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equality that no one is ever behind the rest。 To one who considers the
whole it is manifest； that in their foot their principal strength
lies； and therefore they fight intermixed with the motions and
engagements of the cavalry。 So that the infantry are elected from
amongst the most robust of their youth； and placed in front of the
army。 The number to be sent is also ascertained； out of every village
/an hundred/； and by this very name they continue to be called at
home； /those of the hundred band/： thus what was at first no more than
a number； becomes thenceforth a title and distinction of honour。 In
arraying their army； they divide the whole into distinct battalions
formed sharp in front。 To recoil in battle； provided you return again
to the attack； passes with them rather for policy than fear。 Even when
the combat is no more than doubtful； they bear away the bodies of
their slain。 The most glaring disgrace that can befall them； is to
have quitted their shield； nor to one branded with such ignominy is it
lawful to join in their sacrifices； or to enter into their assemblies；
and many who had escaped in the day of battle； have hanged themselves
to put an end to this their infamy。
In the choice of kings they are determined by the splendour of their
race； in that of generals by their bravery。 Neither is the power of
their kings unbounded or arbitrary： and their generals procure
obedience not so much by the force of their authority as by that of
their example； when they appear enterprising and brave； when they
signalise themselves by courage and prowess； and if they surpass all
in admiration and pre…eminence； if they surpass all at the head of an
army。 But to none else but the Priests is it allowed to exercise
correction； or to inflict bonds or stripes。 Nor when the Priests do
this； is the same considered as a punishment； or arising from the
orders of the general； but from the immediate command of the Deity；
Him whom they believe to accompany them in war。 They therefore carry
with them when going to fight； certain images and figures taken out of
their holy groves。 What proves the principal incentive to their valour
is； that it is not at random nor by the fortuitous conflux of men that
their troops and pointed battalions are formed； but by the conjunction
of whole families； and tribes of relations。 Moreover； close to the
field of battle are lodged all the nearest and most interesting
pledges of nature。 Hence they hear the doleful howlings of their
wives； hence the cries of their tender infants。 These are to each
particular the witnesses whom he most reverences and dreads； these
yield him the praise which affect him most。 Their wounds and maims
they carry to their mothers； or to their wives； neither are their
mothers or wives shocked in telling； or in sucking their bleeding
sores。 Nay； to their husbands and sons whilst engaged in battle； they
administer meat and encouragement。
In history we find； that some armies already yielding and ready to
fly； have been by women restored； through their inflexible importunity
and entreaties； presenting their breasts； and showing their impending
captivity； an evil to the Germans then by far most dreadful when it
befalls their women。 So that the spirit of such cities as amongst
their hostages are enjoined to send their damsels of quality； is
always engaged more effectually than that of others。 They even believe
them endowed with something celestial and the spirit of prophecy。
Neither do they disdain to consult them； nor neglect the responses
which they return。 In the reign of the deified Vespasian； we have seen
/Veleda/ for a long time； and by many nations； esteemed and adored as
a divinity。 In times past they likewise worshipped /Aurinia/ and
several more； from no complaisance or effort of flattery； nor as
Deities of their own creating。
Of all the Gods； Mercury is he whom they worship most。 To him on
certain stated days it is lawful to offer even human victims。 Hercules
and Mars they appease with beasts usually allowed for sacrifice。 Some
of the Suevians make likewise immolations to /Isis/。 Concerning the
cause and original of this foreign sacrifice I have found small light；
unless the figure of her image formed like a galley； show that such
devotion arrived from abroad。 For the rest； from the grandeur and
majesty of beings celestial； they judge it altogether unsuitable to
hold the Gods enclosed within walls； or to represent them under any
human likeness。 They consecrate whole woods and groves； and by the
names of the Gods they call these recesses； divinities these； which
only in contemplation and mental reverence they behold。
To the use of lots and auguries； they are addicted beyond all other
nations。 Their method of divining by lots is exceeding simple。 From a
tree which bears fruit they cut a twig； and divide it into two small
pieces。 These they distinguish by so many several marks； and throw
them at random and without order upon a white garment。 Then the Priest
of the community； if for the public the lots are consulted； or the
father of a family if about a private concern； after he has solemnly
invoked the Gods； with eyes lifted up to heaven； takes up every piece
thrice； and having done thus forms a judgment according to the marks
before made。 If the chances have proved forbidding； they are no more
consulted upon the same affair during the same day； even when they are
inviting； yet； for confirmation； the faith of auguries too is tried。
Yea； here also is the known practice of divining events from the
voices and flight of birds。 But to this nation it is peculiar； to
learn presages and admonitions divine from horses also。 These are
nourished by the State in the same sacred woods and grooves； all milk…
white and employed in no earthly labour。 These yoked in the holy
chariot； are accompanied by the Priest and the King； or the Chief of
the community； who both carefully observed his actions and neighing。
Nor in any sort of augury is more faith and assurance reposed； not by
the populace only； but even by the nobles； even by the Priests。 These
account themselves the ministers of the Gods； and the horses privy to
his will。 They have likewise another method of divination； whence to
learn the issue of great and mighty wars。 From the nation with whom
they are at war they contrive； it avails not how； to gain a captive：
him they engage in combat with one selected from amongst themselves；
each armed after the manner of his country； and according as the
victory falls to this or to the other； gather a presage of the whole。
Affairs of smaller moment the chiefs determine： about matters of
higher consequence the whole nation deliberates； yet in such sort；
that whatever depends upon the pleasure and decision of the people； is
examined and discussed by the chiefs。 Where no accident or emergency
intervenes； they assemble upon stated days； either； when the moon
changes； or is full： since they believe such seasons to be the most
fortunate for beginning all transactions。 Neither in reckoning of time
do they count； like us； the number of days but that of nights。 In this
style their ordinances are framed； in this style their diets
appointed； and with them the night seems to lead and govern the day。
From their extensive liberty this evil and default flows； that they
meet not at once； nor as men commanded and afraid to disobey； so that
often the second day； nay often the third； is consumed through the
slowness of the members in assembling。 They sit down as they list；
promiscuously； like a crowd； and all armed。 It is by the Priests that
silence is enjoined； and with the power of correction the Priests are
then invested。 Then the King or Chief is heard； as are others； each
according to his precedence in age； or in nobility； or in warlike
renown； or in eloquence； and the influence of every speaker proceeds
rather from his ability to persuade than from any authority to
command。 If the proposition displease； they reject it by an
inarticulate murmur： if it be pleasing； they brandish their javelins。
The most honourable manner of signifying their assent； is to express
their applause by the sound of their arms。
In the assembly it is allowed to present accusations； and to prosecute
capital offences。 Punishments vary according to the quality of the
crime。 Traitors and deserters they hang upon trees。 Cowards； and
sluggards； and unnatural prostitutes they smother in mud and bogs
under an heap of hurdles。 Such diversity in their executions has this
view； that in punishing of glaring iniquities； it behooves likewise to
display them to sight； but effeminacy and pollution must be buried and
concealed。 In lighter transgressions too the penalty is measured by
the fault； and the delinquents upon conviction are condemned to pay a
certain number of horses or cattle。 Part of this mulct accrues to the
King or to the community； part to him whose wrongs are vindicated； or
to his next kindred。 In the same assemblies are also chosen their
chiefs or rulers； such as administer justice in their villages and
boroughs。 To each of these are assigned an hundred persons chosen from
amongst the populace； to accompany and assis