBcit, sa?pe gentes egressse
sunt, qua? nihilominus et partes Asia?, sed maxime sibi conti-
guam Europam, afflixerunt. Testantur hoc ubique urbes
eruta?, per totam Illyricum Galliamque : sed maxime misera?
Italia?, quae pene omnium illarum est gentium experta ssevi-
tiam. Gothi siquidem, Wandalique, Rugi, Heruli, atque
Turcilingi, nee non etiam alia? feroces et barbarse nationes, e
Germania prodierunt.
II. Pari etiam modo et Winilorum, hoc est, Longobar-
dorum gens, qua? postea in Italia feliciter regnavit, a Germa-
norum populis originem ducens, licet et alia? causa? egressionis
eorum asseverentur, ab insula qua? Scandinavia dicitur adven-
tavit : cujus etiam insula?, Plinius Secundus in libris, quos De
Natura Rerum composuit, mentionem facit. Ha?c ergo insula,
EPILEGOMENA. XXV
sicut retulerunt nobis, qui earn lustraverunt, non tarn in mari
est posita, quam marinis fluctibus, propter planitiem mar-
ginum, terras ambientibus circumfusa. Intra hanc ergo con-
stituti populi, ctum in tantam niultitudinem pullulassent, ut
jam simul habitare non valerent, in tres, ut fertur, omnem
catervam partes dividentes, quse ex illis pars patriam relin-
quere, novasque deberet sedes exquirere, sorte perquirit.
III. Igitur ea pars, cui sors dederat genitale solum exce-
dere, exteraque arva sectari, ordinatis super se duobus ducibus,
Ibor scilicet et Ayone, qui et germani erant, et juvenili adhuc
setate floridi, et ceeteris prsestantiores, ad exquirendas quas
possint incolere terras, sedesque statuere, valedicentes suis
simul et patriae, iter arripiunt. Horum erat ducum mater
nomine Gambara, mulier quantum inter suos et ingenio acris,
et consiliis provida ; de cujus in rebus dubiis prudentia non
minimum confidebant.
IV. Haud ab re esse arbitror, paulisper narrandi ordinem
postponere, et quia adhuc stylus in Germania vertitur, mira-
culum quod illic apud omnes celebre habetur, sed et qusedam
alia breviter intimare. In extremis Oircium versus Germanise
finibus, in ipso Oceani litore, antrum sub eminenti rupe con-
spicitur, ubi septem viri (incertum ex quo tempore) longo
sopiti sopore quiescunt, ita inlsesis non solum corporibus, sed
etiam vestimentis, ut ex hoc ipso, quod sine ulla per tot anno-
rum curricula corruptione perdurant, apud indociles easdam et
barbaras nationes, venerationi habeantur. Hi denique quan-
tum ad habitum spectat, Eomani esse cernuntur. E quibus
dum unum quidam cupiditate stimulatus vellet exuere, mox
ejus ut dicitur brachia aruerunt, poenaque sua ceeteros perter-
ruit, ne quis eos ulterius contingere auderet. Videris ad quem
eos profectum, per tot tempora providentia divina conservet.
Fortasse horum quandoque, quia non aliter nisi Christiani
esse putantur, gentes illse praedicatione sal van dee sunt.
V. Huic loco Scritobini (sic enim gens ilia nominatur)
vicini sunt, qui etiam sestatis tempore nivibus non carent, nee
aliis, utpote feris ipsis ratione non dispares, quam crudis agre-
stium animantium carnibus vescuntur; de quorum etiam
hirtis pellibus sibi indumenta coaptant. Hi a saliendo, juxta
linguam barbaram, etymologiam ducunt. Saltibus enim
XXVI THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
utentes, arte quadam ligno incurvo, ad amis similitudinem,
feras assequuntur. Apud hos est animal, non satis absimile
cervo, de cujus ego corio, ut fuerat pilis hispidum, vestem in
moduni tunica?, genu tenus aptatam conspexi, sicut jam fati,
ut relatum est, Scritobini utuntur. Quibus in locis circa
a?stivale solstitium, per aliquot dies, etiam noctu clarissima
lux cernitur, diesque ibi multo majores, quam alibi habentur :
sicut e contrario, circa brumale solstitium, quamvis diei lux
adsit, sol tamen ibi non videtur, diesque minimi, quam usquam
alibi, noctes quoque longiores existunt. Quia scilicet quanto
magis a sole longius disceditur, tanto sol ipse terra? vicinior
apparet, et umbra? longiores excrescunt. Denique in Italia,
sicut et antiqui scripserunt, circa diem natalis Domini, novem
pedes in umbra statura? humana? hora sexta metiuntur. Ego
autem in Gallia Belgica, in loco qui Totonis villa dicitur, con-
stitute, status mei umbram metiens, decern et novem et
semis pedes inveni. Sic quoque contrario modo, quanto pro-
pinquius meridiem versus ad solem acceditur, tantum semper
umbra? breviores videntur; in tantum, ut solstitio sestivali
respicente sole de medio cceli, in ^^Egypto et Hierosolymis, et
in eorum vicinitate constitutis locis, nulla? videantur umbra?.
In Arabia vero hoc ipso tempore sol supra medium coeli, ad
partem aquilonis cernitur, umbra?que versa vice contra meri-
diem videntur.
VI. Nee satis procul ab hoc de quo pra?misimus litore,
contra occidentalem partem, qua sine fine Oceanum pelagus
patet, profundissima aquarum ilia vorago est, quam usitato
nomine maris umbilicum vocamus, qua? bis in die fluctus ab-
sorbere, et rursum evomere dicitur : sicut per universa ilia
litora, accedentibus et recedentibus fluctibus, celeritate nimia
fieri comprobatur. Hujusmodi vorago sive vertigo, a poeta
Virgilio Charybdis appellatur, quam ille in freto Siculo esse
suo in carmine loquitur, hoc modo dicens :
" Dextrum Scylla latus, lsevum implacata Charybdis
Obsidet, atque imo barathri ter gurgite vastos
Sorbet in abruptum fluctus, rursusque sub auras
Erigit alternos, et sidera verberat unda."
Ab hac sane de qua diximus vertigine, sa?pe naves raptim cur-
simque adtrahi affirmantur, tanta celeritate, ut sagittarum per
EPILEGOMENA. xxvii
aera lapsus imitari videantur, et nonnunquam in illo barathro
horrendo nimis exitu pereunt. Ssepe cum jam jam que mer-
gendse sint, subitis undarum molibus retroactse tanta rursus
agilitate exinde elongantur, quanto prius adtractse sunt.
Affirmant esse et aliam hujusmodi voraginem, inter Britan-
niam insulam, Galliamque provinciam : cui etiam rei adstipu-
lantur Sequanicse Aquitanieeque litora, quse bis in die tam
subitis inundationibus opplentur, ut qui fortasse aliquantulum
introrsus a litore repertus fuerit, evadere vix possit. Videas
earum regionum flumina, fontem versus cursu velocissimo
relabi, ac per multorum millium spatia, dulces fluminum Ijm-
phas in amaritudinem verti. Triginta ferme a Sequanico
litore Euodia insula millibus distat, in qua, sicut ab illius
incolis adseveratur, vergentium in eandem Charybdim aqua-
rum garrulitas auditur. Audivi quendam nobilissimum Gal-
lorum referentem, quod aliquantee naves, prius tempestate
convulsse, postmodum ab hac eadem Charybdi voratse sunt.
Unus autem ex omnibus viris solummodo, qui in navibus illis
fuerant, morientibus cseteris, dum adhuc fluctibus spiralis
supernataret, vi aquarum fluentium abductus, ad oram usque
immanissimi illius barathri pervenit. Qui cum jam profundis-
simam, et sine fine patens chaos adspiceret, ipsoque pavore
prEemortuus, se illuc ruiturum exspectaret, subito quod sperare
non poterat, saxo quodam superjectus insedit. Decursis siqui-
dem jam omnibus, quae sorbendse erant, aquis, orse illius
fuerant margines denudati. Dumque ibi inter tot angustias
anxius, vix ob metum palpitans resideret, dilatamque ad mo-
dicum mortem nihilominus opperiret, conspicit ecce subito
quasi magnos aquarum montes de profundo resilire, navesque
quse absorptse fuerant, primas emergere. Cumque una ex illis
ei contigua fieret, ad earn se nisu quo potuit apprehendit : nee
mora, celeri volatu prope litus advectus, metuendse necis
casus evasit, proprii postmodum periculi relator existens.
Nostrum quoque, id est, Adriaticum mare, quod licet minus,
similiter tamen Venetiarum Histrieeque litora pervadit, credi-
bile est parvos hujusmodi occultosque habere meatus, quibus
et recedentes aquse sorbeantur, et rursum invasurse litora
revomantur. His itaque praelibatis, ad coeptam narrandi
seriem redeamus.
XXVlll THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
VII. Igitur egressi de Scandinavia Winili, cum Ibor et
Ayone ducibus, in regionem qua? appellatur Scoringa veni-
entes, per annos illic aliquot consederunt. Ulo itaque tem-
pore Ambri et Assi, Wandalorum duces, vicinas quasque
provincias bello premebant. Hi jam multis elati victoriis,
nuncios ad Winilos mittunt, ut aut tributa Wandalis persol-
verent, aut se ad belli certamina pncpararent. Tunc Ibor et
Ayo, adnitente matre Gambara, deliberant melius esse armis
libertatem tueri, quam tributorum eandem solutione foedare,
mandant per legatos Wandalis, pugnaturos se potius, quam
servituros. Erant siquidem tunc Winili universi setate juve-
nili florentes, sed numero exigui ; quippe qui unius non nimise
amplitudinis insula?, tertia solummodo particula fuerint.
VIII. Eefert hoc loco antiquitas ridiculam fabulam : quod
accedentes Wandali ad Wodan, victoriam de Winilis postu-
laverint, illeque respondent, se illis victoriam daturum, quos
primum oriente sole conspexisset ; tunc accessisse Gambaram
ad Fream, uxorem Wodan, et Winilis victoriam postulasse,
Freamque consilium dedisse, ut Winilorum mulieres. solutos
crines erga faciem ad barbae similitudinem componerent, ma-
neque primo cum viris adessent, seseque a Wodan videndas
pariter e regione, qua ille per fenestram, orientem versus, erat
solitus adspicere, collocarent : atque ita factum fuisse. Quas
cum Wodan conspiceret oriente sole, dixisse : Qui sunt isti
Longobardi ? Tunc Fream subjunxisse, ut quibus nomen
tribuerat, victoriam condonaret : sicque Winilis Wodan vi-
ctoriam concessisse. Hsec risu digna sunt, et pro nihilo ha-
benda. Victoria enim non potestati est adtributa hominum,
sed e coslo potius ministratur.
IX. Oertum tamen est Longobardos, ab intactse ferro
barose longitudine, cum primitus Winili dicti fuerint, ita post-
modum appellatos. Nam juxta illorum linguam, Lang longani,
Bart barbam significat. Wodan sane, quern adjecta litera
Gwodan dixerunt, ipse est, qui apud Romanos Mercurius
dicitur, et ab universis Germanise gentibus ut deus adoratur ;
qui non circa hsec tempora, sed longe anterius, nee in Ger-
mania, sed in Grsecia fuisse perhibetur.
X. Winili igitur, qui et Longobardi, commisso cum Wan-
dalis proelio, acriter, utpote pro libertatis gloria decertantes,
EPILEGOMENA. XXIX
victoriam capiunt ; qui magnam postmodum famis penuriam in
eadem Scoringa provincia perpessi, valde animo consternati sunt.
XL De qua egredientes, dum in Mauringam transire dis-
ponerent, Assipitti eorum iter impediunt, denegantes eis omni-
modis per suos terminos transitum. Porro Longobardi, cum
magnas hostium copias cernerent, neque cum eis, ob pauci-
tatem exercitus, congredi auderent, dumque quid agere debe-
rent, decernerent, tandem necessitas consilium reperit. Simu-
lant se in castris suis habere cynocephalos, id est, canini
capitis homines : divulgant apud hostes hos pertinaciter bella
gerere, humanum sanguinem bibere, et si hostem assequi non
possint, proprium potare cruorem. Utque huic assertioni
fidem facerent, ampliant tentoria, plurimosque in castris ignes
accendunt. His hostes auditis, visisque creduli efFecti, bellum
quod minabantur, jam tentare non audent.
XII. Habebant tamen apud se virurn fortissimum, de
cujus fidebant viribus, posse se proculdubio obtinere quod
vellent, hunc solum pras omnibus pugnaturum objiciunt.
Mandantque Longobardis, ut unum quern vellent suorum mit-
terent, qui cum eo ad singulare certamen exiret, ea videlicet
conditione, ut si suus bellator victoriam caperet, Longobardi
itinere quo venerant abirent : sin vere superaretur ab altero,
tunc se Longobardis transitum per fines proprios non veti-
turos. Oumque Longobardi, quern e suis potius adversus
virum bellicosissimum mitterent, ambigerent, quidam ex ser-
vili conditione sponte se obtulit, promittit se provocanti hosti
congressurum ; ea ratione, ut si de hoste victoriam caperet, a
se suaque progenie servitutis nsevum auferrent. Quid plura?
gratanter quse postulaverat esse facturos pollicentur. Aggres-
sus hostem expugnavit et vicit ; Longobardis transeundi fa-
cultatem, sibi suisque, ut optaverat, jura libertatis indeptus est.
XIII. Igitur Longobardi tandem in Mauringam perve-
nientes, ut bellatorum possint ampliare numerum, plures a
servili jugo ereptos, ad libertatis statum perducunt ; utque
rata eorum haberi posset libertas, sanciunt more solito per
sagittam, immurmurantes nihilominus, ob rei firmitatem, quse-
dam patria verba. Egressi itaque Longobardi de Mauringa,
applicuenmt in Golanda, ubi aliquanto tempore commorati
dicuntur. Post hsec Anthaib et Banthaib, pari modo et
XXX TT1E GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Wurgondaib, per annos aliquot possedisse : quae nos arbitrari
possumus esse vocabula pagorum, seu quorumcunque locorum.
XIV. Mortuis interea Ibor et Ayone ducibus, qui Lon-
gobardos a Scandinavia eduxerant, et usque ad hsec tempora
rexerant, nolentes jam ultra Longobardi esse sub ducibus,
regera sibi ad cseteraruni instar gentium statuerunt. Regna-
vit igitur super eos primus Agelmundus, filius Ayonis, ex
prosapia ducens originem Guningorum, qua? apud eos gene-
rosior habebatur. Hie, sicut a majoribus traditur, tribus et
triginta annis Longobardorum tenuit regnum.
XV. His temporibus queedain meretrix uno partu septem
puerulos enixa, beluis omnibus mater crudelior, in piscinam
projecit necandos. Hoc si cui impossibile videtur, relegat
historias veterum, et inveniet non solum septem infantulos,
sed etiam novem unam mulierem simul peperisse. Et hoc
certum est maxime apud iEgyptios fieri. Contigit itaque ut
rex Agelmundus, dum iter carperet, ad eandem piscinam deve-
niret. Qui cum equo retento miserandos infantulos miraretur,
hastaque quam manu gerebat, hue illucque eos inverteret,
unus ex illis manu injecta hastam regiam comprehendit. Rex
misericordia motus, factumque altius admiratus, eum magnum
futurum pronuntiat : moxque eum e piscina levari prsecipit,
atque nutrici traditum, omni cum studio mandat alendum.
Et quia eum de piscina, quse eorum lingua Lama dicitur,
abstulit, Lamissio eidem nomen imposuit. Qui cum adole-
visset, adeo strenuus juvenis effectus est, ut et bellicossimus
extiterit, et post Agelmundi funus, regni gubernacula rexerit.
Ferunt hunc, dum Longobardi cum rege suo iter agentes ad
quendam fluvium pervenissent, et ab Amazonibus essent pro-
hibiti ultra permeare, cum earum fortissima in fluvio natatu
pugnasse, eamque peremisse, sibique laudis gloriam, Longo-
bardis quoque transitum paravisse : hoc siquidem inter utras-
que acies prius constitisse, quatenus si Amazona eadem La-
missionem superaret, Longobardi a flumine recederent ; sin
vero a Lamissione, ut et factum est, ipsa vinceretur, Longo-
bardis eadem permeandi fluenta copia preeberetur. Constat
sane quia hujus assertionis series minus veritati subnixa est.
Omnibus etenim, quibus veteres historiee notse sunt, patet,
gentem Amazonum longe antea, quam hsec fieri potuerunt,
EP1LEG0MENA. XXXI
esse deletam ; nisi forte quia loca eaclem, ubi hsec gesta
feruntur, non satis historiograpliis nota fuerunt, et vix ab
aliquo eorum vulgata sunt, fieri potuerit, ut usque ad id tem-
pus hujuscemodi inibi mulierum genus haberetur. Nam et
ego referri a quibusdam audivi, usque hodie in intimis Ger-
manise finibus gentem harum existere feminarum.
XVI. Igitur transmeato Longobardi, de quo dixeramus,
flumine, cum ad ulteriores terras pervenissent, illic per tempus
aliquod commorabantur. Interea cum nihil adversi suspica-
rentur, et essent quieti, longa nimis securitas, quse semper
detrimentorum mater est, eis non modicam perniciem peperit.
Noctu denique cum negligentia resoluti quiescerent cuncti,
subito super eos Bulgares irruentes, plures ex iis sauciant,
multos prosternunt, et in tantum per eorum castra debacchati
sunt, ut ipsum Agelmundum regem interficerent, ej usque uni-
cam filiam sorte captivitatis auferrent.
XVII. Resumptis tamen post hsec incommoda Longo-
bardi viribus, Lamissionem, de quo superius dixeramus, sibi
regem constituerunt. Qui ut erat juvenili setate fervidus, et
ad belli certamina satis promptus, non aliud nisi Agelmundi
necem ulcisci cupiens, in Bulgares arma convertit. Primoque
proelio mox commisso, Longobardi hostibus terga dantes ad
castra refugiunt. Tunc rex Lamissio ista conspiciens, elevata
altius voce omni exercitui clamare coepit, ut opprobriorum quse
pertulerant, reminiscerentur, revocarentque ante oculos dede-
cus, quomodo eorum regem hostes jugulaverint, quam misera-
biliter ejus natam, quam sibi reginam optaverant, captivam
abduxerent. Postremo hortatur, ut se suosque armis defen-
derent, melius esse dicens in bello animam ponere, quam ut
vilia mancipia hostium ludibriis subjacere. Hsec et hujusce-
modi vociferans cum diceret, et nunc minis, nunc promissio-
nibus, ad toleranda eorum amnios belli certamina roboraret :
si quern etiam servilis conditionis pugnantem vidisset, liber-
tate eum simul cum prsemiis donaret. Tandem hortatu exem-
ploque principis, qui primus ad bellum prosilierat, accensi,
super hostes irruunt, pugnant atrociter, et magna adversarios
clade prosternunt, tandemque de victoribus victoriam ca-
pientes, tam regis funus, quam proprias injurias ulciscun-
tur. Tunc magna de hostium exuviis prseda potiti, ex illo
XXX11 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
jam tempore, ad expetendos belli labores, audaces eftecti
sunt.
XVIII. Defuncto post hsec Lamissione, qui secimdus re-
gnaverat, tertius ad regni gubernacula Lethu ascendit. Qui
cum quadraginta ferme aunos regnasset, Hildehoc filium, qui
quartus fuit iu numero, regni successorem reliquit. Hoc quo-
que defuncto quintus Gudehoc reguum suscepit.
After this, the narrative becomes properly historical, and
gives us the history of the Lombards from the time of
Odoacer, to that of Charlemagne.
§ VII. THE TRAVELLERS SONG.
