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apparel nor perfumes。 Into the fire； are always thrown the arms of the
dead； and sometimes his horse。 With sods of earth only the sepulchre
is raised。 The pomp of tedious and elaborate monuments they contemn；
as things grievous to the deceased。 Tears and wailings they soon
dismiss： their affliction and woe they long retain。 In women； it is
reckoned becoming to bewail their loss； in men； to remember it。 This
is what in general we have learned； in the original and customs of the
whole people of Germany。 I shall now deduce the institutions and
usages of the several people； as far as they vary one from another； as
also an account of what nations from thence removed； to settle
themselves in Gaul。
That the Gauls were in times past more puissant and formidable； is
related by the Prince of authors； the deified Julius ＇Caesar＇； and
hence it is probable that they too have passed into Germany。 For what
a small obstacle must be a river； to restrain any nation； as each grew
more potent； from seizing or changing habitations； when as yet all
habitations were common； and not parted or appropriated by the
founding and terror of Monarchies？ The region therefore between the
Hercynian Forest and the rivers Moenus and Rhine； was occupied by the
Helvetians； as was that beyond it by the Boians； both nations of Gaul。
There still remains a place called /Boiemum/； which denotes the
primitive name and antiquity of the country； although the inhabitants
have been changed。 But whether the Araviscans are derived from the
Osians； a nation of Germans passing into Pannonia； or the Osians from
the Araviscans removing from thence into Germany； is a matter
undecided； since they both still use the language； the same customs
and the same laws。 For； as of old they lived alike poor and alike
free； equal proved the evils and advantages on each side the river；
and common to both people。 The Treverians and Nervians aspire
passionately to the reputation of being descended from the Germans；
since by the glory of this original； they would escape all imputation
of resembling the Gauls in person and effeminacy。 Such as dwell upon
the bank of the Rhine； the Vangiones； the Tribocians； and the Nemetes；
are without doubt all Germans。 The Ubians are ashamed of their
original； though they have a particular honour to boast； that of
having merited an establishment as a Roman Colony； and still delight
to be called /Agrippinensians/； after the name of their founder： they
indeed formerly came from beyond the Rhine； and； for the many proofs
of their fidelity； were settled upon the very bank of the river； not
to be there confined or guarded themselves； but to guard and defend
that boundary against the rest of the Germans。
Of all these nations； the Batavians are the most signal in bravery。
They inhabit not much territory upon the Rhine； but possess an island
in it。 They were formerly part of the Cattans； and by means of feuds
at home removed to these dwellings； whence they might become a portion
of the Roman Empire。 With them this honour still remains； as also the
memorials of their ancient association with us： for they are not under
the contempt of paying tribute； nor subject to be squeezed by the
farmers of the revenue。 Free from all impositions and payments； and
only set apart for the purposes of fighting； they are reserved wholly
for the wars； in the same manner as a magazine of weapons and armour。
Under the same degree of homage are the nation of the Mattiacians。 For
such is the might and greatness of the Roman People； as to have
carried the awe and esteem of their Empire beyond the Rhine and the
ancient boundaries。 Thus the Mattiacians； living upon the opposite
banks； enjoy a settlement and limits of their own； yet in spirit and
inclination are attached to us： in other things resembling the
Batavians； save that as they still breathe their original air； still
possess their primitive soil； they are thence inspired with superior
vigour and keenness。 Amongst the people of Germany I would not reckon
those who occupy the lands which are under decimation； though they be
such as dwell beyond the Rhine and the Danube。 By several worthless
and vagabond Gauls； and such as poverty rendered daring； that region
was seized as one belonging to no certain possessor： afterwards it
became a skirt of the Empire and part of a province； upon the
enlargement of our bounds and the extending of our garrisons and
frontier。
Beyond these are the Cattans； whose territories begin at the Hercynian
Forest； and consist not of such wide and marshy plains； as those of