In the Anglo-Saxon MS., known as the Codex Exoniensis,
is the following poem.
It is known as WidsP6, from the name of the narrator with
which it begins.
It is better known as The Traveller's Song.
A claim to an antiquity, as high as the sixth century, has
been made out for it. It is doubtful, however, whether this
antiquity is valid in the eyes of any one but its commentators.
One undoubted element of value, however, it possesses.
It gives German names in German forms.
The text is Mr. Kemble's ; to whose Beowulf it is
appended.
It is also to be found in Mr. Thorpe's edition of the Codex
Exoniensis.*
Wid-siS maSolade, Fselre freojju-webban,
Word-hord on-leac, Forman sfj?e,
Se 3e msest HreS-cyninges
MferSa ofer eorSan, Ham ge-s6hte,
Folca geond ferde. Eastan of Ongle;
Oft he flette ge-J>ah, Eorman-rices
Myne-licne ma^um. Wrafces war-logan.
Hine from Myrgingum On-gon J>a worn sprecan.
M\>e\e on-wocon. " Fela ic monna ge-frsegn,
10 He mid Ealh-hilde, 20 Meegjjum wealdan.
For the translation see Appendix.
EPILEGQMENA.
Sceal Jjeoda ge-hwylc
peawum lifgan,
Eorl sefter dbrum
ESle raedan,
Se ]>q his Redden -st61
Ge-)>edn wile.
para wees Wala
Hwile se'last ;
And Alexandreas
30 Ealra ricost,
Monna cynnes ;
And he rn^st ge-Jsah,
para J?e ic ofer foldan
Ge-frsegen hsebbe.
iEtla wedld Hunum,
Eorman-ric Gotum,
Becca Baningum,
Burgendum Gifica,
Caesare wedld Creacum,
40 And Cselic Finnum,
Hagena Holm-rycum,
And Henden Glommum,
Witta wedld Swaefum,
Wada Hselsingum,
Meaca Myrgingum,
Mearc-healf Hundingum,
peddric wedld Froncum,
pyle Rondingum,
Breoca Brondingum,
50 Billing Wernum,
Os-wine wedld Eowum,
And Ytum Gef-wulf ;
Fin Folc-walding,
Fresna cynne,
Sige-here lengest,
Sae-denum wedld.
Hnsef Hocingum,
Helm Wulfingum,
Wald Woingum,
60 Wod pyringum,
Sse-ferS Sycgum,
Swedm Ongend-bedw,
Sceaft-here Ymbrum,
Sceafa Long-beardum,
Hun-hset Werum,
And Holen Wrosnum.
Hring-weald was haten
Here-farena cyning.
Offa wedld Ongle,
70 Alewih Denum ;
Se wses }?ara manna
Mod gast ealra.
No hwsebre he ofer Offan
Eorl-scype fremede ;
Ac Offa ge-sl6g,
iErest monna,
Cniht-wesende,
Cyne-rica msest.
Ninig efen eald him
80 Eorl-scipe maran,
On orette,
A'ne sweorde ;
Merce ge-maerde,
WicS Myrgingum,
Bi Fifel-dore,
Hedldon for$ sibban
Engle and Swaefe
Swa hit Offa ge-slog.
Hrdb-wulf and Hr6S-gar
90 Hedldon lengest,
Sibbe set somne,
Suhtor-fsedran :
Sibban rry' for-wreecon
Wi-eynga cynn,
And Ingeldes
Ord for-bigdan,
For-he6wan set. Heorote,
HeaiSo-beardna b r y m «
Swa ic geond ferde fela,
100 Fremdra londa,
Geond ginne grund,
Godes and yfles,
peer ic cunnade,
Cnosle bi-daeled,
Freo-msegum feor
Folgade wide.
For ]>on ic mseg singan,
And secgan spell.
Maenan fore mengo,
110 In meodu-healle,
XXXI V
THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
H ii me cyne-gode,
Cystura ddhten. 150
Ic woes mid Hunum
And mid HreS-Gdtum,
Mid Swedm and mid Gcatum,
And mid SuJ?-Denum,
MiJ Wcnlum ic wses, and mid
Wsernum,
And mid Wi-cingum,
Mid Gef-jmm ic wses, and mid
Winedum,
I 20 And mid Gef-flegum,
Mid Englum ic woes, and mid
Swaefum,
And mid iEnenum, 160
Mid Scaxum ic wses, and mid
Sycgum,
And mid Sweord-wcrum ;
Mid Ilronum ic wses, and mid
Dcanum,
And mid Heajjo-Reamum,
Mid pyriDgum ic waes,
And mid prowcndum,
And mid Burgendum ;
130 poer ic bcag ge-jsah.
Mc Jjier GucS-hcre for-geaf 170
Gloed-licne majjjnvm,
Songes to leane :
Noes ■£ soene cyning.
Mid Froncum ic waes, and mid
Frysum,
And mid Frumtingum,
Mid Rugum ic waes, and mid
Glommum,
And mid Rum-Walum ;
Swylce ic woes on Eatule,
140 Mid ^lfwine, 180
Se liaefde mon-cynnes
Mine ge-fr&ge,
Leohteste hond
Ldfes to wyrcenne.
Heortan undineaweste,
Hringa ge-dales,
Beorhtra beaga,
Beam Ead-wines ;
Mid Sercingum ic woes,
And mid Seringum,
Mid Creacum ic waes, and mid
Finnum,
And mid Caesere,
Se \>e win-burga
Ge-weald ahte.
Wiolane and Wilna,
And Wala-rices,
Mid Scottum ic waes, and mid
Pedhtum,
And mid Scridc-Finnum,
Mid Lid-wicingum ic waes, and
mid Lconum,
And mid Long-beardum,
Mid H&fcnum and mid Hoelcjjum,
And mid Hundingum.
Mid Israhelum ic waes,
And mid Exsyringum,
Mid Ebreum, and mid Indeum,
And mid JEgyptum,
Mid Moidum ic wees, and mid
Persum.
And mid Myrgingum,
And Mofdingum
And ongend Myrgingum,
And mid Amojdngum,
Mid East-Jjyringum ic woes, and
mid Eolum,
And mid Istum,
And Idumingum ;
And ic woes mid Eorman-rice ;
Ealle yrage
peer me Gotena cyning,
Gdde ddhte,
Se me beag for-geaf ;
Burg-war en a fruma.
On J?am si ex hund waes,
Smaetes goldes,
Ge-scyred sceatta,
Scilling rime ;
pone ic Eadgilse
On aeht sealde,
Minum bled-drihtne,
pa ic to bam bi-cwom,
EPILEGOMENA.
XXXV
Ledfum to leane,
190 pses ]?e he me lond for-geaf,
Mines feeder e'jsel,
Frea Myrginga ;
And me ]>a Ealh-hild
O'berne for-geaf.
Dryht-cwen duguj>e,
Dohtor Ead-wines.
Hyre lof lengde,
Geond londa fela,
pon ic be songe
200 Secgan sceolde,
Hweer ic, under swegl,
Selast wisse,
Gold-hrodene cwen,
Giefe bryttian ;
Don wit Scilling
Sciran reorde,
For uncrum sige-dryhtne,
Song a-hofan,
Hlude bi hearpan ;
210 Hleojjor swinsade.
pon monige men,
Mddum wlonce,
Wordum sprecan,
pa ]>e wel cujjan
f he nsefre song
Sellan ne hyrdon ;
Bonan ic ealne geond hwearf
E'j>el Gotena.
S6hte ic a sif>a
220 Pa selestan,
pset wses inn-weorud
Earman- rices.
He<5can sdhte ic and Beadecan,
And Herelingas ;
Emercan sdhte ic and Fridlan,
Ond East-Gotam
Frddne and gddne,
Feeder Un-wsenes.
Seccan sohte ic and Beccan,
230 Seafolan, and pedd-ric,
Heafjo-riCj and Sifecan,
Hlij?e, and Incgen-bedw,
Ead-wine sdhte ic, and Elsan,
iEgel-mund, and Hungar,
And ]>& wloncan ge-dryht,
WiS Myrginga.
Wulf-here sdhte ic and Wyrm-
here ;
Ful oft {?ser wig ne a-lseg
ponne Hrseda here,
240 Heardum sweordum,
Ymb Wistla-wudu,
Wergan sceoldon.
Ealdne e|>el-stdl
JEtlan leddum.
Rsed-here sdhte ic and Rond-here,
Rum-stan and Gisl-here,
Wij^er-gield, and Freo^e-ric,
Wudgan, and Haman.
Ne wffiron -p ge-sipa,
250 pa seemestan,
peah pe ic hy a-nihst,
Nemnan sceolde.
Ful oft of J?am heape
Hwinende fleag,
Giellende gar,
On grome J?edde,
Wreeccan J?8er weoldan,
Wundnan golde,
Werum and wifum ;
260 Wudga and Ham a.
Swa ic f symle on-fond
On Jjaere feringe,
pset se bij? ledfast,
Lond-buendum,
Se f>e him god syle<5,
Gumena rice
Td ge-healdenne
penden he her leofa<5„
Swa scrij>ende,
270 Ge-sceapum hweorfaS
Gled-men gumena,
Geond grunda fela,
pearfe secgaS.
ponc-word sprecaS.
Simle sue fore dugufie wile, Lof se ge-wyrceiS,
2S0 Dom a r&ran HafaS under heofonum
Eorl scipe reman, Heali-ffestne dom.
OJ3j?a;t eal scacetS,
The three texts of Jovnandes, Paulus Diaconus, and the
Traveller's Song, give us the rough materials for the criticism
of the traditions of the Gothic nation. Their historical and
ethnological value is another question.
To begin with Jornandes. He quotes more than one
earlier than himself, e.g., Dio, Dexippus, and Ablavius. For
contemporary events, any statement of any such writer is
valuable.
But what is the value of such earlier writers, in respect
to the times anterior to their own ? in respect to the archae-
ology, ethnology, or origines of the Gothic nations \
Many put this high ; since the Germania of Tacitus espe-
pecially mentions the existence of carmina antiqua, and
access to the carmina antiqua is what may fairly be allowed
to Ablavius at least.
The following facts, however, subtract from their value : —
a. Adaptations to the traditions of other nations (real or
supposed), known to Jornandes and Paulus Diaconus through
their ecclesiastical and classical learning are heterogeneously
intermixed with the proper Gothic narratives.
b. In the case of Jornandes, numerous real or supposed
facts, relating to the Geta, are confused with those relating to
the Gothi.
These objections are of special application. To which
must be added those which apply to tradition in general ;
even in its most unexceptionable form. Upon these, however,
the present is no place for enlarging. The only question, at
present, under notice, is the extent to which the migrations,
which we find in the two Latin writers (for the Traveller's
Song has but little in this way), rest upon true and genuine
tradition — true and genuine tradition being the transmission
of the account of an actual event from one generation to
another, by smwritten communication.
For this, it is absolutely necessary that the event trans-
EPILEGOMENA. XXX Vll
mitted be a real one ; otherwise, the tradition is only the
tradition of an opinion, i.e., no tradition at all.
A tradition, too, must be different from an inference.
All traditions that coincide with inferences are suspicious ; or
(changing the expression), all inferences which give us the
same results as a tradition weaken its validity (i.e., that of the
tradition).
This, perhaps, requires illustration.
In England there existed, at the time of Beda, three
populations ; one called Angli, one Saxones, and one some-
times Juta, but oftener Vita. In Hampshire, the Saxones
and Vitas, or Jut a, came in contact.
Similarly, in the parts about the Lower Elbe and
Eyder, there existed three similarly-named populations ;
one called Angli, one Saxones, and one sometimes Vita, but
oftener Juta. In Sleswick the Saxones and Juta, or Vita,
came in contact.
Now Beda writes that the Juta of England came from
the Juta of Jutland ; and his statement generally (perhaps
universally) is supposed to rest on either history or tradition.
I believe it to rest on neither the one nor the other. I
believe it to be an inference — an inference so logically correct,
that I only wonder at the combination of chances which
make it actually wrong.
Nevertheless, the truth was as follows. The people of the Isle
of Wight were called Vita, even as the people of Jutland were.
And, the people of the Isle of Wight, thus called, lay in
geographical contact with certain Saxons; those Saxons being
in similar contact with certain Angles. All this was also
the case with the ./^landers.
Such coincidences wanted accounting for. A migration
did this ; and a migration was inferred.
The extent to which the similarity of name between Gothi
and Geta might engender a similar inference, similarly resem-
bling a tradition, weakens the historical likelihood of the
truth of Jornandes'' account.
Such are some of the reasons for considering his derivation
of the Germans (or Goths) of the Danube from the shores of
the Baltic, as highly exceptionable.
XXXV111 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
The analysis, then, of traditions is one element of the
criticism necessary for the texts in question.
Another is a correct appreciation of the extent to which
political alliance coincides with ethnological affinity. Few
notions are more common than that of populations engaged
in the same wars, against the same enemies, and playing
similar parts in history, being, therefore, members of the
same stock.
In defensive wars this is generally the case.
In offensive wars, the union of different stocks (Gallic and
German, Germanic and Slavonic, Keltic and Iberian, &c.) is
so frequent, that the fact of a single alliance, comprising two
populations, is, in many cases, scarcely so much as prima facie
evidence of their common origin, descent, blood, or ethnolo-
gical relationship.
When the names of the leaders of such confederations are
known, the evidence improves ; but even then it is not con-
clusive.
The practical bearings of this, appear in §§ Vandals, and
Longobardi, and elsewhere.
For a further notice see Epilegomena, § Quasi-Germanic
Gauls.
§ VIII. THE GOTHS, GOTHINI, GOTHONES, GOTHLANDERS, AND
JUTES.
In and of itself, the history of the Goths, properly so-called,
is comparatively simple. We find them called Ostro-Qxoths
and Fm-Goths ; each with its peculiar royal line — the Ama-
lungs for the former, the Baltungs for the latter. Separate,
too, from the other Germanic populations, the Proper Goths
have their great national heroes ; some truly historical, as
Alaric, Ataulfus, Euric, Theodoric, and Totila ; others, but
half-historical or legendary, as the great Hermanric, whose
power, undoubtedly, had a real existence to a certain extent,
but many of whose actions are either fabulous or unsupported
by evidence.
Above all, the Goths Proper have their special geographical
area, the starting-point of their power being the Lower or
the Middle Danube. No mention of their name can be
EPILEGOMENA. XXXIX
traced higher than the reign of Caracalla; and (a fact of
primary importance) they were then in the country of the
Getee. So they were when Deems and Claudius fought
against them ; so they were when, pressed by the Huns,
they besought Valens to allow them to pass the Danube ; so
they were when Hermanric's kingdom was consolidated,
and so they were until they invaded Macedonia, Illyri-
cum, Greece, Italy, Southern Gaul, France and Spain. Of
all the Gothic families their migrations were the most consi-
derable.
It was a long one that took them from Germany to the
country of the Getee. It was a longer one which carried
them from the country of the Getee to Spain.
Of all the Gothic tribes the Goths Proper have most
merged their nationality in that of the countries which they
invaded. In Greece, in Italy, in Southern Gaul, and in
Spain, no Goths are to be found as a separate substantive
people ; and no known dialect definitely and unequivocally
represents the old Mceso- Gothic. On the Lower Danube
itself, the Goths of the Crimea, now no longer distinguished
by their German tongue, and, consequently, no longer easily
distinguishable from their neighbours, are their sole represen-
tatives — if such they can now be called. In Germany itself,
the mother-country, from which even at the beginning of their
history they were already separated, the Thuringian dialect is
supposed to be the most Gothic ; but this — a statement made
by Michaelis — has yet to be definitely confirmed.
But the history of the Ostro-Goths and Visi-Goths, is no
history of all the populations whose name was G-t, G-th,
or some similar form. Hence arises the long series of ques-
tions as to whether each population, thus connected in name,
were connected in other attributes also ; i.e., whether they
were really Goths, or only populations with a nominal resem-
blance.
I. Is there any connection between the Gothones and Go-
thini ? Three points connect them.
1. The similarity of names — Gothini as compared with
Gothones.
2. The fact that they each differ from the Slavonians of
xl THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
their neighbourhood — The Gothones are separated from the
Lygii, the Gothini from the Sarmatse.
3. Both were — according to the evidence — neither Ger-
man nor Sarmatian; since the Sarmata treated the Go-
thini as alienigenec, and the ^Estii spoke what Tacitus calls
British.
Do these three points of connection establish an ethnolo-
gical affinity ?
I will lay down what I conceive to be an hypothesis capable
of solving all, or nearly all, the difficulties arising from what
may be called the pluri-presence of the root G-t, G-th, in the
two names under consideration.
This is as follows : the root, G-th, was, in the case of
the Slavonic and Lithuanian populations, in the same predi-
cament with the root Gr-Jc, in the case of the Hellenic and
Italian.
With the Hellenes, Vgcuxoi was the name of a single popu-
lation within what, in the eyes of a Roman, constituted the
Hellenic area ; and the name was, almost certainly, native.
With the Italians, it was the name, not only for that par-
ticular tribe, but for the collective Hellenes also.
Mutatis mutandis. — With the Lithuanians the G-t (G-d,
G-th) was the name of a single population within what, in the
eyes of a Slavonian, constituted the Lithuanic area, and the
name was, almost certainly, native.
With the Slavonians it was the name not only of that
particular tribe, but for the collective Lithuanians also.
Thus — the ^Estii of Tacitus, the Easte of the Germans,
were called Guttones (Gothones) by the more northern
Slavonians of their frontier ; just as the T^cuzoi of Epirus
were called Graci by the Italians of the opposite coast.
And, the Gothini of Tacitus were called by a similar name
by the more southern Slavonians of their frontier, just as the
Athenian Hellenes and others were called Graci by the
Roman, Campanian, and other Italians.
Such is the hypothesis. I prefer this to believing that the
Gothones and Gothini were so much and so thoroughly one
and the same section of the same branch as for them to have
borne the same name from Gallicia to Courland : in other
EPILEGOMENA. xli
words, I believe the name to be native in one of the two cases
only ; so that the Goth-mi were G-t only in the eyes of
their Slavonic neighbours, just as a Peloponnesian was a Greek
in the eyes of a Roman only; whereas the Gothones (Guttones,
&c.) were G-t in the eyes of their Slavonic neighbours and
themselves as well, even as the Ygouzog of Epirus was doubly
Greek ; Greek when he spoke of himself, and Greek when
he was spoken of by a Roman.
The reason for drawing this distinction is as follows : —
a. There is no evidence of the numerous Lithuanic popula-
tions ever having had a collective or general name of their
own, however much they may have had one given them by their
Slavonic neighbours ; in both of these respects being exactly
in the same case as the Germans.
i. For the specific name of a particular Lithuanian popula-
tion (i.e., for a name equivalent to Chatti, Cherusci, of similar
divisions of the Germani), the term Gothones (Gothini, Gut-
tones, &c), if extended from Gallicia to Courland, is of im-
probable (I do not say impossible), extent. No single section
of a population is likely to have had so large an area.
c. The difference between the name of the people (Gothini),
and their language (Gallica), suggests the likelihood of the
native of the Gothini having been some form of Gal
(Hal, &c). In England, in the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries, the generality of writers spoke of the people of
Germany as Germans ; but of the language, as Butch, High
Dutch, or Low Dutch, as the case might be. Hence, we heard
of translations from the High Dutch, even though the people
who spoke it were called Germans.
Now I consider that the same Slavonians who spoke of
the people of Gallicia as Gothini (a presumed Slavonic form),
were also those who spoke of their language as Gallic (a pre-
sumed native form) ; even as one and the same population (the
English) spoke of the Dutch tongue and the German people.