the other communities contained within the vast compass of Germany；
but produce ranges of hills； such as run lofty and contiguous for a
long tract； then by degrees sink and decay。 Moreover the Hercynian
Forest attends for a while its native Cattans； then suddenly forsakes
them。 This people are distinguished with bodies more hardy and robust；
compact limbs； stern countenances； and greater vigour of spirit。 For
Germans； they are men of much sense and address。 They dignify chosen
men； listen to such as are set over them； know how to preserve their
post； to discern occasions； to rebate their own ardour and impatience；
how to employ the day； how to entrench themselves by night。 They
account fortune amongst things slippery and uncertain； but bravery
amongst such as are never…failing and secure； and； what is exceeding
rare nor ever to be learnt but by a wholesome course of discipline； in
the conduct of the general they repose more assurance than in the
strength of the army。 Their whole forces consist of foot； who besides
their arms carry likewise instruments of iron and their provisions。
You may see other Germans proceed equipped to battle； but the Cattans
so as to conduct a war。 They rarely venture upon excursions or casual
encounters。 It is in truth peculiar to cavalry； suddenly to conquer；
or suddenly to fly。 Such haste and velocity rather resembles fear。
Patience and deliberation are more akin to intrepidity。
Moreover a custom； practised indeed in other nations of Germany； yet
very rarely and confined only to particulars more daring than the
rest； prevails amongst the Cattans by universal consent。 As soon as
they arrive to maturity of years； they let their hair and beards
continue to grow； nor till they have slain an enemy do they ever lay
aside this form of countenance by vow sacred to valour。 Over the blood
and spoil of a foe they make bare their face。 They allege； that they
have now acquitted themselves of the debt and duty contracted by their
birth； and rendered themselves worthy of their country； worthy of
their parents。 Upon the spiritless； cowardly and unwarlike； such
deformity of visage still remains。 All the most brave likewise wear an
iron ring （a mark of great dishonour this in that nation） and retain
it as a chain； till by killing an enemy they become released。 Many of
the Cattans delight always to bear this terrible aspect； and； when
grown white through age； become awful and conspicuous by such marks；
both to the enemy and their own countrymen。 By them in all engagements
the first assault is made： of them the front of the battle is always
composed； as men who in their looks are singular and tremendous。 For
even during peace they abate nothing in the grimness and horror of
their countenance。 They have no house to inhabit； no land to
cultivate； nor any domestic charge or care。 With whomsoever they come
to sojourn； by him they are maintained； always very prodigal of the
substance of others； always despising what is their own； till the
feebleness of old age overtakes them； and renders them unequal to the
efforts of such rigid bravery。
Next to the Cattans； dwell the Usipians and Tencterians； upon the
Rhine now running in a channel uniform and certain； such as suffices
for a boundary。 The Tencterians； besides their wonted glory in war；
surpass in the service and discipline of their cavalry。 Nor do the
Cattans derive higher applause from their foot； than the Tencterians
from their horse。 Such was the order established by their forefathers；
and what their posterity still pursue。 From riding and exercising of
horse； their children borrow their pastimes； in this exercise the
young men find matter for emulating one another； and in this the old
men take pleasure to persevere。 Horses are by the father bequeathed as
part of his household and family； horses are conveyed amongst the
rights of succession； and as such the son receives them； but not the
eldest son； like other effects； by priority of birth； but he who
continues to be signal in boldness and superior in war。
Contiguous to the Tencterians formerly dwelt the Bructerians； in whose
room it is said the Chamavians and Angrivarians are now settled； they
who expulsed and almost extirpated the Bructerians； with the
concurrence of the neighbouring nations： whether in detestation of
their arrogance； or allured by the love of spoil； or through the
special favour of the Gods towards us Romans。 They in truth even
vouchsafed to gratify us with the sight of the battle。 In it there
fell above sixty thousand souls； without a blow struck by the Romans；
but； what is a circumstance st