And I also consider that those same Slavonians called the
language of the Gothini Gallic, because Gallic was the
native name of it ; just as the fact of Dutch being the native
name of the German, accounts for the terms High Dutch and
Low Dutch.
Xlii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
In denying the name G-t to be native to the Goth-ini,
I assume that there is no special evidence in favour of its
being so ; and such I believe to be the case.
In affirming the same name to be native to the Goth-ones,
I am prepared with evidence.
Is the name which in Tacitus takes the form Gothones
native or foreign? known to the tribes to which it applies, or
as strange to them as the term Welsh is to Cambrian ? This
is not answered in the reasoning upon the word JEstii ;
since it by no means follows that because one out of two
names given to a country is undoubtedly foreign, the other
is necessarily indigenous. The fact of the term Gothones
being indigenous is not a legitimate inference from the exotic
character of the name JEslii. Just as the latter designation
was German, the former may have been Slavonic; and the
one may have been as unlike the real native name as the
other.
Prsetorius, a Pole, writing a.d. 1688, in his Orbis Gothicus,
devotes two sections to the following questions : —
" An reliquiae nominis Gothici in terris European Sarmatias
rcperiantur ?
" Unde nominis Guddce contemptus hodie in Prussia V
From these we learn that the Samogitians, Eussians,
Lithuanians, Prussians, Zalavonians, Nadravians, Natravians,
Sudovians, Mazovians, and the inhabitants of Ducal Prussia
were called Guddons by the people about Koningsberg, and
that this name was a name of contempt, accounted for by the
extent to which the populations to which it applied, had
retained their paganism against the efforts of the propagators
of the Prussian Christianity. " Guddarum infidelium nomen
existit, adeo ut Gothus sive Guddus idem iis qui paganus et
ethnicus, hostisque Christianitatis audierit."*
That it was also Slavonic is shown by a line from an old
Tshekh (Bohemian) poem.
Gotskyja krasnyja diewy na brezje sinemu morju.
Gott-ish fair maidens on bank of (the) blue sea.
In order to appreciate the full import of the previous state-
* Lib. i. cap. i.
EPILEGOMENA. xliii
ment, I must anticipate a part of my inquiry. Good writers
have identified those Guddons with the German Goths. As,
however, they by no means overlook the fact of the Guddons
being Lithuania, they must suppose that the name was
retained from that of the earlier Goths subsequently replaced
by Lithuanians. In which case, the newer inhabitants,
instead of retaining the name which they brought with them
from their own country, took that of the older population.
Now even in its most moderate form, this assumption is
considerably opposed to the usual course of ethnological
changes, or rather the usual course of ethnological changes is
opposed to it. In the first place, there are two cases of the
incorporated and amalgamated aborigines of a country taking
the name of their conquerors to one of the converse process.
Thus France takes its name from the German Franks, and
England from the German English, instead of the Franks
taking their name from the Gauls, or the Angles from the
Britons. Still the converse takes place sometimes ; and, as if
for the sake of invalidating the very connexion in question,
one of the best instances of it is supplied by the very district
under consideration. As far as any change took place at all
in respect to the conquerors of the parts about the Lower
Vistula it was just the contrary to the particular instance
assumed to be the general rule. The German Prussians of
Prussia did take the name of the aboriginal Prus.
Now if the name Prussian were adopted by the conquerors,
who were really Germans, from the conquered, how unlikely
is it that the lower orders, — the rural population of the agri-
cultural districts, pre-eminently tenacious of nationality, who
were really Lithuanians, should adopt the name of any
previous Germans. In this respect, then, the assumption
that the term Guddon is proof of the Guthones being German
Goths is faulty.
Again — that the term Guddon comes from Gothon — is
generally admitted. Even, as it is, the preservation of it
is remarkable. But it becomes doubly remarkable if we
assume a total change of population to have taken place
between the time of its first application and the present.
As it is — the population being supposed to have remained
xliv THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
unaltered — we have only to account for its permanence.
Assume, however, a change, and you have an additional
complication ; since you have to account for its transfer as
well.
The present existence, then, of the term Guddon = Go-
thon — is an argument, as far as it goes, against any change
of the original population ; or, changing the expression, the
supposed immigration of Lithuanians, and displacement of
Germans, which has been shown to be improbable in itself,
is rendered more so by the details that must be assumed if
we suppose that the Guddon took their name from any Gut-
tones who were German.
In order to make the Gothini as Lithuanic as the Gothones,
we must suppose one of two things, either that the former
were an outlying isolated section of the Lithuanic stock, or
that the intervening areas between the Gothini and Go-
thones were Lithuanic. Are there any reasons against the
latter view — reasons against assuming the continuity of a
Lithuanic population from the Carpathians to the Baltic
(and vice versa), from the mere magnitude of the area ? None.
The Lygian, which was parallel with it, is, in the same
direction (from south to north), fully or nearly as large.
From the present distribution of the Lithuanian dialects,
there are several ; but that these are not insuperable, is shown
in the Prolegomena.
I do not, however, press the point, since the approach of
the Gothini to the servile condition indicates the possibility
of their having been an outlying colony of captives.
All that I urge is the reference of the two (Gothini and
Gothones) to a common ethnological division (that division
being the Lithuanic), and the hypothesis which accounts for
the similarity of names.
I also urge the necessity of bringing the older Lithuanians
as far south as the parts just north of Gallicia, even if we
hesitate to continue them up to the very country of the
G-othones.
For clear and definite history, — and we must remember
that history for these parts begins but little before the twelfth
century — brings a Lithuanian population as far in the direc-
EPILEGOMENA. xlv
tion of the Gothini as the head-waters and marshes of the
Pripecz.
The south-western branch of the Lithuania family was
well-nigh destroyed in the latter half of the thirteenth cen-
tury (a.d. 1264 to a.d. 1282); a branch containing the
important nations of the Pollexiani and Jaztvingi.
1. The first, — " Sunt autem Pollexiani Getharum seu Prus-
sorum genus, gens atrocissima, omnium ferarum immanitate
truculentior, propter vastissimas intercapedines, propter con-
cretissimas nemorum densitates, propter bituminata inacces-
sibilia palustria."
2. The second, — " Est autem Jaczwingorum natio versus
aquilonarem plagam, Masovite, Bussia et Lithuania? terris
contermina, sita, cum Pruthenica et Lithuanica lingua habens
magna ex parte similitudinem et intelligentiam, populos habens
immanes et bellicosos, et tarn laudis quam memoriae avidos."
— Dlugoss. i. p. 770. "(Maslaus Mazovitarum princeps) Pru~
thenicis auxiliis subnixus — Pruthenos, ad quos confugerat,
Jacuingos, Slonenses, ceterique Pruthenici tractus barbaros,
resarciendum casum acceptum pluribus blandimentis et per-
suasionibus in bellum sollicitat. ,, — Id. i. 223.
Such the evidence of their existence.
Of their extinction, — a.d. 1264: — Boleslaus, the Grand
Duke of Lithuania, so reduced them that — ' ; eo uno prcelio
omnis fere gens omnisque natio Jaczwingorum adeo deleta
et extincta est, ut ceteris et his quidem paucis et agrestibus
aut valetudinariis in ditionem Boleslai concedentibus, aut
Lithuanis se conjungentibus, hactenus ne nomen quidem Ja-
czwingorum extetT — Ding. i. p. 771.
Again — " Omnisque natio Jaczwingorum eo bello (quo-
niam pedem referre nee unquam pugnam etiam iniquam
detrectare voluit) deleta est, ut pauci agrestes superstites
essent, extunc et in temporibus nostris Lithuanis con-
juncti, sicque nomen Jaczwingorum perrarum et paucis notum
extety
In the following list of varieties, to which a name so emi-
nently Sarmatian in sound as Jaczwing undergoes in different
MSS. and authors, the last is remarkably like the form
Gothin-i, since we must remember that the termination -zita is
Xlvi THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
an affix — Jazwingi, Jatwjezi, Jatwejczi, Jentuisiones, Jen-
tuosi, Jacintiones, Getwe-zit tot6 'Pco/xalcov yvcopi/JLol T6 virripyov ical aXicifioi
elvcti ehoKovv ' 3]/x6t9 he ol vvv ovt6 tafiev avTOV^, ovTe, oljiai,
elo-ofjueOa, Tvypv fiev hiafydapevTas, Tvyov he a)? it opp cot cut co
tieTavao-TavTas. — Agathias, v. 11.
Still the similarity of the name is remarkable.
Considering, however, that their neighbours on the south
were the Goths of the Danube, that the name is by no means
necessarily native, that their country was the water-shed of
the Vistula and Bug, and that fairguni= hill* in Gothic, it is
by no means unlikely that, different as were the nations, these
names may have been the same, i.e., the German form for
Highlander. Still it is quite as likely to be accidental ; and,
if the Burugundi of the Bug were Bulgarians, is so.
But the difficulty does not end here. Ptolemy has, besides
his povyovvhla)vepovyovvhia)ve<;,
because Ptolemy mentions both ; and that we must consider
the former to be the Burgundians of Franconia, because
Ptolemy does not mention these latter.
* See page lv.
lviii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
We must do this, in order to avoid accusing a good writer
of an omission on one side, and a repetition on the other.
Then, as to the locality,
a. The 'VovTLKKetoL are on the Lower Vistula.
b. The Lygll- Omani, in the western part of Poland.
c. The Semitones, in Saxony. This leaves those parts of
Lusatia and Silesia, which were not occupied hy the StXlyyoi
as the country of the Bovyouvrac, too far to the north west for
the <$>povyovv8i(ove<;, and too far to the east for the Bur-
gundians.
It is nearest, however, to the former ; and hence it is the
word <$>povyovv8iC0ve<;, a term in Slavonic rather than German
ethnology, of which the name Bovyovvrcu obscures the im-
port.
At the same time, the complication which the two terms
introduce in the otherwise clear and simple history of the
true and undoubted Germanic Burgundians of Franconia and
Burgundy, is by no means inconsiderable, neither does the
present writer pretend to explain it.
All that he is inclined to do, is in the way of a negation.
He is not prepared to connect the three by migrations and
counter-migrations, simply and solely on the strength of the
similarity of name.
$ XIV. THE FRANKS.
If Frank, =free, express an attribute, the name may appear
as often as the attribute occurs.
That Frank was the name of a confederation rather than
of a particular nation, is generally believed ; all the members
of it agreeing in calling themselves free.
Believing this, I believe that the view it involves may be
extended ; and that just as more nations than one formed a
Frank confederacy, more confederacies than one may be
included in the Frank name ; and, if more confederacies,
more sections and sub-sections of the Germanic stock.
Hence, instead of assuming migrations (many of them in
the face of historical probabilities), to account for the Franks
of France, the Franks of Franche- Comte, and the Franks of
EPILEGOMENA. lix
Franconia, we may simply suppose them to be Franks of
a different division of the Frank name.
All that follows from the proposed latitude given to the
name Marcomanni, follows from the proposed latitude given
to the name Frank.
Indeed, if we look at their geographical distribution, we
shall find that the Franks were the Marchmen of the Roman
frontier ; and I submit to the reader the doctrine, that
they called themselves Franks because they were so, i.e., in
opposition to their fellow-Germans, who were subject to
Rome.
A German of the Decumates agri was not a Frank (though
he might be an Alemann), because he was not really free.
The Burgundian of the interior country was not a Frank.
Really free he was ; but as his freedom was not contrasted
with the dependence of his neighbours, it was not necessary
for him to call himself so.
What is gained by the hypothesis ? To say nothing about
the minor migrations, it gets over (amongst others) the fol-
lowing great difficulty.
The Franks of Franconia are High ; those of the Lower
Rhine, Low Germans.
Such the hypothesis.
I. The Franks of the southern frontier. — Probus had to deal
with both Alemanni and Franks. It is probable that these
were the Franks of Franconia.
The Franks whom Aurelian chastised, were certainly so ;
and, upon the whole, I think it is these Franconian Franks
(the Franks of the Upper Rhine) who appear earliest
in history. Even if they do not, they appear far too soon
to have the name accounted for by any conquests or migra-
tions ; movements either way, from the Upper to the Lower,
or from the Lower to the Upper Rhine, involving equally
great, though different difficulties.
The measure of the southern, or Franconian Frank con-
quest, is to be found in the name Franche-QomtQ ; this being
to them as Alsatia is to the Alemanno-Suevians, and Bur-
gundy to the Burgundians.
The geographical relations of Franche-Comte and Bur-
IX THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
gundy, along with the Frank character of the (geogra-
phically) Burgundian Merovingians, give the chief reason
for believing that those tribes who were politically Franks
of the Upper Rhine, were geographically and ethnologically
Burgundians, at least for the middle portion of them. The
southern members of this group were probably Suevian, the
northern Hessian.
Again — the relations of the Burgundian Gunther to the
Frank Sigfrid, in the traditions embodied in the Nibelungen
Lied connect the two.
II. The Franks of the northern frontier.-^-The chief tribes
who, ethnologically, formed this district were, as long as
the early name (the name by which they were known to the
Gauls) preponderated, Sicambri. In detail, they were Gam-
brimi, Marsi, Gugemi, and, probably, JJbii, Usipii, and
Tencteri, Bructeri, &c.
When known as Germans, the collective name was out
of place ; since Tiberius, Drusus, and the other conquerors of
the Lower Rhine, had not so much to deal with Germans
as opposed to Gauls, as with Germans as opposed to each
other. Hence came the less necessity for a collective name,
and the greater necessity for a number of specific ones. The
Sicambri of the Gauls are now the Bructeri, Tubantes, &c,
of the Germans.
When the necessity for the distinction between the de-
pendent Germans of the Roman territory, and the free
Germans of the frontier (March) became necessary, the
necessity of a general name came in again. This general
name was Frank. The Franks of the Lower Rhine seem to
have heen chiefly Platt-Deutsch, though, partially, Old Saxon
and Frisian as well.
The time of the actions of the Franks of the Lower
Rhine, was a little later than that of those of the Upper ; but
it lasted longer. Its development consisted in the conquests
of Olovis and Charlemagne. Its measure is to be found in the
name France, and in the Saxon and Slavonian conquests.
In France, the Franks of the Lower Rhine, and the Franks
of the Upper Rhine, met in the parts about Franche-Comte,
and combined ; the former swamping the latter, and making
EPILEGOMENA. Ixi
it appear as if Franche-Gomte and France took their name
from the same Franks — such not being the case.
Again — the Franks of France appropriated the traditions
of those of Burgundy, and, deducing themselves from Me-
roveus, became Merovingians ; though that name is Burgun-
dian.
The Franks of the Lower Ehine, like the Goths, much as
they have conquered, have failed in continuing the existence
of their Frank character. Those of France are French-
men ; those of Low Germany, read in High German — their
chief spoken language, the Platt-Deutsch dying out.
In Holland alone are they a separate substantive people —
in Holland, minus Friesland.
It was the Low-German Franks who swept before them,
and extinguished the Saxons — the continental ancestors of
the English.
III. The Franks of the middle frontier. — These, as being
difficult to separate on their southern and northern frontiers
from those of Burgundy and Lower Rhine, have heen taken
last in order. They are the Hessian Franks (Chattische
Franken) of Zeuss. Their history is less obscure than un-
distributed, i.e., distinguished from that of the Franks above
and below them.
Still there are the Franks, whose legends Sigfrid and the
Nibelungen Lied represent, Franks more High than Low
Germanic, as shown by the great extent to which Burgun-
dians come in contact with the hero of that poem ; which
the Salian or Ripuarian Franks do not.
5 xv. THE SALII.
Franks, in respect to their independence, the Salii were,
probably, intrusive Low Germans ; their locality being the
present /SW-land, near Deventer, and the banks of the Y-sel.
§ XVI. THE RIPUAEII.
Ethnologically, the Bip-uavii were Franks of the Bipee
(the hanks of the Rhine), &c.
lxii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Their name shows the possibility of a hybrid word ; since
-uarii=the -iceere in Cant-to9.
I follow Zeuss in giving the Greek name (Tw?) of this
people ; since the form Russian would convey a wrong idea.
No name is involved in more difficulties.
No history is more interesting.
The result of an attempt to construct a probable hypo-
thesis out of the valuable facts given by Zeuss (ad v.), is
as follows : —
In the eighth, ninth, and tenth centuries, the Dnieper,
Volga, and Don, played the same part in determining a
distant fluviatile migration with the Scandinavians, that the
Danube is supposed to have done with the Thuringian and
Bavarian Germans ; or (mutatis mutandis) a series of migra-
EPILEGOMENA. lxiii
tions in boats similar to that which took the Germans to
Moesia, took the Norsemen to the Black and Caspian Seas.
Just, too, as the navigation of the Upper Danube implies
the occupancy of some part of its banks, I imagine that those
parts of Russia, where the systems of the Dnieper and Volga
come in closest contact, were the seats of certain Norsemen ;
intrusive members of the Scandinavian division, who had
penetrated from the Baltic to the head- waters of the rivers
in question, at the expense of the original Lithuanians and
Ugrians. The undoubted fluviatile character of this migra-
tion is an argument in favour of that of the Goths of Moesia
having been fluviatile also.
The evidence in support of this doctrine is as follows : —
1. The expedition which brought the Norsemen to Con-
stantinople was by water : — Kar etcelvov jap rbv /ccupbv to
puaupovoorarov rwv 1,KV0cbv eOvos, ol \e evl rpoyavrr)pi rfkoiov roiiq iravras a^ivac?
KarepuekLo-av. — Vita S. Ignatii.
2. It was fluviatile, i.e., via a river rather than the ocean.
The proof of this lies in a long quotation from the Arabian
writer Ibn Fozlan, to be found in Zeuss (p. 550), describing
their descent upon Georgia and Ajerbijan, by means of a fleet
on the Caspian.
3. It was Norse : — " Misit etiam (Theophilus) cum eis
quosdam, qui se, id est gentem suam B/ws vocari dicebant,
quos rex illorum, Chacanus vocabulo, ad se amicitise, sicut
asserebant, causa direxerat, petens per memoratam epistolam,
quatenus benignitate imperatoris redeundi facultatem atque
auxilium per imperium suum totum habere possent, quoniam
itinera, per quse ad ilium Constantinopolim venerant, inter
barbaras et nimiae feritatis gentes immanissimas habuerant,
lxiv THE GERMANY OF TACITUS-
quibus eos, ne forte periculum inciderent, redire noluit.
Quorum adveiitus causam iiuperator diligentius investigans,
comperit eos gentis esse Sueonum, explovatores potius regni
illius nostrique quam amicitise petitores ratus, penes se eousque
retinendos judicavit, quod veraciter invenire posset, utrum
fideliter eo necne pervenerint ; idque Theophilo per memoratos
legatos suos atque epistolam intimare non distulit, et quod
eos illius auiore libenter susceperit, ac si fideles invenirentur,
et facultas absque illorum periculo in patriam remeandi
daretur, cum auxilio remittendos ; sin alias, una cum missis
nostris ad ejus prsesentiam dirigendos, ut quid de talibus fieri
deberet, ipse decernendo efficeret. 1 '' — Annal. Bertin. Pertz i. 434.
The only shade that has been thrown over this conclusion
is the apparent use of the Turk word Chacan = Khan ; but
Zeuss well suggests that this is no Turk title, but the Norse
proper name Hakon.
And, to confirm all this, Liutprand writes : — " Gens quae-
dam est sub aquilonis parte constituta, quam a qualitate
corporis Grseci vocant Bussos, nos vero a positione loci voca-
mus Nordmannos. Lingua quippe Teutonum nord aquilo,
man autem mas seu vir dicitur, unde et Nordmannos aquilo-
nares homines dicere possumus. Hujus denique gentis rex
Inger vocabulo erat, qui collectis mille et eo amplius navibus
Constantinopolim venit. — Compositis itaque secundum jussio-
nem suam chelandriis, sapientissimos in eis viros collocat
(Romanus Imperator), atque ut regi Ingero occurrant, denun-
ciat. Profecti denique, cum in pelago eos impositos rex
Inger aspicerit, exercitui suo prsecepit, ut viros illos caperet
et non occideret. Denique miserator et misericors Dominus,
qui se colentes, se deprecantes, se adorantes non solum prote-
gere, verum etiam victoria voluit honorare, ventis tunc placi-
dum reddidit mare. Secus enim ob ignis emissionem Grsecis
erat incommodum. Igitur in Russorum medio positi ignem
circumcirca projiciunt. Quod dum Russi conspiciunt, e navi-
bus confestim sese in mare projiciunt eliguntque potius aquis
submergi, quam igni cremari. Alii tunc loricis et galeis
onerati, nunquam visuri ima pelagi petunt, nonnulli vero
natantes inter ipsos maris fluctus uruntur, nullusque die ilia
evasit, qui fuga sese ad terram non liberavit. Russorum
EPILEGOMENA. Ixv
etenlm naves ob parvitatem sui ubi aquae minimum est
transeunt, quod Grraecorum clielandria ob profunditatem sui
facere nequeunt. Ingenti Inger confusione postmodum ad
propria est reversus. Grraeci vero victoria potiti, vivos secum
multos ducentes, Constantinopolim regressi sunt leeti. Quos
omnes Romanus in preesentia Hugonis nuncii, vitrici scilicet
mei, decollari prtecepit." — Liutprand, Hist. v. 6.
Lastly (and this also indicates the flnviatile character of
the invasion as well), a remarkable passage in Constantinus
Porphyrogenita not only distinguishes the Buss tongue from
the Slavonic, but gives the names of the different falls of the
Dnieper in both languages. Zeuss quotes Lehrberg, as having
shown the Buss forms to be Norse ; and without saying that
the others are not, I admit that two of them are undoubtedly
so; being compounds of the Norse word, fors=force, in pro-
vincial English, = waterfall. — Ets rbv rrk^rrrov ^pa'yfjbbv rbv
e7rovo/u,a^6fievov 'Vcocnarl fiev BapovcjiSpos, 'SfcKaSivto-rl 8e
BovXvrjTrpdx' Slotl fie'ydXTjv \[[xvrjv d-TTorekel. — Constant, de
A dm. Imp. c. 9.
Again,
Ei? rbv erepov 9 Se ol
Apo/jLirai pd>y>ya)v
KaOiaravrai.
S
lxvi THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Zeuss compares this with the Norse rds=6p6jjbo<; = race
(the same word).
Against it are —
a. The utter absence of any such name applied to any
portion of the Norsemen, in any of the numerous Norse
writings.
b. Its present power, as the name of so large a country as
Russia, with so few definite traces of Norse occupancy.
c. The name Rhoxolani, of a nation between the Don and
Dnieper.
The following view is considered to reconcile these diffi-
culties.
Previous to the descent on the Euxine and Caspian, the
Norsemen conquered and occupied the country of the Rhox-
lanes, and, after they had become known to their neighbours
as Rhos, harassed the eastern empire.
In being known to their neighbours by the name of the
country they occupied, they were like the present Spaniards
of Mexico.
The question as to the stock to which those Rhox-lani
belonged, will bring with it a fact confirmatory of the pre-
vious view. Although we nowhere find that the Norsemen
in question themselves called themselves Ros, the Finlanders at
the present moment call them Ruots-alamen, and their country
Ruotsi.
This is a fact which has long been known. It has also
long been known that -lainen is the regular Finlandic ter-
mination for gentile nouns. Such being the case, the word
'Pco^oXavol has long been looked on as a genuine Ugrian
gloss ; and as Strabo mentions the Rhoxolani, there must
have been, in his time, not only Ugrians in Russia, but
Ugrians so near the Euxine as for words of their tongue to
reach his informants.
Such I believe to have been the case. I think that there
were Ugrians as far south as the Lower Danube. This con-
firms the notion that Russia was not originally Slavonic*
It also confirms the notion that there were Ugrians in South
Europe before the Majiar invasion.
* See Prolegomena, § vi.
EPILEGOMENA, Ixvii
Strabo's notice of the Blioxolani is as follows : — 'H o°
virepKeifxevq iraaa ^mpa tov \e%devTO fiera^v Bopvadevow?
real "larpov, 7rpa)T7) fiiv ecniv rj twv Vercov ip^pjea' eireiTa
01 Tvptjirat' fieO^ 0D9 ol 'id^vyes ^appbarai, koX ol Baatkeiot
Xeyo/xevoi, teal Ovpyoi, to fiev nfXeov vofidhe?, oklyoi Se teal
yea>py[as eTn/jbeXov/jbevoy tovtovs (fiacrl xal irapa tov "laTpov
ol/ceiv, i(f> ifca,T€pa 7roWdfci%oXava>v el
TLves oIkovo-lv, ovk icr/aev. — Strabo, vii. p. 306.
From this it follows that modern Russia has taken its
name, not — ■
a. From any dominant Norse conquerors, so-called ; but —
h. From a portion of its area called Buotsi, originally occu-
pied by Ugrian Buotsolane, but afterwards by Norsemen
(chiefly Swedes), to whom the neighbouring nations extended
the name of the territory.
In other words, the Northmen of Buotsi were called Bus,
even as an Angle of Britannia might be called Britannus.
$> XIX. THE CHATTUARXI.
The 'Pw? were connected with the Varangi, but, as the
Varangi were connected with the Franks in name only, the
two previous sections have been, to a certain extent, epi-
sodical.
I. True occupants of Frank localities, and probably true
members of a Frank confederacy are the Chattuarii.
This is no Low German form of the word Chas-uarii ;
although, at the first view, it seems such ; since the single s
has a less tendency to become t than the double one ; or
(changing the expression), the High German s most usually
becomes t in Low German when the vowel that precedes it is
short. Now, the a in Chas-waxn is long ; since it represents
the a in name of the river Hase. Hence, Chas-u&ni and
Chatt-waxn are not in the same relation to each other as
is to Chatti.
s 2
lxviii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Like Tacitus, Dion makes no mention of the Chattu-ariL
Strabo does ; his form being XarTovdpioi,.
So does Velleius Paterculus ; his form being Attu-avu.
Ptolemy's XairovcopoL introduce a complication which will
be noticed in the sequel.
The locality of the Chatt-uarii of Strabo and Paterculus
was the watershed of the Ruhr and Lippe. Strabo mentions
them in conjunction with the Gambrivii, and Paterculus with
the Bructeri — " Intrata prot.inus Germania, subacti Canine-
fates, Attuarii, Bructeri, recepti Chei-usci." — ii. 105.
They increase in historical prominence as we advance ; and
in the reign of Julian, Ammianus writes " Rheno exinde
transmisso regionem subito pervasit Francorum quos Attu-
arios vocaiiC — xx. 10.
Between the eighth and eleventh centuries the name is
common, and numerous documents speak of the terra, pagus
and comitatus of the Chatuarii, Hattuarii, Hazzoarii,* Atu-
arii, JIattera,f and Hettera, and numerous places are men-
tioned as lying within it.
All these lay on the western side of the Rhine, i.e., on
the Niers, a feeder of the Maas ; so that the minute ethno-
logist may divide the Attuarii of the middle-age writers into
the eastern and western branches.
" In a.d. 715 Saxones vastaverunt terram Cliatuariorum?
— Annal. S. Amand. Pertz. i. 6.
But the most interesting fact connected with the Chatt-
uarii is the occurrence of their native name Hwt-ware in the
Traveller's Song, and Beowulf.
The king, whose son, the hero of the great Angle epic,
Beowulf, succeeded, bore a name the form of which was —
In a.s., Higelac —
In Icelandic, Hugleikr —
In Latin, Chochilaichus ;
being, variously called, a Dane, a Geat, and an Angle.
His descent upon one of the pagi of King Theodoric is thus
mentioned by Gregory of Tours : — " His ita gestis Dani cum
rege suo, nomine Chochilaicho, evectu navali per mare
* A near approach to the form Chasuarii.
t Compare this with Bructeri, as opposed to Boructuarii.
EPILEGOMENA. lxix
Gallias appetunt, egressiqne ad terras pagum unum cle regno
Theodorici devastant atque captivant, oneratisque navibus
tam de captivis quam de reliquis spoliis reverti ad patriam
cupiunt. Seel rex eorum in litus residebat, donee naves
altnm mare comprenderent, ipse deinceps secuturus ; quod
cum Theodorico nuntiatum fuisset, quod scilicet regio ejus
fuerit devastata, Theodebertum, filium suum, in illas partes
cum valido exercitu ac magno armorum apparatu direxit.
Qui, interfecto rege, hostes navali prcelio superatos opprimit,
omnemque rapinam terra? restituit.' - ' — iii. 3.
Now from Beowulf we learn that the pagus of the Franks
who killed Higelac was that of the Hat- ware.
In a document of a.d. 769, we find — " Silva quse vocatur
Heissi, in aquilonari parte fluvii Rurse."
Later still we find the form Hese, and, at the present
moment, there is a town called Heis-'mgen, on the right bank
of the Ruhr, between Essen and Werden.*
These names, then, as well as that of the town of Essen,
give us the area of those Germans who were called in Platt-
Deutsch —
a. Chatt-narii, or ^4^-uarii.
b. In High German Hazz-o&n\.-\
Whose name also was either compound or simple, i.e.,
Chattuarii or Chatti, Hazzoarii or Hesse ; this latter form
being preserved in the present form, Essen ; which is High
German in respect to the ss, but Old Saxon in respect to the
omission of the initial aspirate.
In Tacitus (Ann. i. 50, 51) we find a notice of the Silva
Casia, the locality of the Marsi, and the seat of the worship
of the dea Tacfana.
This looks like the name of the country about Essen in its
oldest forms.
The connection between the Marsi, Gambrivii, and other
populations belonging to the Sicambrian division, with the
Chattuarii, is somewhat doubtful.
The name may have originated in the root Ctes- of the
silva Casia, and so have been older than that of the popula-
* D. S. ii. 620. f But not Has-\ia,ni=Chas-'aimi.
lxx THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
tion ; a fact indicated by the termination -weere = -uarii =
-cola in Latin, — Chatt-uarii = Chess-Mam = Casi-colce.
In this case, Chattuarii is the Low German form of a name
of the Marsi and others, taken from the forest district they
occupied, — -just as numerous minor tribes might be called
Hercynic, or Bacenic, from the Hercynian or Bacenian
forests.
But it may also indicate a settlement of intrusive Chatti
from Hesse, and the name be newer than the population.
I incline to the former of these views ; still admitting the
difficulty involved in the fact of populations with names so
like as Chatt-uav'n (= Cctsi-cola), C%as-uarii (occupants of the
Hase), and Chatti (occupants of Hesse) being so-called, inde-
pendent of any special connection.
The hypothesis that the silva Ccesia was a common rather
than a proper name, and, as such, one which might occur in
more districts than one, would solve the difficulty. The
solution, however, is, at best, but hypothetical. If valid,
however, Hesse itself might be but a silva Cas-ia, just as
Burgundy was a Virgunt.
Llence, the Chattuarii were High Germans or Low Ger-
mans, according to the view we take of the origin of their
name. Or they may have been modified High Germans —
High Germans in origin, but Low Germans in locality, and
several other characteristics.
We have seen that, although the word Chatt-uarii is not
the Low German form for the Chas-uanx of the Hase, it is
something of the kind. It is the Low German name of the
Hazz-oarii of Essen, and the parts about that town.
If Low Germans, they were, probably, Platt-Deutsch
rather than Saxon, and Frisian rather than Platt-Deutsch —
the reasoning running thus : —
a. Their hostility to the Saxons is evidence, as far as it
goes, for the two populations belonging to different divisions.
b. The occupants of the Gau Destarbenzon, within the
Chattuarian area, were Frisians. — " Frisiones qui vocantur
Destarbenzon." — Annal. Fuld. ad an. 885. Pertz i. 402.
II. The Attuarii of the Doubs. — In Prolegomena, § xn., it
was stated that certain Chamavi and Chatt-uarii seem to have
EPILEGOMENA. Ixxi
been removed from the lower Rhine to Burgundy, as colo-
nists, and to have settled on the Doubs.
From the end of the eighth century downwards, the notices
of a pagus, and comitatus Attuariorum are numerous, — the
locality being the valleys of the Vincenne, Tille, and Beze,
and the neighbouring parts of the water-system of the
Doubs.
The pagus Commavorum joined the pagus Attuariorum on
the Doubs, even as the areas of the Chamavi and Attuarii
were conterminous on the Lower Rhine. For the numerous
references to these interesting settlements, see Zeuss, pp. 582
— 584. They deserve more attention from local antiquaries
than they have found.
III. The Xatrovcopot of Ptolemy. — This writer, who says
nothing about any Chatt-uarii on the Lower Rhine, places a
population with a name so like it as Xair-ovcopoi, on the part
between the Upper Rhine and Danube, amongst the Dan-
duti, Turones, Merovingi, and other widely different sections
of the Germanic population ; and, to add to the confusion,
he places Kaa-ovdpot, not very far from Xatr-ovcopot.
Is this to be put down to erroneous information, and to
pass as inaccuracy l Probably. At the same time an
intrusion of Chatti, from the southern portion of their area
may have taken place, and the name Chassi, or Chasuarii
{Hazzi or Hazz-oarii) have thus originated. The Low
German form in -t-, however, is against this view.
The fact of an inaccuracy is the likelier.
§ XX. THE SUEVI.
I. The Suevi of Suabia. — The name of the country called
Suabia is a true ethnological term, even as Franconia is one.
The one means the country occupied by the Suevi, the other
the country occupied by the Franks. Bavaria is another
such name, derived from the Boii. Saxony is in a similar,
though somewhat different, predicament. They all, however,
agree in being names of countries derived from their po-
pulations, Hesse is, probably, the same, and Thuringia
also,
lxxii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
At what time the name first became an unequivocal
geographical designation* of what now, in the way of politics,
coincides with the Grand Duchy of Baden and part of Wur-
temburg, and, in respect to its physical geography, is part of the
Black Forest, is uncertain. It was not, however, later than
the reign of Alexander Severus (ending a.d. 235) — the Ta-
bula Peutingeriana being supposed to be referable to that
date. Therein, Alamannia and Suevia appear together —
as terms for that part of Germany which had previously
gone under the name of Decumates agri, and the parts about
the Limes Romanus.
With this, then, begins the history of the Suevi of Suabia,
or, rather, of the Suabians. Their alliances were chiefly
with the Alamanni and Burgundians ; their theatre the Ger-
man side of France, Switzerland, Italy, and (in conjunction
with the Visigoths) Spain. Their epoch is from the reign
of Alexander to that of Augustulus, in round numbers, from
about a.d. 225 to a.d. 475, a period of two hundred and
fifty years.
Their maximum amount of historical prominence was the
time when Ricimer the Suevian, and Gundobald the Burgun-
dian, made and unmade such emperors as Severus and Oly-
brius, the immediate predecessors of Augustulus.
Now is the time to take a measure of the extent to which
the notion f that Suev- was no native German term at all,
but a Keltic name adopted by the Romans, is a paradox, or
a probable inference from the early notices of the populations
so-called.
1. It is not a question whether the root Suev- was Keltic
or not. It is known to have been so.
2. Nor is there much doubt about its having been from
the Gauls that the Romans took it : since it was probably
Gauls from whom Ceesar learned the names of the allies and
subjects of Ariovistus.
* Niebulir mentions an inscription noticing a Victoria Suevica in the
reign of Nerva. But there is no evidence of this having been a victory
over the Suevi of Suabia. Caesar's victory over the Suevi of Ariovistus was
a Victoria Suevica, hut no victory over the people of the Decumates agri.
f See Prolegomena, § xv.
EPILEGOMENA. lxxiii
The only doubt is about its being exclusively Keltic, i.e.,
not German.
The reason in favour of this view are, perhaps, all referable
to one head, viz., the facts which the hypothesis will account
for. Of these the chief are —
1. The generality of the term, as seen by the express
evidence of Tacitus himself.
2. The equally express evidence of Tacitus to the fact of
a general or common name for the Germans being recent;
and of that name being Germani — not Suevi.
3. The difficulty of making it apply to any great divisions
of the Germanic stock. For such, we have already, in the
names Ingeevones, Istwvones, and Herminones, more than we
can easily deal with.
4. The non-mention of the name Chatti in Csesar, combined
the high probability of some, at least, of Caesar's Suevi having
belonged to that branch.
5. The fact of Tacitus, who places the Chatti in Csesar's
locality of the Suevi, placing the Suevi to the east of it.
6. The difficulty of accounting for this by means of a
migration. Though Ctesar has no mention of the Chatti,
and Tacitus has, it is not Tacitus who first notices them.
The name appears in Strabo. Hence, if there were a real
bodily change of locality on the part of the Suevi, thus
supposed to have been driven eastwards by the Chatti, the
displacement must have occurred between the time of Caesar
and Strabo, i.e., between the time of Julius and Augustus
Csesar — and that without either the Romans of Gaul or the
Germans noticing it.
However, what a migration will not explain, the assump-
tion of the word Suevi being a synonym to some of the
previous names will. Suevi may mean Chatti. Suevi may
mean Hermunduri, or it may (as I believe it does) partially
coincide with both.
But what explains the synonym f Nothing better than the
existence of a second language, especially when that second
language is no fiction, but a i-eality.
What lies against this? I will put the only strong argu-
ment on this side of the question in its strongest form. From
Ixxiv THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
the middle of the third century* to the present day, the root
Suab-, or Suev-, has been a native German name for the
Germans of Suabia. Before this, we hear of Suevi, but their
locality is not Suabia.
What does this prove ? That Suev- was a German name
previously ? By no means. It merely proves that a certain
area was called by the Romans after a population named
Suevi, and that certain Germans who settled there took their
name from the area. Kent, at the present moment, is English,
and the Kent-ings who occupied part of it during the Anglo-
Saxon period were English. But does this make Kent an
English word ? No. It is British = Cant-ium, as is well-known.
Up to the time in question (i.e., the reign of Alexander),
the known facts are quite as much against Suev- being a
German root as in favour of it. Caesar's Suevi are described
by Gauls, and Tacitus's are in a locality which at one and the
same time is different from Caesar's, and Slavonic. No one,
who has realized the extent to which national names vary
with the language of the informants, will say that the root
Suev-, as applied to the subjects of Ariovistus, may not be
as exclusively Gallic, as the word Welsh is exclusively
Germanic.
Hence, up to the time in question, Suevia is simply the
name of the country of a population that the Romans and
Kelts called Suevi — a population which need not even be
Germanic, still less, necessarily, call themselves by Suev-.
* This is allowing the term Suevus, as applied to certain populations and
individuals (e.g., Ricimer) by the Latin writers, an excessive extension. The
same authors would have called Hengist, had such a personage been in Rome,
a Briton. Yet he was no such thing. Such a Cheruscan, too, as the bro-
ther of Arminius, would also have been called Germanus. Yet such a name
was strange to the individual himself. Similarly, Englishmen call Prince
Albert a German, and (perhaps) in speaking English he calls himself so.
Yet he is a Deutsche. These remarks are necessary, since the reader cannot
too clearly see that the question is not whether certain Suevi were Germans,
but whether such Germans called themselves Suevi. However, as the argu-
ment is put in its strongest form, the objection is not pressed : otherwise
the truly unexceptionable evidence of Suev- being a German root, begins
when the Germans of Suabia, unequivocally speaking of themselves, in their
own lan^uaoe call themselves Suuben. This is much later.
EPILEGOMENA. Ixxv
It is when we can find an undoubtedly Germanic popula-
tion in this country of Suevia calling themselves Suevi,
that the reasons in favour of its native origin begin to pre-
ponderate ; since the indigenous use of the name at one time
is strong prima facie evidence of its indigenous use at
another.
Whether, however, it be strong enough to set against the
series of facts with which the investigation commenced, com-
bined with the easy explanation of them by the hypothesis
that the word was originally other than German, is submitted
to the consideration of the reader.
All the difficulties are reducible to a single fact, viz.,
that the present undoubtedly German name Suabia has arisen
out of a Roman rather than a native appellation — the Roman
name itself having arisen out of a Keltic, the Keltic, perhaps,
out of a Slavonic. Whoever makes a difficulty of this should
remember that the word Germany itself is in the same
predicament.
But this implies that the ancestors of the present Suabians
became sufficiently Romanized to take for themselves a national
name, which the Romans had originally taken from the Gauls
— a strange name, in short. The following extracts suggest
the answer to this : —
" Avitus, on his arrival in Rome, was acknowledged
emperor ; but Ricimer, a Suevian of royal descent, was now
all-powerful in the city. All the barbarians, who acted a
prominent part at Rome, must not be looked upon as savages ;
they were Christians, and spoke and understood the lingua
vulgaris, which already resembled the Italian more than the
Latin ; they were just as civilised as our ancestors in the
middle ages. A few of them had a shadow of classical edu-
cation, as Theodoric, the Visigoth, and the younger Alaric :
but the case was quite different with Ricimer and his equals,
who no doubt heartily despised the culture of the Romans.
Those Germans, unfortunately, were not one shade better
than the effeminate Italians ; they were just as faithless and
cruel. * * * * Gundobald, king of the Burgundians,
who had now become patricius, and succeeded Ricimer, pro-
claimed Glycerius emperor. But the court of Constantinople
lxxvi THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
sent against him Julius Nepos, likewise a noble Roman, who,
with some assistance from Constantinople, took possession of
Rome and Ravenna. Glycerius abdicated ; but Orestes, a
Rinnan of Noricium, who had risen into importance as early
as the time of Attila, refused obedience to Nepos. After the
withdrawal of Gundobald from Italy, Orestes became patri-
cius, that is commander-in-chief. r> — Niebuhr, Lecture 138.
The countrymen, then, of Gundobald, at least, were Roman-
ized ; and that largely.
1 have said that the undoubted use of the root Suev-,* as
applied by certain Germans to themselves, is the only strong
reason against the original wow-Germanic character of the
word. As others, however, may be satisfied with the fol-
lowing derivation, it is laid before them : — Swabe, Middle
High German ; Sudpa, Old High German ; Svafas, Anglo-
Saxon, are derived from the root swiban = sway, move un-
steadily; and, hence, JSuevi (or Suebi) is the designation of a
people of unsteady migratory habits — vt unstdten (schweben-
den) Lebensweiser — Zeuss, p. 56.
It cannot be denied that the passage of Strabo confirms
this view : — Koivbv S' iarlv airacn T049 ravrrj to ire pi ra<;
p,eTavaaTacrec<; evp,apes, 8cd rrjv XcTorrjra rod /3lov /cal $ia
to p,r) yecopyelv, fi7]Se ^aavpl^euv, aX\! ev icaXv^LOLS ol/celv
iv e^eXacravTcov icai twv ap,cf)l KdvScSov 7re£eov eiri-
(p6acrdvTG)v, et iravrekr) (favyrjv ol fidpSapoc erpdirovro. 'E0'
EPILEGOMENA. Jxxxiii
oh ovro) Trpa^delaiv iv heet KaraaTavre^ etc irpoJTr) 1 ? eiri-
^eip?ere&)? oi /3dp£apoi,, Trpea&eis irapa KlXiov Bdcrcrov t-tjv
TlaLovlav 8ce7rovra ariWovai, BaXXo/xapiov re rbv ftaaiXea
M.apKo/jbdvv(t)v /cal erepovs heica, tear eOvos iiriXe^ajxevoi eva.
Kal op/cotg tt)v elprjvqv ot, irpeaQeLs Tricrrcoad/Mevoi ot/caSe
yoapovcriv.
The Greek source is important ; since, in Greek, the b
may have been sounded as v ; so that word may have been
Ovii to the ear.
Two other facts must be added : —
1 . That forms like Attuarii, as opposed to Chattuarii, show
the likelihood of an initial cli having been lost.
2. That most German national names could end either in
-n, or in a vowel — Seaxe and Seaxan, &c.
Putting all this together we find that the following legiti-
mate changes may give us Obii, Ovii, Oviones, Chaviones,
Aviones — this latter being a population we have met with
before, in the north.
Now few nations, during the time of their historical
prominence, were in closer political relations with the Lango-
bardi than the Heruli — and with the Chaviones the Heruli
were in close political relation also : — " Cum omnes barbarse
nationes excidium universse Gallise minarentur, neque solum
Burgundiones et Alamanni, sed et Chaviones M-ulique, viribus
primi barbarorum, locis ultiini, prsecipiti impetu in has pro-
vincias irruissent, quis deus tarn insperatam salutem nobis
attulisset, nisi tu adfuisses ? — Chaviones tamen JjJrulosque
. . aperto Marte, atque uno impetu perculisti, non universo ad
id proelium usus exercitu, sed paucis cohortibus. — Ita cuncti
Chaviones, EruHque cuncti tanta internecione csesi interfec-
tique sunt, ut exstinctos eos relictis domi conjugibus ac matribus
non profugus aliquis proelio, sed victorias tuee gloria nuntiaret."
— Mamertini Paneg. Maximiano Aug. dictus (an. 289), c.
5. " Laurea ilia Rhaetica et ilia Sarmatica te, Maximiane,
fecerunt pio gaudio triumphare. Itidem hie gens Chavionum
Erulorumqae deleta, transrhenana victoria et domitis oppressa
Francis bella piratica Diocletianum votorum compotem i-eddi-
derunt." — Ejusd. Paneg. Genethl. Maxim. Aug. diet. (an.
291), c. 7.
t 2
lxxxiv THE GERMANY OE TACITUS.
Taking this statement as I find it, 1 admit that the
Chaviones, a nation of northern Germany, may be brought as
far south as the Danube.
§ XXVII. THE LANGOBARDI OF LOMBARDY.
The first notice of these is that of Petvus Patricius. — See
§ Obii.
Then, after a long silence as to their acts, they appear on
the middle Danuhe, with the (so-called) traditions of Paulas
Diaconus (See Epilegomena, § vi.), as the Lombards of
Lombardy.
A shade of doubt (and to my mind it is a deep one) lies
in the fact of their previous name having been Winili, a form
suspiciously like Venedi. Still they are at least (if Slavonians)
Slavonians who, by the time they became the Lombards of
Lombardy, were thoroughly Germanized.
Their descent from the Lango-bards of Tacitus and
Ptolemy is a difficult question. Their locality in Rugiland
proves nothing : it is probably the land of the Rugii of the
Danube — not that of the Rugii of Tacitus.
Golandia has been supposed to be GW^-landia (=Goth-
land) ; but we must take the reading as we find it — especially
as there was a Lithuanic nation called Galinda.
The terminations -aib in Bant-aib and Wurgond-aib have
been supposed to be the German -eib : concerning which Mr.
Kemble, after explaining a word often mentioned in the
present pages * (Gau), adds, in a note, that the synonym Eib
is less common.
* " Next in order of constitution, if not of time, is the union of two or
three marks, in a federal bond for purposes of a religious, judicial or even
political character. The technical name for such a union is, in Germany, a
Gau or Bant ; in England the ancient name Ga has been almost universally
superseded by that of Scir, or Shire. For the most part the natural divisions
of the county are the divisions also of the Ga ; and the size of this depends
upon such accidental limits, as well as upon the character and dispositions
of the several collective bodies, which we have called Marks.
" The Ga is the second and final form of unsevered possession, for every
larger aggregate is but the result of a gradual reduction of such districts,
EPILEGOMENA. lxxxv
But is this the only analysis of the two words — Banthaib
and Wurcondaib ? I think not. The commonest of all the
terminations of the towns of Dacia was dava — Rusi-«fam, &c,
as may be seen by going no further than ArrowsmitlTs map.
Again, Bantaib is admitted by Zeuss to mean the -taib (or
-aib) of the Slavonic Antes.* As for the root Wurcond, it
is, at least, as likely to represent the Urugund- in Urugundi,
as the Burg- in the true Burgundians.
To all this must be added the remarks in the note in
v. Longobardi, suggesting that from the fact of the term
being an epithet rather than a separate substantive name,
there is a likelihood of there having been more Longobards
than one, and that independent of ethnological affinity.
Upon the whole, although the evidence of the Lombards
having originally been Goths or Germans, and the evidence of
their having effected a migration from north to south, are
not wholly unexceptionable, less objections lie against them
than against any other similar instance : and I only con-
sider it doubtful when it is made the basis of any ulterior
deductions — such as that of making some very doubtful Ger-
mans German, because they stood in certain relations to the
Lombards of Lombardy.
Perhaps the structure of the Lombard armaments may
have been like that of the Vandals, — German in respect to
its chiefs, Slavonic in respect to the bulk of the forces ; in
which case the Langobardi may have been the analogues of the
Astingi; in which case, too, they may have represented the
Langobardi of Tacitus. The distant migration of a cogna-
tio or silscea/t seeking war, is more likely than the distant
under a higher political or administrative unity, different only in degree,
and not in kind from what prevailed individually in each.
" The kingdom is only a larger Ga than ordinary, indeed the Ga itself
was the original kingdom. But the unsevered possession or property
which we thus find in the Ga is by no means to he considered in the
same light as that which has heen described in the Mark. The inhabitants
are settled as Markman, not as Gamen ; the cultivated land which lies
within the limit of the larger community is all distributed into smaller
ones." — Saxons in England, vol. i. 73.
* Probably, an eastern form of the word Wend.
IXXXV1 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
migration of a nation, broken up and weakened, as we know
the northern Lombards to have been.
$> XXVIII. THE GEPID.E.
The Gepidse are mentioned in the Traveller's Song as GifJ>as.
Their date and area are those of the Heruli and Longobards.
The tradition and the gloss Gepanta may be seen in
Jornandes, Epilec/omena, § v.
In Capitolinus we find notice of the Si-cobotes in the reign
of Marcus Antoninus, as members of the Marcomannic con-
federacy in the Marcomannic war. This has been supposed
to = Gepidee + the prefix Si- (or Sig-), just as was supposed
to be the case with $i-cambri.
Vopiscus, in his Life of Probus first mentions Gepidee —
•■ Cum et ex aliis gentibus plerosque pariter transtulisset,
id est ex Gepidis, Grautungis et Vandalis, ill 1 omnes fidem
fregerunt.'" — Prob. c. 18.
Mamertinus mentions their wars with the Tervings. ■ More
important, however, were their political relations with the
Longobards, the Avars, and the Thaifal.
Their seat was the Middle Danube, in Dacia ; their chief
King, Fastida, a name by no means unequivocally German
or Gothic.
Arda-ncA, another chief, has a more unequivocal name.
Jornandes separates them from the Winidse — " In qua
Scythia prima ab occidente gens sedit Gepidarum, quae
magnis opinatisque ambitur fluminibus. Nam Tisianus per
aquilonem ejus corumque discurrit. Ab africo vero magnus
ipse Danubius, ab euro fluvius Tausis secat, qui rapidus
ac verticosus in Histri fluenta furens devolvitur. Introrsus
illi Dacia est ad coronas speciem arduis Alpibus emunita,
juxta quorum sinistrum latus . . . Winidarum natio populosa
consedit." — C. 5.
The parts about Singidunum and Sirmium are their most
definite localities.
They afterwards became subject to the Huns.
An unknown writer of the ninth century says, " De Ge-
pidis autem quidam adhuc ibi resident.''''
EPILEGOMENA. Ixxxvii
Procopius makes them Goths ; but his language may apply
to their political relations, besides which, he connects them
with the Vandals, and says that they were originally called
Sauromatce and Melanchleeni — TorQuca edvrj iroXXa [xev teal
dXXa irpoTepov re r)v ical ravvv ecni, rd Se 6V/ iravrmv
fteyto-Ta re ical d^toXoycoTara TorOot re elat ical BavSiXot
teal Oviaiyordot ical r/]7rat8e$. UdXat pbhrot ^avpopbdrat
koX MeXdy^Xatvot eovopudtpvTO' elcrl 8e o't ical Yertfcd eOvq
ravr itcdXovv. OvTot diravre^ ovopacrt ptev dXXrjXcov Sta-
(pepovaiv, wcrrrep ecprjrat, aXX(p he tcov irdvrcov ovSevl
StaXXdaaovcrt. Aevtcol yap airavTes rd crdypbard re elcri teal
t«? /copras gavdol, evpurjiceis re ical dyaOol t«9 otyets, koI
vopuots p,ev Toi§ avrois yptovrcu, opboiws Se rd £9 tov Qebv
avrois 7](XKr]rai. Ttjs yap Apetov 86^779 elcrtv airavres, epeovt]
re at/rots icrn ptla, TotOlkt} Xeyopuevq, teal pboi Sokovv it; ej/09
puev elvat enravres to TraXaibv edvovs, bvopuaai he. varepov
twv e/cdv hcaiceKpladai. — Bell. Vandal, i. 2.
IJoXXqi he diroOev (t^9 MatcoTthos) TotOol re ical OvlcriyorOot
ical BavoiXot teal rd aXXa TorOttcd yevq gvfnravra ihpvvro.
—Bell. Goth. iv. 5.
He adds, too, '2tcippov£t, [xr)T€ rots
Bovppots, fjbrjre TOt BavS^Xot? TroXefAwcriv. — DioCass. lxxii.
p. 1204, Reim.
The third is a really substantia] reason, and would be valid
if there were nothing to set against it.
Against it, however, stand, —
1. The name of the people themselves, which is pro-
bably a South-German form of the well-known root,
V-nd, applied by the Germans in general to the Slavonians
in general.
2. The localities. In no part of the true and undoubted
Germanic area do we meet with any form of the root V-nd-l,
and no where do we find the mention of them as Germanic,
other than cursory and incidental. Neither Pliny nor Tacitus
gives us more than the name.
3. The different points of the Roman frontier, upon which
we meet with Vandals, are so distant, as make it likely that
the population, known by the name Vandal, was of great
extent ; whilst great extent on the part of a population is
prima, facie evidence of the name being general.
Hence, I believe that the Venedi of the Germans of the
Baltic, were the Vand-ali of the Germans of the Danube,
and vice versa.
Of these Slavonic populations, thus known under a Ger-
man name, the two most important were —
1. The Vandals of the Daco-Pannonian frontier, whose
scene of action was the Middle and Lower Danube, whose
political relations were with the Goths proper, and who first
became formidable to the Romans under their German name
during the Marcomannic war. The ethnological affinities of
these were more specially with the Lygii, and their present
representatives are the more southern branches of the Poles,
along with some of the more northern Slovaks.
2. Vandals of the south-western frontier. — Those, more
important than the others, were the Sorabians of Saxony,
Silesia, and the more eastern parts of Thuringia and Fran-
conia ; i.e., the Slavonians of the Upper Maine, the Upper
Elbe, and the Saale, their scene of action being in the first
XC THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
instance Gaul, subsequently Spain, finally Africa ; their poli-
tical relations being with the Suevi, Alemanni, Burgundians,
and the southern Franks. Their ancestors were some of the
Suevi of Tacitus, more especially the Semnones ; their de-
scendants the present Sorbs of Saxony and Silesia.
The statement of Idatius in Chronicon Roncallense is,
that the Vandals of Spain (Andal-usian Spain more particu-
larly) were Wandali Silingi. These are admitted by Zeuss
to have been the ScXtyyai of Ptolemy ; as well as to have
been the occupants of parts so near Silesia as Upper Lusatia
(p. 445).
Again, the pagus ^7-ensis is admitted to be a Latin form
of the Slavonic Zlas-ane and Sleens-ane, the older forms
of the present German Schles-ien, and English Sil-esia
(p. 663).
Yet the similarity between all these forms, and the
name ZlXtyy-at, (applied to the same locality) is not ad-
mitted.
Admitting it myself, I consider the Vandals of Andal-usia,
the Vandals of Genseric, and the Vandals of Gelimer to
have been no Germans, but Slavonian Serbs, chiefly from
Saxony, but in some cases from parts so far east as Si-
lesia, in which country, the Vandals of the south-western
frontier may have come in contact with those of the south-
eastern.
This shows that the separation between the two branches
of the Wandals must not be carried too far ; indeed, we
are at liberty to take Silesia as a central point, and look
upon the movements of the Vandals, whose alliance was with
the Goths, and the Vandals, whose alliance was with the
Alemanni, as blows against the majesty of Rome struck right
and left by the same people.
At any rate, the Germanic leaders of each belonged to one
and the same cognatio of sibsceaft ; the Vandal equivalent to
the J$a\t-ungs of the Visi-goths, and the Amal-ungs of the
Ostro-goths, being the Ast-ings, a name which we have in
two forms one Moeso-Gothic, and one Old High German.
In the Old High German the s or 2 of the Moeso-Gothic
becomes -r ; e.g., the comparative degree in r, which in
EPILEGOMENA. XC1
English is sweet-er and in Old High German snats-iro, was,
in Mceso-Gothic, sut-iza. So also the Old High German
plint-pav eVt avfifjua^lq
\r/ilreo~8ar [Jbrj TVfcovres Be avrwv, TrapetcareOevTO to? K\rjp,evri, &)? Kal ttjv twv Kocrrov-
§a>fCG)v yjsapav toIs 6irXot<; Kriqab^evoi' viKiqaavre^ Be e'/eet-
vou? Kal tt)V AaKtav ovBev tjttov eXvirovv. Aelo-avTes Be ol
AdyKpifyoL, p,rj ical 6 K\7]fir/<; cpo&rjdels, crcpas 69 tyjv yfjv*
XC11 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
r)v avrol kvcpKovv, ecraydyg, eireOevro avTOis fir) TrpoaBe^o-
ixevois /cal tto\v e/cpdrrjaav • (bare /JurjSev ere 7ro\e/juov tov<{
'Ao-Tiyyovs 7rpo9 tovs ^Vcajjualov^ irpa^ai, ttoWcl Be Sr) rov
Mdp/cov iKerevcravTas, ^p/jfiard re irap" avrov \aj3elv kcli
X^pav ye diraLrrjo-cu, dv ye rt kclkov tou? Tore 7ro\efiovvrd<;
ol SpdaGocn. Kal ovtoi fiev eirpagdv n &V vireo-xovro.
This, however, can be reconciled with previous passages, by
considering the Asting-as (or Gardingar) to have been a free
company, recruiting itself on Slavonic ground, so much so
as to form the Germanic nucleus to what was really a Vandal
(or Slavonic) force.
The Lacr-ings, mentioned also by Dion, may have been
similar adventurers.
Hence the names Genseric, &c, are the names of Astings
(or Gardings) ; and the German blood amongst the Vandals
was limited to the cognat'w or silsceaft of their German
leaders ; and the Vandals are German only so far as they
are Astings — which is only very partially.
§ XXXI. THE RUGII.
The pugnax Hugus is mentioned by Sidonius Apollinaris :
Barbados totas in te transfuderat arctos,
Gallia, pugnacem Rugum comitante Gelono ;
Gepida trux sequitur, Scirum Burgundio cogit :
Chuiius, Bellonotus, Neurus, Bastema, Toringus,
Bructerus, ulvosa quern vel Nicer abluit unda,
Prorumpit Francus. — Carm. vii. 320.
They first appear prominently in history about a.d. 475 ;
their area being the parts on each side of the Middle Danube ;
their chiefs Flaccitheus, Feletheus, Fava, and Frideric, the
last two of whom are deposed by Odoacer, the great central
point in the ethnology of the Eugii, and the three forthcoming
populations :* — " Quapropter rex OtacharBugis intulit bellum,
quibus etiam devictis, et Fridericho fugato, patre quoque Fava
capto, eum ad Italiam cum noxia conjuge supra memorata,
videlicet Gisa, transmigravit. Post audiens idem Odachar
* Heruli, Turcilineri, andSciri.
EPILEGOMENA. XC1U
Friderichum ad propria revertisse, statim fratrem suum raisit
cum multis exercitibns Aonnlfum, ante quem denuo fugiens
Friderichus, ad Theodoricum regem, qui tunc apud Novam
civitatem provincial Moesias morabatur, profectus est." — Eugipp.
c. 45. "AdunatisOdoachar gentibus, quae ejus ditioni parebant,
. . venit in Rugiland, pugnavitque cum Rugis, ultimaque
eos clade conficiens, Feletheum insuper eorum regem (qui et
Feva dictus est) extinxit. Vastataque omni provincia,
Italiam repetens, copiosam secum captivorum multitudinem
abduxit.'" — Paul. Diac. i. 19.
Naturally hostile to the usurper Odoacer, the Rugii join
Theodoric the Ostrogoth, and, in the reign of Justinian, we
hear of Rugii in Italy, distinct in many points from the Goths,
— 'AcplicovTO (viz., the Heruli) e ywpav, § Srj 'Poyol to
iraXatov coktjvto, o'l tco TotOwv crrparS) avap.i%6evT€<; e?
J lra\lav e^aprjcrav. — Proc. B. Goth. ii. 14. Ot Be 'Voyol
ovtol e6vo$ ixev elat TotOckov, avTovopbol re to iraXaibv
i§lcov. GevSepfyov 8e avrovs to kclt a/3%«9 irpocreTaiptaa-
puevov %vv aWois tlctIv Wveacv, e re to 761/0? aireKeicpiVTO
Kal %i)v avTOts e? tovs Tro\epbiovs airavTa eirpaao-ov.
Tvvai^l pbkvToi m? rjiciaTa eiripbL'yvvpbevoL aWoTplais, aicpai-
(pvicri rralBcov Bt,a8o%ai<; to tov edvovs ovopua iv afplacv
avTols Sieo-cticravTo.— Id. iii. 2.
Now the RugiA&nd of these Rugii was on the Danube.
What connects them with the Rugii of Tacitus ?
a. The similarity of name.
o. The account of Jornandes.
Jornandes. writes that the Goths expelled the Ulm-erugi : —
" Mox promoventes (scil. Gothi) ad sedes ZT/merugorum qui
tunc Oceani ripas insidebant, castra metati sunt, eosque com-
misso proelio propriis sedibus pepulerunt." The form Ulm-e-
rugi indicates a Gothic rather than a Latin, a homesprung
rather than an exotic legend. It is a compound of the
Scandinavian holm=holm=jlat land by a river, lake, or sea,
and is exactly the form Holmrygir of Snorro.
Whatever these Rugii were in respect to their ethnology,
the names of some of their chiefs (e.g., Frideric) were
German.
XC1V THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
They were also in geographical contact with the undoubt-
edly Germanic Ostrogoths, as well as with the Langobardi.
But then we have the expression, Turc-ilingus sive Rugius.
The ethnology of the Rugii, Heruli, Scirl, and Turdlingi is
best considered after all these have been treated in detail.
J XXXII. THE HERULI.
The first historical actions of a population named Heruli
are referred to the reign of Claudius.
But the authors who do this are not contemporary with the
events related.
This, however, is not important. Mamertinus, writing
about a.d. 289, is so. See extract in § Obii.
Zozimus connects them with the Peucini and Goths: —
'E/e twv 7rpo\a§ovacov eirapdevTes (soil. 2,Ku6at) e(p6&a)v,
'EpovXovs Kal Ylevfca? Kal YotOovs TrapaXaSovres Kal irepl tov
Tvpav iroTap,ov d0poia6evT€<;, . . eirkeov eVl to irpoaoi.
Syncellus makes Greece and Thrace their theatre of war :
— Tore Kal AtpovXoi irevT a koglcu? vavcrl Sid r>) MaiwrtSo?
\tfjbV7)$ eVt rbv Hovtov hiairXevo-avTe^, to Bv^dvTiov Kal
Xpvo-oTroXiv KaTe\a§ov . . . Kal et? ttjv Attiktjv (p0dcravT€$
eyuTrncpoio-i Ta? AOrjvas, Kopivdov Te Kal ^irdpTrjv Kal to
'Apyos Kal TrjV oXtjv Aya'tav KaTeSpa/xov . . totg NavXo&aTO?
6 tcov Alpov\a>v r]yovp,€vo<; TaXirfva) tu> fiao-tXel Sovs eavTOV
€kSotov, v7raTLKrj<> rj^Lcodrj ti/jltj? Trap" avTOv. — Chronograph.
p. 382, edit. Par.
Jornandes makes them become subjected to Hermanric: —
" Non passus est nisi et gentem Herulorum, quibus prseerat
Alaricus, magna ex parte trucidatam, reliquam suae subigeret
ditioni. Nam prsedicta gens (Ablavio historico referente)
juxta Maotidas paludes liabitans in locis stagnantibus, quas
Grasci hele vocant, Heruli nominati sunt : gens quanto wlox,
eo amplius superbissima. Sed quamvis velocitas eorum ab
aliis ssepe bellantibus eos tutaretur, Gothorum tamen stabili-
tati subjacuit et tarditati." — De Eeb. Get. xxiii.
The commentary upon Jornandes" etymology is the follow-
ing note in the Etymologia Magna:- — r 'E\ovpos. Evdela.
EPILEGOMENA. XCV
Airb twv efcel-
pwi ywpia, ol 8e Srj aWot "IcrrpGV irorafiby SiaSalveiv
ovSapbT] ejvmaav, aXA.' e? avra? irov rds e'er^arta? ttjs oIkov-
fievrjs ISpvaavro' ovtgs pav 8ia8dvT6<; iv6evSe 7ro\\r)v
6? tou9 Ovdpvov; KaXovjJLevovs iyrjdpiqo-av. Meff ovs Sr) teal
Aavoiv ra edvrj irapiSpafiov, ov /3ia£ojj,evQ)v v dirparov
irepCkeifyOev a\\o<; dWa^f) hiarplSetv ird^Orjaav- Uo\-
\ov<; he eirl rrjs BiOvvla 1 ? redea/xat 7rpb<; t&> KaXovfievoy
'OXu/i7Tft) bpeu, (jTTopdhiqv oitcovvras, ical tovs avroOi \6(pov$
Kal V7rwpeiaTe<; afi-
(porepoi 7rpoov<; tjXOov. Kal \a-irap puev rjyeiTO
/ucrjSerepoi'i avp^fia^elv, 6 8e avro/cpdrcop Aecov iSovXero
S/apot? iiracovpelv. Kal 8rj ypd/xpiora 77730? rbv iv 'IWvpiol*?
(rrpaTrjyov eTrefJurev, ivreWo/jbevos acpocriv Kara r(bv TotOcov
fiorjOeiav ttjv irpoarjKovaav irepbireiv. — Prisci Rhet. Fragm.
ed. Bonn. p. 160.
It is, then, not wholly improbable that the Sciri and
Turcilingi may have been Turks; the first, perhaps, of that
stock that penetrated far into Europe. The Sciri, after their
misfortunes having been reduced in power, became subject to
Gothic leaders, and, finally fixed, as a military colony, in
Styria (Steyer-mark, or the March of the Styri) .
The notion that Hirri = Sciri is confirmed by the form
Sfclppoi in Procopius, Bell. Goth. i. 1 : — IZtcLppovs Kal A\d-
vovs Kal aWa drra Yordifca iOvrj.
But how are we to account for the Sciri of Pliny, placed
by that writer so far north as Eningia, probably Fenningia =
the Finn country \ We may suppose him to have lain under
the same mistake with Tacitus in respect to the distance between
the parts about the Gulf of Riga and the Lower Danube, and
to have made it less than it really was. Hence, as Tacitus
(Germ. § xlvi.) brings the Peucini and Bastarnee too near the
Finni and Venedi, Pliny does the same with the Sciri.
It may be added that, amongst the members of the Hun
confederacy, no element, in words apparently compound, is
more common than the combination of r and a compound
sibilant (sh, zh, tsh, dzh) ; and (as a consequence of this) no
termination is more common amongst Hun nations than that
of -zuri, -sciri, &c.
That this compound sibilant is just the combination which
is rendered sometimes by sk, and sometimes by st, as is
suggested in not. ad v. Narisci.
Thus, amongst the names which no writer has ever made
* This is also an ham
tan name.
C THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
German, and but few have considered Slavonic, we have in
the different Hun, Alan, Avar, and Bulgarian alliances the
following —
1. Alpil-jswW, al. AfitX-tyvpou, &c.
2. AXcx-dzwi, al. XJlcini-Zures, OvXrl-^ovpot, &c.
3. Angi-sciri.
4. A/CaT-^LpOL.
If we add to these the word ending in -(jurii, the number
is increased — Sata-^tom, Ono-purii, &c.
$> XXXVI. THE ALANI.
It has been stated that the Alans were of the Turk stock ;
and as the Sciri have been placed in the same category with
them, the Sciri being a people that has sometimes been con-
sidered German, the investigation of their ethnology finds
place in the present work.
The two broad facts that bear upon this question are —
1. The area of the Alans is beyond that of either the
Germans or the Sarmatians. This was the parts due north
of Circassia, or the great irregular triangle formed by the
Lower Don, the Lower Volga, and Caucasus.
2. The present occupants of this area are the Nogay
Tartars of the Turk stock — occupants who cannot be shown
to be of recent introduction.
3. Lucian (Toxaris, 51) makes them Scythians — Tavra Se
e\eyev 6 Ma/cevrT]*?, o/Aoer/ceuo? koX ofioykcorros to?9 AXavois
&v Koiva jap ravra AXavois /cal ^Kv6aipei ttjv iroXiv, £vv rots oiroaoi aura) zeal
Trporepov eirrovTO. 'E7retoV/ irpoTepov ireOvrjKet, avrjp iv tols /idXccrra 8eivo<;
re teal (j)L\o7r6\epo<;, avrifca 6 7rai<; 6 licelvov 0euo7£a\So?
(tovto jap ovojjua tw TratSl) afia rots i7rop,6voL<; Ovdpvois
fiaaiXei tmv 'Pco/xaioov irpoae^fjopeL xal e? Apl/xyvov iraprjv,
a>? avrov T Napcry ivrev^opevos. — i. 24.
Now these Vami need, by no means, be the Varini of
Tacitus ; since Ptolemy mentions Avareni on the Vistula ;
so that they may as easily be the one as the other : —
Avaprjvol nrapd ttjv K6(paXi]v tov Oviarovka Trora/mov. f T(/>'
01)9, "Op&pwves. Etra, AvaprocppdiCTOL. Elra, Bovpylcove^.
Elra, Apcnrjrai. Elra, 2a§o/cot. Elra, Tlievytrai, ko\ Btecr-
aoL irapd rov KapTraTTjv 6po. Another reading is A§aptvoi^
a migration which would bring these Avapr/vot from the
Varini must have been immediately subsequent to the time
of Tacitus.
I believe, then, the Vami of the Danube to have been Ava-
reni ; and of the Avareni being new immigrants, there is no
proof, and a presumption against it.
At any rate, the probability of a migration is decreased by
the decrease of the time allowed for it.
CV1 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
The best evidence of their being Germans is that of the
names of their leaders ; but such evidence would make the
Spaniards who fought under Wellington, Englishmen.
But what if we find Varni on the Rhine, a comparatively
northern locality \ The most that follows from this is a
doubt as to which of the two nearly synonymous populations
they were — Avareni of the Vistula, or Varini of the Lower
Elbe.
What if we find them in connection with the Angli f This
helps us in the decision, and inclines us to prefer the Varini ;
but it by no means proves connection.
But what if they be Angles in Thuringia ? This, again,
only makes us pause in deciding which Angles are meant.
It never touches the connection.
What if we find them in contact with the Danes I This
denotes that the particular V-r-n- thus described were Varini.
But what if Dani=Daci?* This throws us back on the
Avareni.
Nothing, however, touches the connection. It is only the
details that are complicated : details which are just as diffi-
cult, whether we suppose a migration or not.
All this really happens, as may be seen by comparing the
following extract with the Epilegomena, §§ xli. and xlii. : —
Ovapvot /jbev virep "larpov iroTa^bv tSpwrat, Sttf/covcri Be
ayjpi re 65 'Qiceavbv tov dpicTwov ical irorafibv 'Prjvov, ocnrep
avTOvs re Btopt^et zeal <$>pdpdap6-
Setvoc (see not. in § xl.) is still less a matter of indifference. By
identifying them we ascertain the direction, if not the exact
locality, of the Suardones. This is ivestwards between the
Suebus and the Chalusus (Oder f and Trave ?). But then we
get a complication ; since Suard- is generally considered to
be a German root, whereas the locality is Slavonian.
That S-rd is really a German root is rendered probable by
the form Sweord-were in the Traveller's Song. But this only
makes it a German gloss. That it applied to a German
population by no means follows. No word is more German
than Welsh, few populations less so.
5. In the name Reudingi, the Reud- may, possibly, be the
lire's-, in Ilre&-Got&n$. Now the Hret-Gotan were Lithu-
anians.
6. On the Nuithones I can throw no light at all, — not even
in the way of guess-work and suggestion.
If we leave Tacitus and betake ourselves to Ptolemy, we
gain a little. In Ptolemy we not only get the names of
certain populations, but we get their locality (or at least
their direction) also. But they are almost all new, and other-
wise unknown, Sigulones, Sabilingii, Chali.
Upon the whole, I think that the Angli of Tacitus were the
only representatives, enumerated by him, of the Anglo-Saxon
branch of the Saxons, — unless the Nuithones be a second.
Of the others, I think that : —
a. Where their direction was easterly, they were Sla-
vonians.
b. Where it was northerly, Frisians, or Slavonians, —
Frisians in the noxth-west, Slavonians in the north-east.
CXX11 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Who, however, lay to the east, and who to the north, is a
difficult question ; and still more difficult is it to say who
amongst the northern group, were on the east, and who on
the west.
The Sigulones of Ptolemy are the most decidedly north-
western, or Frisian ; the Varini of Tacitus, the most decidedly
eastern, or Slavonic. And this is as much as it is safe to say.
It is more important to consider the reasons for believing
the populations to the north-west of the Angli to have been
Frisian, rather than Angle, Saxon, or Anglo-Saxon. Why,
in the face of the fact of the Nordalbingians (or the popula-
tions north of the Elbe) being called Saxons,* in the ninth
century, suppose them to have been Frisians in the second ?
The answer to this is sketched in the preceding §.
If Angle populations were the earliest occupants of western
Holstein, when and how did the Frisians displace them I
If Frisians were the earliest, when did the Angles do so ?
Now it must be admitted that there is some evidence in
favour of this latter alternative; but evidence which is by no
means conclusive.
Alfred writes (Orosius, p. 25), respecting Other, that
"He seglode to psein porte pe man hset HarSum. Se stent
betwuh Winedum and Seaxum and Angle and hyrS in on
Dene. ..and pa tvegeu dagas sev he to Hse^um come, him
wees on pset steorbord Gotland and Sillende and iglanda fela,
on \am landum eardodon Engle ; LKOfievoi ivavrtXkovTO.
CXXV1 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Jornandes, also, states that, 4i Dani, ex ipsorum (viz., Scand-
zise cultorum) stirpe progressi, Herulos propriis sedibus expu-
lerunt, 11 — reversing the order of the expulsion.
Be this, however, as it may, we have the evidence of two
writers as to the geographical and political contact between
the Banes and Ileridi, and this, if taken without criticism, is a
reason in favour of a long Herulian migration from north to
south.
But it is not conclusive. If the Dani were called Daci,
the Daci may be called Dani, and, as it is much more certain
that the Heruli came in contact with the Dacians of the
Danube, than with the Danes of the Baltic, a reasonable ob-
jection lies against the evidence of Procopius and Jornandes.
I do not say that it is conclusive. I only show that, whenever
we have a lengthy migration, we have the elements of a
reasonable doubt to set against it.
Even if we lay but little stress on this, we have the fact
that neither Jornandes nor Procopius are satisfactory wit-
nesses to events so distant in both place and time.
They, probably, speculated and inferred : seeing that on
the Danube there were two populations with names so like as
Daci and Getce, and on the Baltic two others with names so
like as Dani and Goihi, Geatas or Gautas.
But how came the similar names to run in pairs 2 Danes
alone on the Baltic, and Daci alone on the Danube, would be
nothing very remarkable. Nor yet would Getce on the Danube,
and Geatas on the Baltic. But Getce. side by side with Daci
in the south, and Dani (called also Daci) side by side with
Geatas in the north, supply a mystery.
This is a repetition of the difficulties of §§ on the Angli
and Werini of Thuringia, and it is a difficulty of the gravest
character that meets us too often elsewhere.
Accident is out of the question ; and I admit that a migra-
tion, within a certain degree of probability, is the best solution
of similar problems. But it must be probable ; and it must
stand on the phenomena which it will explain almost exclu-
sively. Such a migration receives but little confirmation from
any so-called traditions ; because the very ease with which it
explains the phenomena, engenders the disposition to assume
EPILEGOMENA. CXXVll
one. Hence I put the accounts of Jornandes low ; because
they are just the accounts which the existing state of things
would call for — -just as, I imagine, that the similar relations of
the Isle of Wight population, the Angles, and the Saxons, did
with Beda. Yet I put what may be called the pluri-presence
of a population called D-n (or D-c), in geographical contact
with a population called G-t, high ; and admit it to be the
best reason existing in favour of the deduction of the Daci
and Geta. from the Baltic.
Yet it is not conclusive. Names may be what is con-
veniently called correlative. Thus : —
a. Let D-n = coastman, and G-t, a man of the interior
country (or vice versa) ; or —
h. Let D-n = mountaineer , and G~t = lowlander (or vice
versa) ; or —
c. Let D-n = native, and G-t ■= foreigner (or vice versa).
Cases of this sort may easily be multiplied. Any one of
them, however, shows that, wherever certain physical or
social conditions involving the correlation in question occurs,
corresponding names may occur also, — and that, independent
of any descent or migration.
I do not say that this was the case in the present instance;
having no tittle of evidence to support its application to the
case before us. I only say that such an hypothesis is good
against the assumption of any equally gratuitous migration.
§ LI. THE HARUDES.
This is complementary to the note in v. Clierusci.
Csesar mentions the Harudes, as forming a part of the
army of Ariovistus ; and he is the first author who mentions
them at all, — but says nothing about the Clierusci.
Tacitus mentions the Clierusci, but not the Harudes.
The Marmor Ancyranum has the form Charudes.
The change from Ch- to H- (and vice versa) has often been
mentioned already, — Cliatti = Hesse, Chattuarii — Hazzoarii.
Form for form, I think Harud- is the root of the word
Cher-usvi.
CXXV111 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
If so, Ghev-usci is an adjective, and tlie -sc- is the -sc in
Brittisc, the -sk- in D&n-ske, and the -ish in self-ish.
If so, the population to whom it applied, must have called
themselves by an adjectival appellation ; and this is no more
than the present Danes and Swedes do, — Dan-ske, Sven-ske.
If so, the -d- is omitted; and this is no more than what
occurs in the form Nor-ske, from Nor-o?-ske, — the fuller form
being Harudske, or Cherudske.
In Beowulf and the Traveller's Song, we find mention
of a town with a palace in it, called Heorot.
Near this Heorot, the Heof&o-bardas were defeated ; a
population at no great distance from the Angles — probably
either the Bards of Bardonw'ic, or the hangobards of Tacitus.
Except that the Hartz is a mountain-range rather than a
town, Heorot = Hartz, of which it is the Low German form.
I also think it was the country of the Harudes. Also, of
the Proper Cherusci, — though, I admit, that it carries them
as far east as it is safe to do.
Hence, I consider that the Harudes were the Cherusci
in the most limited sense of the term, and the Old Saxons
the Cherusci in the widest ; the one name being that by
which they were known to their western, the other that by
which they were known to their eastern neighbours ; and,
although their political extinction is doubtful, their diminished
importance (noticed by Tacitus) may have favoured the sub-
stitution of one name for another.
The following lines justify us in placing the Cherusci so far
eastward as has been done :
Venit accola silvse
Bructerus Hercynise, latisque paludibus exit
Cimber et ingentes Albim liquere Cherusci.
Accipit ille preces varias, tardeque rogatus
Annuit et magno pacem pro munere donat.
Claud. De iv. Cons. Honor. 450.
The Cherusci were part of the Eastphalians (Ostphali) of
not. in v. Angrivarii.
But Ptolemy places the Harudes in the Cimbric Cher-
sonese, and so (perhaps) does Beowulf. This is a grave
objection to the previous doctrine.
EPILEGOMENA. CXX1X
On the other hand, the notion that the Harudes of the
army of Ariovistus came from Jutland is beset with diffi-
culties.
§ LII. THE SEDUSII.
I can only say that these are mentioned by Csesar as parts
of the forces of Ariovistus.
§ LIU. THE COBANDI, PHUNDUSII, SIGULONES, SABALINGII, AND
CHALI.
These are the tribes which Ptolemy places in the Cimbric
Chersonese. They are now noticed in somewhat fuller detail
than before.
The Cobandi. — The doctrine that Ko§av$ol may have been
sounded Covandi, and that the -d- may be non-radical, by
which means we get at their identity with the Chavion-es =
Avion-es is not illegitimate. Beyond this, there is no light
thrown upon the Cobandi. See Epilegomena, §§ Angli and
Aviones.
The Phundusii. — The ejection of the Ph and n, brings this
near to the name of the Eudoses in Tacitus. Beyond this,
there is no light thrown on the Phundusii. — See Epilegomena,
§ Angli.
On the Sigulones, Sabalingii, and Chali, there is neither
light nor speculation beyond what has been suggested. — See
Epilegomena, § Angli.
Ptolemy's details for the so-called Cimbric Chersonese,
are fuller than those of any other writer.
This may be a reason for their singularity.
Another may lie in the fact of his information being re-
ferable to a Slavonic or Keltic source rather than a German.
§ LIV. THE PHARODINI.
The Pharodini are placed by Ptolemy between the rivers
Chalusus (Trave?) and Suebus {Oder?).
Zeuss suggests that the true form of the name is 2cf>apa-
Seivol.
CXXX THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
In which case, he considers that Pharodini = Suardon-es
(2cf)apo$eiv-OL, ~2(f)dpSa)v-e<;).
If so, we have a locality for the latter.
If not, we have two populations known by their name
only. — See Epilegomena, § Angli, and not. in v. Suardones.
§ LV. THE PHIR/ESI (<£>ipaiCTOl).
These are placed by Ptolemy in Scandinavia.
I think it is only a slightly modified form of the word
Frisii.
No objections lie against this from their situation being so
far north.
That the Frisii of Jutland are no new intruders has been
shown. — See not. in v. Frisii.
How far traces of them occur in the north of Jutland has
not been shown. It was a point reserved.
As far north as the Liimfjord, we find a Skjerr-wm-bro.
This gives us a hypothesis for the diffusion of the Gothic
population in Scandinavia, where these were early intruders.
The original population of all Scandinavia was, probably,
Finn.
Next to these came Lithuanian G-t, who settled on the
coast sufficiently to give their names to —
a . Goth-land. —
ft. B 7 *7A-esland = Sealand, Mon, Falster, and Fyen —
y. Jut-land — their direction being westerly.
On the principle of not multiplying causes unnecessarily,
they are not to be carried too far inland.
From the Frisians of Jutland came the QipcucroL of Ptole-
my, probably, between the northern part of the Ohristiania
Fiord and the Miosen.
From this point the Finns were displaced by movements
east and west ; and the Lithuanians by movements south-
wards.
This I infer from one of the northern districts of Sweden
being named Suder-manma ; those parts being at one time
the southern boundary of the conquerors from the north. The
EPILEGOMENA. CXXX1
most northern province of Scotland is called Suther-land,
from the same relation to Norway.
It was, probably, amongst the <£>ipaiaoi, of Ptolemy that
the Norse tongue as opposed to the Frisian was developed.
What time was required for this \ It is difficult to say.
Not, necessarily, a very long one.
One of the great distinctive grammatical characters of the
Norse is the so-called passive voice. We know that this has
been evolved nearly within the literary period of Scandinavia.
The other is the />o^-positive article, Now this exists in
Wallachian ; though it did not in Latin, i.e., Lat. itte homo =
Wall, \\om-ul. The reign of Trajan, therefore, is early enough
for the one form. Such being the case, no longer period is
needed for the second.
The time, however, may have been much longer — but I
only indicate a minimum.
Again — there may have been other Frisians than the
Qcpatcroi of Ptolemy : but I only take what I find.
Throughout this argument we must remember —
That Goth, as a German name for the Swedes of Gothland,
is a restricted and particular one — so specific as to account
for the name Gothland only ; whereas —
Goth, as a Lithuanic term, is wide and general, and
accounts for the names Gothland and Jutland as well.
§ LVI. THE DANDUTI, NERTEREANES, CURIONES, INTUERGI,
VARGIONES, AND LANDI.
What follows is the brief notice of some of those names in
Strabo, Pliny, and Ptolemy, which may reasonably be applied
to populations within the German area, but which have not
been mentioned by other writers sufficiently to give them
much historical or geographical prominence. They are,
probably, the names in detail of the divisions and subdivisions
of some higher groups already noticed.*
1, 2. The Banditti and Nertereanes are mentioned by
* These are the names printed in italics in the texts of Strabo, Pliny,
and Ptolemy.
y 2
CXXXll THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Ptolemy.- They seem to have been south-eastern Hessians,
northern Franconians, or western Thuringians; or, perhaps,
populations distributed between any two or all three of those
divisions — Chatti, Burgundians, or Thuringians, politically ;
High Germans, or Goths, ethnologically.
3. The Curiones, too, seem to have been on the frontier of
Franconia and Thuringia ; their ethnological and political
conditions being those of the Nertereanes and Danduti,
except that they were less Hessian. Possibly they may have
been Slavonians, i.e., of the Upper Maine and Regnitz.
4, 5. From Ptolemy's notice, the Intuergi and Vargiones
were north-east of Wisbaden {Vispi) ; perhaps on the Upper
Lahn. If so they may have been on the confines of the
Platt-Deutsch and High German divisions — perhaps divided
between the two.
6. Of the Landi, mentioned by Strabo, it can only be said
that they were Germans of the great Arminian confederacy.
§ LVII. THE BATTI AND SUBATTII.
Mentioned by Strabo.
Admitting the Hessian (Chattian) origin of the Bat-avi,
the Batti may have been the Hessians {Chatti), from whom
it originated ; and the Su-batti {^ov-^drTioi) South-Batti,
even as Svs-sex = South-Saxon.
If so, the name is Low German ; and the Hessian form
would be Bessi.
This is verified (and the suggestion is Grimm's) by the
following popular distich : —
Dissen, Deute, Haldorf, Ritte, Bune, Besse,
Das sind der Hessen dorfer alle sesse ;
i.e.,
Dissen, Deute, Haldorf, Ritte, Bune, Besse,
They are the Hessian thorpes, all six.
§ LVIII. THE STTJRII, MARSACI, AND FRISIABONES.
Names, in detail, of Frisian populations ; enumerated by
EPILEGOMENA. CXXxiii
Pliny. Their locality is now under water ; being, probably,
the bottom of the Zuyder-Zee.
1. Sturii, seems a true proper name.
2. Marsaci, is, probably, a derivative from the root Marsh
= Marsh-men.
3. The Frisia-bon-es, I think, is Vriesen-veen (Frisian
Fen), a real name in more than one Frisian locality at the
present moment.
As the result of a piece of guess-work, I believe that the
-v-m, in the unsatisfactory terms Ist-se-ww-esand Ing-dd-von-es,
is simply men =fen ; and the division is much more local
than commentators imagine. Hence —
1. The Herminones meant the people of the Upper Ems,
and water-shed between that river and the Weser.
2. The Ingsevones, the Fen-people in front of it, and —
3. The Isteevones, the people of a Kesteven, whatever
the import of that name may have been.
If so, the informants of the Romans, who first circulated
the terms, were in a predicament diiferent only in degree
from that of a writer about England, who at Grimsby or
Boston, had heard that the whole county was divided into
Lindsey, Holland, and Keste-ven, and applied his information
to the British empire at
§ LIX. THE PARM^ECAMPI, AND ADBAB^CAMPI.
Name, compound.
Locality, the valleys of the Naab and Regen,
Power of the root, c-mp, uncertain. See not. in v.
Chamavi.
But, in origin, probably, German.
To what languages, the first elements (Parm- and Adrab-)
are referable, is uncertain ; the displacements here having
been great.
a. It may have been some Slavonic dialect, the population
being a western continuation of the Saxon and Bohemian
Slaves.
b. It may have been Boian {i.e., Gallic or Keltic).
See nn. in vv. Boiemum and Narisci.
CXXXiv THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
§ LX. TERACATRIiE AND RACATJE.
Compounds of the root rac-.
The -t is, perhaps, a Gallic sign of the plural. — See not. in
v. Usipii.
To what language the root Bac- or (supposing the -at to
be radical) Bacat is referable, is doubtful.
It is, most likely, not German.
Without building anything upon the conjecture, I think
that one and the same root B-tsh, sometimes taking the
form of B/iat-, sometimes of Bug-, sometimes of Bak-, and
sometimes of Bacz-, lies at the bottom of the following-
names.
a. The province Bhat-ia,
b. The Bug-'n of Bug-i-land,
c. The YaK-arat, and Te-paic-ar-plai,
d. The Baczy of Servia, at the present moment.
§ LXI. THE CARINI.
Mentioned by Tacitus as part of the Vindili. If so,
Slavonic rather than German.
§ LXII. THE VISPI.
The names which now follow, are equivocal, i.e., although
different from those of any populations hitherto mentioned,
they are, still, sufficiently like to pass as repetitions of
certain names previously considered, whilst they are suffi-
ciently different to be reasonably considered as separate sub-
stantive denominations.
The Vispi are the Ovtcnrol of Ptolemy ; who places them
as far south as the frontier of the Helvetian Desert.
Probably, their name still exists in the Wis- of Wis-ha^en,
in the country of the Mattiaci, as more than one commenta-
tor reasonably suggests. If so, their locality is fixed.
But then, their name is suspiciously like that of the
EPILEGOMENA. CXXXV
Usipetes, or Usipii ; a population which, unless Ptolemy
mention it under the name Vispi, he does not mention at all.
But Wis-baden is not too far south for the most southern
Usip-ii. Perhaps not. We must remember, however, that
they reach as far north as Holland, i.e., the country of the
Tu-bantes (Twenthe). — Epilegomena, § i.
§ I.XIII. THE Noi'C7i7r6?.
The Nouo-t7re? (Novo-cttol) of Strabo ; known only as we
know the Landi, i.e., as members of the great Arminian con-
federacy, or, at least, as Germans, led in triumph for the
victory that avenged it.
Probably, Usipii, under another form ; especially as the
Usipii (as such) are not mentioned by Strabo.
§ lxiv. the XavGot, Kaov\/coi, Ka6v\/coi, Ka/jL-^navol,
1 . Against considering the X.av§oi as the Aviones of Tacitus,
there are no great reasons. Neither are difficulties created,
by making it the name of a separate substantive population.
2, 3. The other names are more problematical.
Thus —
Besides the KadvXicoi and Kclov\koi, Strabo mentions the
Ghauci, distinguishing between them and the latter. Still the
names are alike, — the more so when we find Chaucus made
trisyllabic : —
non indignante Chailco
Pascat Belga pecus. — Claudian. De Laud. Stilich.
Then there are the Chabilci of Gaul. — See not. in Germania
omnis.
4, 5. Kafityiavol and 'Afi-^ravol are names suspiciously
alike. Yet they both occur in the same writer — Strabo.
a. Are both, or either, Ampsi-mm ?
b. Are both, or either, the people of the parts about
Kampten in Over-ijseH
c. Is one one, and the other the other 2
THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
§ lxv. the Aay/cocrapyoi.
Such is the current reading in Strabo, who makes no men-
tion of the hango-bardi.
See note in v. h&ngo-bardi.
The word is compound, and why should there not have
been three separate substantive nations with names com-
pounded of —
1. The root b-rd + a, prefix.
2. The root l-ng + an affix, — viz. : —
1. Lang-o-bardi, or the men with either long beards or long
halberts —
2. Lacco-bardi, or the men with beards (or halberts) en-
dowed with some quality expressed by l-cc —
3. Lango-sargi, or the men whose sarks (whatever they
were) were long f
All such forms exist ; certainly in good authors, possibly
in good MSS.
Then there are, —
4. The Ileapo-bavds of the Traveller's Song, and, —
5. The Bards of the Slavonic Bardon-wic.
I have no decided opinion here. It is my impression,
however (and I imagine that the common sense view of
the question coincides with it), that the Langobardi, Lacco-
bardi, and Langosargi are one and the same population.
The truth is, that geographical texts require a very peculiar
kind of criticism.
a. We cannot prefer one reading to another, because it will
give us certain results ; since that (in many cases) is arguing
in a circle, i.e., inferring the reading from the result, and the
result from the reading.
b. We cannot, as in other cases, argue from the context ;
since the question is one of letters rather than of words ;
and a proper name, in many cases, can as little be col-
lected from the words which accompany it as the unmean-
ing combinations which form a chorus can from the words
of a song.
The chief preliminaries to this criticism are clear notions
EPILEGOMENA. CXXXvii
as to the language of the author, the language of his infor-
mants, and the language of the copyists of the MSS., espe-
cially in respect to their phonetic systems.
Now, it is not stating too much to say that all this con-
stitutes a wholly new and undeveloped line of criticism.
That different authors should differ in the forms they give
the different new and strange names which they meet with in
the geography of imperfectly known countries is natural ; but
that one and the same author should vary is strange. Yet
such has been the case with both Strabo and Ptolemy, and
that to a considerable extent.
§ lxvi. the Tejfcepot, 'lyplcoves, Kaptrvol, and Tovpcovoi.
1, 2. How far are the first two Tencteri and Angrivarii?
The localities are not exactly the same, nor yet the names,
though like.
This answer is, probably, in the affirmative.
3. The Caritni, on the other hand, can scarcely be the
Carini of Pliny, since the Caritni are east of the Middle
Rhine, the Carini Vindili.
4. The Tovpwvoi are almost certainly TVmr-ingians, of
the Teur-io-hemum (Tevpio^aipbat) of Ptolemy.
§
LXVII. ON THE RELATIONS OP THE GETM TO INDIA.
The notice of the comparative uniformity of the Russian
dialects, although apparently a point of Slavonic, rather than
German, ethnology, was shown* to have an important bear-
ing upon the text of even the Germania of Tacitus. And
this is the case with several other questions, which, at first
view, seem wholly remote from the subjects under present
consideration. Nothing, however, in ethnology is isolate and
unconnected ; and few points of the earth's surface are so
distant as not, when certain problems are under notice, to be
brought to bear upon each other.
Now the case which was made out in the § on the Goths,
* See Prolegomena, § vi.
CXXXV111 THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
for bringing the great Lithuanian family as far south as the
parts about Gallicia, on one side, and the Lower Danube, or
country of the Getce, on the other, was incomplete ; since
there was another series of facts which, difficult and mys-
terious as they are under any point of view, are still ren-
dered somewhat clearer by every fact which extends the
Lithuanic area, either southioards or eastwards.
Whatever brings Lithuania nearer to India, diminishes
certain philological and ethnological difficulties.
What these are, is now widely known. They are all
referable to the single great fact of the grammatical and
glossarial affinities of the ancient literary language of India
and Persia (the Sanskrit and its allied forms), being with the
Greek and Latin, with the Gothic, with the Slavonic, and,
pre-eminently, with the Lithuanic tongues of Europe.
No table, equally short, shows this better than the follow-
ing one of Dr. Trithens, from the Transactions of the
Philological Society, No. 94.
ENGLISH.
LITHUANIC.
RUSSIAN.
SANSKRIT.
Mother .
. mc-tina
.. mat'
.. matr.
Brother .
.. brolis
. . brat
... bhratr.
Sister ....
.. sessu
.. sestra ,
... svasr.
Duughter-
in-law .
,. —
snokha
... snusha.*
Father-in-
law
,. —
svekort
.. s'vasura.
Mother-in
-law
,. —
svekrov' % .
.. s'vas ru.
Brother-in-law ...
,. —
dever' § ...,
... devr.
One
.. wienas
.. odin
.. eka.
Two
. du
.. dva
.. dva.
, . trys
. keturi
.. tri
.. tri.
Four ....
.. chetuire ....
.. chatvarah.
Five
. penki
.. piat' ,
,.. pancha.
Six
. szessi
.. sliest'
.. shash.
Seven
. septyni
.. sedm'
.. saptan.
Eight ....
. asstu°ni ....
. dewyni
.. osm'
.. deviat' ,
Nine
... navan.
Ten
. dessimtis....
.. desiat'
.. dasa'.
The following similarities go the same way, viz., towards
* Latin nurus, from snurus. f Latin socer, Greek empos.
% Latin socrus, Greek eicvpa. § Latin levir (devir), Greek darjp.
EPILEGOMENA.
CXXX1X
the proof of a remarkable affinity with certain languages of
Europe, there being none equally strong with any existing
and undoubted Asiatic ones.
ENGLISH.
I
Thou ...
Ye
The*...
LITHUANIC.
tU .
yus.
tas
szi .
SANSKRIT. ZEND.
aham azem.
twain turn.
yuyam yus.
ta-d tad.
sah ho.
LITHUANIC.
Laups-inni = I praise.
Present.
1. Laups -innu -innawa -inname.
2. — -inni -innata -innata.
3. — -inna -inna -inna.
SANSKRIT.
Jaj-ami = I conquer.
Present.
1.
Jaj
-ami -avah
-amah.
2.
—
-asi -athah
-atha.
3.
-ati -atah
LITHUANIC.
Esmi = I am.
-anti.
1.
Esmi eswa
esme.
2.
Essi esta
esti.
3.
Esti esti
esti.
SANSKRIT.
Asmi = I am.
1. Asmi swah smah.
2. Asi sthah stha.
3. Asti stah santi.
In explanation of this, the voice of comparative philologists,
ethnologists, and special scholars, is all one way. It is unani-
mous in the decided expression of the doctrine that the
tongues of Europe allied to the Sanskrit came from the East ;
and I doubt whether any man living has ever recognised the
opposite alternative, viz., that of the Sanskrit and its allied
* Or that, this.
CX] THE GERMANY OF TACITUS-
languages coming from Europe. Of course, there are reasons
for this one-sideduess, and, amongst these, the reasonable
doctrine that the human species originated in Asia, the
somewhat crude notion that migrations move from east to
west, rather than from west to east, as if in obedience to some
ethnological law, and the unwillingness to believe that the
primary migrations by which the population of the earth's
surface spread from some single point over the four quarters
of the world, lie far beyond any existing means of investiga-
tion, are the chief.
Nevertheless, if we clear our minds of all this, the presump-
tions arc the other way.
When two allied populations, covering areas of different
magnitudes, are separated from each other, and we account
for the separation by assuming a migration, the presumption
is that the occupants of the smaller area are derived from that
of the larger, rather than vice versa.
When an ethnological class falls into a certain number of
divisions, the portion of its area, where the divisions are the
most numerous and the most definite, must be considered as
the oldest.
Such are the presumptions — presumptions which we get at
by attending to the first principles of reasoning — presumptions
which our common-sense supplies us with. No one, I ima-
gine, will deny their general validity, however much he may
consider that, in certain individual cases, they give us a wrong
result.
Thus, taken by itself, the presumption that arises from the
vast extent over which the English language is spoken in
America, as compared with the limited area of the British
Isles, is in favour of the American being the mother-tongue,
which is known to be contrary to fact.
But the mere question of a magnitude of area need not be
taken by itself. It is corrected by the presumption arising
out of the second observation. In America, the English
language stands either alone or nearly so. In England it has
its congeners around it, — Frisian, Dutch, Platt-Deutsch,
High German, and Norse ; and this shows that Europe is
the older home of the Englishman.
EPILEGOMENA. cxli
Such is the case where the two presumptions differ — one
complicating the other. Yet even then the case is clear.
When they coincide, it is clearer still. Thus, when we
have a comparatively homogeneous language confined to the
smaller of two areas on one side, and on the other a multipli-
city of divisions and subdivisions spread over the larger, the
presumption that the occupants of the former are derived from
those of the latter, is indefinitely raised.
To apply these rules to the present case —
Northern India, Persia, Armenia, and a small portion of
Caucasus, form the maximum of area that can be given to the
so-called Indo-European languages of Asia.
England, Germany, Holland, two thirds of Scandinavia,
Russia, Poland, and all southern Europe, with the exception
of Rumelia, Albania, and Biscay, form the minimum of area
for the so-called Indo-European languages of Europe.
Now the least that is allowed to the tongues of Europe is
more than the most that can be given to those of Asia. The
excess may be but small ; still, pro tanto, it shows which way
the presumption is.
Again — the greatest amount of division that can be got out
of the Asiatic class of Indo-European tongues is the Ossetic,
Armenian, and Indo-Persian tongues ; the latter meaning the
Sanskrit and the ancient languages allied to it, with their
real or supposed derivatives — the modern tongues of Persia
and northern India.
The least amount of division amongst the European tongues
is equal to this ; for I submit that the differences between the
Latin (with its derivatives) and the Greek, the Slavonic, the
Lithuanic, and the several branches of the Gothic stock, are
fully equal in value and variety to those that any principle of
classification can get from the tongues of Indo-European Asia.
But more must be added. Rightly or wrongly, there is an
opinion that the modern languages of northern India are not
Indo-European ; and —
Rightly or wrongly, there is an opinion that the Armenian
is not Indo-European —
Yet no one, who admits the term at all, has ever taken
exceptions to any of the Indo-European tongues of Europe.
Cxlii THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
So that to derive the German, Slavonic, Lithuanic,
Greek and Latin from India, is to derive the greater from the
less, the multiform from the simple, the admitted from the
doubtful. It is to deduce the stock from the offshoot, to
move the earth with a lever in the clouds.*
All such connections as that between the Sanskrit and
* I must be allowed to remind the reader that from a desire to deal with
the question as a question of logic only, and with the wish to understate,
rather than overstate, my case, I argue entirely ex abundant!.
Thus—
a. I allow the Vedas to he four thousand years old — without believing
anything of the kind.
b. 1 allow the Hindu, Bengali, Urdu, Gujerati, Mahratta, and modern
Persian tongues, to be as truly Sauskritic in origin as the English is Anglo-
Saxon — without believing it.
c. I allow the Armenian to be Indo-European.
d. Also the Ossetic. The only facts respecting these last three points
which I argue from, is the existence of doubts — not the validity of them.
e. I lay no stress on the statement that the third language of the cunei-
form inscription is other than Indo-European.
f. I carry the traces of a Tamulian tongue, anterior to the Hindu, no
further south than the parts about Bombay —
g. And the traces of monosyllabic tongues, similarly anterior to the
Sanskrit, no further south than the Lower Ganges.
h. I allow the Siaposh to be as Sanskritic as the most extreme defenders
of its Sanskritic origin make it, and I place the Lughmani, and other
dialects, as well as the Pustu of Afghanistan, in the same category.
i. I lay no stress on the Tamulian character of the Brahui, the numerals
of which were admitted by Lassen to be those of Southern India.
On the other hand —
As I take exceptions to the Indo-European character of the Keltic
tongues, and although I am, perhaps, the only philologist who does, I take
no advantage of the current opinion, by which the contrast between the
diiferences between the so-called Indo-European tongues of Europe and the
comparative homogeneousness of those of Asia would be heightened.
I wish to reduce the question to its logical form which is, that tvhere we
have two branches of the same division of speech separated from each other, one
of which is the larger in area and the more diversified by varieties, and the other
smaller and comparatively homogeneous, the presumption is in favour of the
latter being derived from the former, rather than the former from the latter.
To deduce the Indo-Europeans of Europe from the Indo-Europeans of Asia,
in ethnology, is like deriving the reptiles of Great Britain from those of
Ireland in erpetology.
EPILEGOMENA. cxliii
Lithuanic must be explained by either a migration, or an
original continuity of area.
The presumptions have been determined. Let us now
choose between these alternatives.
The Indo-European population may have been continued
from Asia into Europe (or vice versa) by two lines —
1. One to the north —
2. One to the south of the Caspian Sea.
The difficulties, each way, are the same in amount, though
different in kind.
1. On the north we have the vast tracts of Independent
Tartary, the water-systems of the Lower Jaik and Volga,
in which the Indo-European population which, by assump-
tion, was continuous from the Oxus to the Dnieper, has
wholly disappeared. Now the more we go back the wider
this interval becomes ; since, the Russians, at the beginning
of the historical period were further from India than they are
now. The supposed displacement, then, in this quarter must
have been enormous. The further objections that arise out of
the distribution of the existing Turk and Ugrian families of
the area in question (a distribution which makes it almost
impossible for an Indo-European population ever to have
been on the north of the Caspian), are too numerous for a
work like the present.
2. A prolongation of the Indo-European area in the
direction of Asia, and to the south of the Caspian, is, at the
first view, practicable enough. And here the remark that
whatever brings Lithuania nearer to India diminishes diffi-
culties, has its bearing. Let the Getse be Lithuanians, the
Thracians may be Lithuanic also, since more than one good
authority of antiquity identifies the two. Then the Bithy-
nians were Thracians — which brings the European Lithuanic
half-way, or more, to meet the Indo-European dialects of
Western Persia. Be it so. The Armenian language is a
stumbling-block. It ought, from its geography, to be inter-
mediate to the Sanskrit and Lithuanic — whereas, that it
is Indo-European at all is more than many good judges
allow it to be. At any rate, it is not what it ought to be
for the hypothesis — transitional in character.
cxliv THE GERMANY OF TACITUS.
Such the difficulties attending- the doctrine of an original
continuity of area and subsequent displacement.
The other alternative, or that of simple migration, requires
three facts to be borne in mind —
a. That it is no further from the Dardanelles to the Indus
than from the Indus to the Dardanelles.
I. That the real conquests of Alexander (especially that
which led to the establishment of the Greek kingdom of
Bactria) differed from such a European conquest as is neces-
sary to account for all the phenomena of the Sanskrit and
allied languages in date, magnitude, and duration only — i.e.,
in degree though not in kind.
c. That the Majiar conquest of Hungary differs only in
date ; for, certainly, it would be a bold statement to assert
that a similar conquest of an area of equal magnitude on the
Indus, on the part of the Europeans of Thrace and the
Lower Danube, at a sufficiently early date, would not account
for all the points of likeness between the Hindu and the
European. The likelihood of such an event happening, is
measured by the actual conquests of the Macedonians.
Such is the balance of the difficulties of the two hypotheses ;
the conclusion in the mind of the present writer being' that if
we consider the Sanskrit to be Asiatic, in the way that the
Majiar is European, we escape the unnecessary multiplication
of causes, and avoid assumptions of which the number and
amount has never been fairly measured.
How far the Jats of India are Get- — Bell. Gall. i. ] . " Belgas — solos esse qui,
patrum nostrorum memoria, omni Gallia vexata, Teutones Cim-
brosque intra fines suos ingredi prohibuerint. 11 — Bell. Gall. ii. 4.
Now if the Teutones and Cimbri had moved from north to
south, they would have clashed with the Belgse first, and with
the other Gauls afterwards. The converse, however, was the
fact. It is right here to state, that the last observation may
be explained away by supposing either that the Teutones and
Cimbri here meant may be a remnant of the confederation on
their return, or else a portion that settled down in Gaul upon
their way ; or finally, a division that made a circle towards
the place of their destination in a south-east direction. None
of these, however, seem the plain and natural construction ;
and I would rather, if reduced to the alternative, read
Germania instead of Gallia, than acquiesce in the most
probable of them.
Diodorus Siculus, without defining their locality, deals
throughout with the Cimbri as a Gaulish tribe. Besides this,
he gives us one of the elements of the assumed indistinctness
APPENDIX. civil
of ideas in regard to their origin, vim., their hypothetical con-
nection with the Cimmerii. In this recognition of what might
have been called the Cimmerian theory, he is followed by
Strabo and Plutarch. — Diod. Sicul. v. 82. Strabo, vii. Plu-
tarch. Vit. Marii.
The next writer who mentions them is Strabo. In con-
firmation of the view taken above, this author places the
Cimbri on the northernmost limit of the area geographically
known to him, viz., beyond Gaul and in Germany, between
the Rhine and the Elbe : Tcov 8e Tep/j,dvcov, &>? elirov, ol fiev
irpoaapKrioi Traprjicovcn ra> 'Q/ceava). Tvcopl^ovrai S' airo
rcbv i/c§o\a>v rod 'Vtfvov ~kd§ovreovv8ovcnoi, avaroXiKcorepoi Se Xapov&es,
Trdvrcov Be apKTiKOirepoi KlfiSpoc. — Ptolernan Germania.
Such is the evidence of those writers, Greek or Roman, who
deal with the local habitation of the Oimbri rather than with
the general history of that tribe. As a measure of the inde-
finitude of their ideas, we have the confusion, already noticed,
between the Cimbri and Cimmerii, on the parts of Diodorus,
Strabo and Plutarch. A better measure occurs in the follow-
ing extract from Pliny, who not only fixes the Cimbri in three
places at once, but also (as far as we can find any meaning in
his language) removes them so far northward as Norway :
" Alteram genus Inggevones ; quorum pars Cimbri, Teutoni, ac
Chan coram gentes. Proximi Rheno Istaevones ; quorum pars
Cimbri mediterranei."" — iv. 28. " Promontorium Cimbrorum
excurrens in maria longe peninsulam efficit, quae Cartris appel-
latur." — Ibid. 27. " Sevo Mons (the mountain-chains of Nor-
way) immanem ad Cimbrorum usque promontorium efficit
sinum, qui Codanus vocatur, refertus insulis, quarum clarissima
Scandinavia est, incompertse magnitudinis. 11 — Ibid. Upon
confusion like this it is not considered necessary to expend
further evidence. So few statements coincide, that under
all views there must be a misconception somewhere ; and of
such misconception great must the amount be, to become
more improbable than a national migration from Jutland to
Italy.
Over and above, however, this particular question of evi-
dence, there stands a second one ; viz. the determination of
the ethnographical relations of the nations under considera-
tion. This is the point as to whether the Cimbri conquered
by Marius were Celts or Goths, akin to the Gauls, or akin to
the Germans ; a disputed point, and one which, for its own
sake only, were worth discussing, even at the expense of raising
a wholly independent question. Such, however, it is not. If
the Cimbri were Kelts, the improbability of their originating
in the Cimbric Chersonese would be increased, and with it the
amount of evidence required ; since, laying aside other consi-
derations, the natural unlikelihood of a large area being tra-
versed by a mass of emigrants is greatly enhanced by the fact
APPENDIX. Clix
of any intermediate portion of that area being possessed by
tribes as alien to each other as the Gauls and Germans. Hence,
therefore, the fact of the Cimbri being Kelts will (if proved)
be considered as making against the probability of their origin
in the Cimbric Chersonese ; whilst, if they be shown to be
Goths, the difficulties of the supposition will be in some degree
diminished. Whichever way this latter point is settled, some-
thing will be gained for the historian ; since the supposed
presence of Kelts in the Cimbric Chersonese has complicated
more than one question in ethnography.
Previous to proceeding in the inquiry, it may be well to lay
down, once for all, as a postulate, that whatever, in the way
of ethnography, is proved concerning any one tribe of the
Cimbro-Teutonic league, must be considered as proved con-
cerning the remainder ; since all explanations, grounded upon
the idea that one part was Gothic and another part Keltic,
have a certain amount of prima facie improbability to set
aside. The same conditions as to the burden of proof apply
also to any hypothesis founded on the notion of retiring Cimbri
posterior to the attempted invasion of Italy. On this point
the list of authors quoted will not be brought below the time
of Ptolemy. With the testimonies anterior to that writer,
bearing upon the question of the ethnography, the attempt,
however, will be made to be exhaustive. Furthermore, as the
question in hand is not so much the absolute fact as to whe-
ther the Cimbri were Kelts or Goths, but one as to the amount
of evidence upon which we believe them to be either the one
or the other, statements will be noticed under the head of
evidence, not because they are really proofs, but simply
because they have ever been looked upon as such. Beginning
then with the Germanic origin of the Cimbro-Teutonic confe-
deration, and dealing separately with such tribes as are sepa-
rately mentioned, we first find the
Ambrones. — In the Anglo-Saxon poem called the Traveller's
Song, there is a notice of a tribe called Ymbre, Ymbras, or
Ymbran. Suhm, the historian of Denmark, has allowed him-
self to imagine that these represent the Ambrones, and that
their names still exists in that of the island Amron of the
coast of Sleswick, and perhaps in Amerland, a part of Olden-
clx APPENDIX.
burg. — Thorpe's note on the Traveller's Song in the Codex
Exoniensis.
Teutones. — In the way of evidence of there being Teutones
amongst the Germans, over and above the associate mention
of their names with that of the Cimbri, there is but little.
They are not so mentioned either by Tacitus or Strabo.
Ptolemy, however, mentions a) the Teutonarii, b) the Teutones :
TevrovodpcoL Kal Oulpovvoi — QapahetvaiV he Kal 2,vrj£a>v,
TeuTove9 Kal "AfiapiroL. Besides this, however, arguments
have been taken from a) the meaning of the rout teut = people
(]>iuda, Moeso-Gothic ; \eod, Anglo-Saxon ; diot, Old High
German : b) the saltus Teutobergius : c) the supposed con-
nection of the present word Deut-sch = German with the
classical word Teut-ones. These may briefly be disposed of.
a.) It is not unlikely for an invading nation to call them-
selves the nation, the nations, the people, &c. Neither, if the
tribe in question had done so (presuming them to have been
Germans or Goths), would the word employed be very unlike
Teuton-es. Although the word \iud-a = nation or people, is
generally strong in its declension (so making the plural \iud-
6s), it is found also in a weak form with its plural thiot-un =
Teuton-. See Deutsche Grammatik, i. 630.
b.) The saltus Teutobergius mentioned by Tacitus (Ann. i.
60) can scarcely have taken its name from a tribe, or, on the
other hand, have given it to one. It means either the hill of
the people, or the city of the people ; according as the syllable
-berg- is derived from bdirgs = a hill, or from baurgs = a city.
In either case the compound is allowable, e.g. diot-wec, public
way, Old High German ; thwd-scatho, robber of the people,
Old Saxon ; Ipeod-cyning, ]>e,od-mearc, boundary of the nation,
Anglo-Saxon ; \\6d-land, tybd-vegr, people s way, Icelandic ;
— Theud-tf-mVws, Yixewd-e-linda, Theud-{-^o^/io, proper names
(from )>iud-) : himil-h'er&c, velt--perac, /W'Sw-perac, Old High
German ; himinbiorg, valbiorg, Icelandic (from bdirgs = hill)
— ascipurc, hasalipmc, saltzpurc, &c, Old High German
(from baurgs = city) . The particular word diot-puruc = ci-
vitas magna occurs in Old High German. — See Deutsche
Grammatik, iii. p. 478.
c.) Akin to this is the reasoning founded upon the connec-
APPENDIX. clxi
tion (real or supposed) between the root Teut- in Teuton-, and
the root deut- in Deut-sch. It runs thus. The syllable in
question is common to the word Teut-ones, Teut-onicus, Theod-
iscus, teud-iscus, teut-iscus, tut-iske, dut-iske, tiut-sche, deut-sch ;
whilst the word Deut-sch means German. As the Teut-ones
were Germans, so were the Oimbri also. Now this line of
argument is set aside by the circumstance that the syllable
Teut- in Teut-ones and Teut-onicus, as the names of the con-
federates of the Oimbri, is wholly unconnected with the Teut-
on theod-iscus, and Deut-sch. This is fully shown by Grimm
in his dissertation on the words German and Dutch. In its
oldest form the latter word meant popular, national, verna-
cular ; it was an adjective applied to the vulgar tongue, or the
vernacular German, in opposition to the Latin. In the tenth
century the secondary form Teut-onicus came in vogue even
with German writers. Whether this arose out of imitation of
the Latin form Bomanice, or out of the idea of an historical
connection with the Teutones of the classics, is immaterial.
It is clear that the present word Deut-sch proves nothing
respecting the Teutones. Perhaps, however, as early as the
time of Martial the word Teutonicus was used in a general
sense, denoting the Germans in general. Certain it is that,
before his time, it meant the particular people conquered by
Marius, irrespective of origin or locality. — See Grimm 1 s
Deutsche Grammatik, i. p. 17, 3rd edit. Martial, xiv. 26,
Teutonici capilli. Claudian. in Eutrop. i. 406, Teutonicum
The Cimbri. — Evidence to the Gothic origin of the Cimbri
(treated separately) begins with the writers under Augustus
and Tiberius.
Veil. Paterculus. — The testimony of this writer as to the
affinities of the nations in question is involved in his testimony
as to their locality, and consequently subject to the same cri-
ticism. His mention of them (as Germans) is incidental.
Strabo. — Over and above the references already made,
Strabo has certain specific statements concerning the Cimbri :
a.) That according to a tradition (which he does not believe)
they left their country on account of an inundation of the sea.
This is applicable to Germany rather than to Gaul. This
A A
Clxii APPENDIX.
liability to inundations must not, however, be supposed to
indicate a locality in the Cimbric Chersonese as well as a
German origin, since the coast between the Scheldt and Elbe
is as obnoxious to the ocean as the coasts of Holstein, Sles-
wick, and Jutland, b.) That against the German Cimbri and
Teutones the Belgoe alone kept their ground — ware fiovovs
(BeA/ya^) clvre^ecv Trpbs ti)v twv Tepfxdvwv ecpohov, KlfiSpcov
Kal Tevrovcov. — iv. 3. This is merely a translation of Caesar
(see above) with the interpolation Teppbdvwv. c.) That they
inhabited their original country, and that they sent ambas-
sadors to Augustus — Kal ydp vvv eyovat T7)v ydipav rjv elyov
irporepov, Kal eirs/jb^rav too ^eoaaro) Bcopov tov lepcorarov
irap avrols, XeSyjra, alrovpuevot (f)i\iav Kal dfivrjo-Tiav rwv
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