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stands the wood /Castum/： in it is a chariot dedicated to the Goddess
covered over with a curtain； and permitted to be touched by none but
the Priest。 Whenever the Goddess enters this her holy vehicle； he
perceives her； and with profound veneration attends the motion of the
chariot； which is always drawn by yoked cows。 Then it is that days of
rejoicing always ensue； and in all places whatsoever which she
descends to honour with a visit and her company； feasts and recreation
abound。 They go not to war； they touch no arms； fast laid up is every
hostile weapon； peace and repose are then only known； then only
beloved； till to the temple the same priest reconducts the Goddess
when well tired with the conversation of mortal beings。 Anon the
chariot is washed and purified in a secret lake； as also the curtain；
nay； the Deity herself too； if you choose to believe it。 In this
office it is slaves who minister； and they are forthwith doomed to be
swallowed up in the same lake。 Hence all men are possessed with
mysterious terror； as well as with a holy ignorance what that must be；
which none see but such as are immediately to perish。 Moreover this
quarter of the Suevians stretches to the middle of Germany。
The community next adjoining； is that of the Hermondurians； （that I
may now follow the course of the Danube； as a little before I did that
of the Rhine） a people this； faithful to the Romans。 So that to them
alone of all the Germans； commerce is permitted； not barely upon the
bank of the Rhine； but more extensively； and even in that glorious
colony in the province of Rhoetia。 They travel everywhere at their own
discretion and without a guard； and when to other nations； we show no
more than our arms and encampments； to this people we throw open our
houses and dwellings； as to men who have no longing to possess them。
In the territories of the Hermondurians rises the Elbe； a river very
famous and formerly well known to us； at present we only hear it
named。
Close by the Hermondurians reside the Nariscans； and next to them the
Marcomanians and Quadians。 Amongst these the Marcomanians are most
signal in force and renown； nay； their habitation itself they acquired
by their bravery； as from thence they formerly expulsed the Boians。
Nor do the Nariscans or Quadians degenerate in spirit。 Now this is as
it were the frontier of Germany； as far as Germany is washed by the
Danube。 To the times within our memory the Marcomanians and Quadians
were governed by kings； who were natives of their own； descended from
the noble line of Maroboduus and Tudrus。 At present they are even
subject to such as are foreigners。 But the whole strength and sway of
their king is derived from the authority of the Romans。 From our arms；
they rarely receive any aid； from our money very frequently。
Nor less powerful are the several people beyond them； namely； the
Marsignians； the Gothinians； the Osians and the Burians； who
altogether enclose the Marcomanians and Quadians behind。 Of those； the
Marsignians and the Burians in speech and dress resemble the Suevians。
From the Gallic language spoken by the Gothinians； and from that of
Pannonia by the Osians； it is manifest that neither of these people
are Germans； as it is also from their bearing to pay tribute。 Upon
them as upon aliens their tribute is imposed； partly by the
Sarmatians； partly by the Quadians。 The Gothinians； to heighten their
disgrace； are forced to labour in the iron mines。 By all these several
nations but little level country is possessed： they are seated amongst
forests； and upon the ridges and declivities of mountains。 For； Suevia
is parted by a continual ridge of mountains； beyond which； live many
distinct nations。 Of these the Lygians are most numerous and
extensive； and spread into several communities。 It will suffice to
mention the most puissant； even the Arians； Helvicones； Manimians；
Elysians and Naharvalians。 Amongst the Naharvalians is shown a grove；
sacred to devotion extremely ancient。 Over it a Priest presides
apparelled like a woman； but according to the explication of the
Romans； 'tis /Castor/ and /Pollux/ who are here worshipped。 This
Divinity is named /Alcis/。 There are indeed no images here； no traces
of an extraneous superstition； yet their devotion is addressed to
young men and to brothers。 Now the Arians； besides their forces； in
which they surpass the several nations just recounted； are in their
persons stern and truculent； and even humour and improve their natural
grimness and ferocity by art and time。 They wear black shields； their
bodies are painted black； they choose dark nights for engaging in
battle； and by the very awe and ghastly hue of their army； strike the
enemy with dread； as none can bear this their aspect so surprising and
as it were quite infernal。 For； in all battles the eyes are vanquished
first。
Beyond the Lygians dwell the Gothones； under the rule of a King； and
thence held in subjection somewhat stricter than the other German
nations； yet not so strict as to extinguish all their liberty。
Immediately adjoining are the Rugians and Lemovians upon the coast of
the ocean； and of these several nations the characteristics are a
round shield； a short sword and kingly government。 Next occur the
communities of the Suiones； situated in the ocean itself； and besides
their strength in men and arms； very powerful at sea。 The form of
their vessels varies thus far from ours； that they have prows at each
end； so as to be always ready to row to shore without turning nor are
they moved by sails； nor on their sides have benches of oars placed；
but the rowers ply here and there in all parts of the ship alike； as
in some rivers is done； and change their oars from place to place；
just as they shift their course hither or thither。 To wealth also；
amongst them； great veneration is paid； and thence a single ruler
governs them； without all restriction of power； and exacting unlimited
obedience。 Neither here； as amongst other nations of Germany； are arms
used indifferently by all； but shut up and warded under the care of a
particular keeper； who in truth too is always a slave： since from all
sudden invasions and attacks from their foes； the ocean protects them：
besides that armed bands； when they are not employed； grow easily
debauched and tumultuous。 The truth is； it suits not the interest of
an arbitrary Prince； to trust the care and power of arms either with a
nobleman or with a freeman； or indeed with any man above the condition
of a slave。
Beyond the Suiones is another sea； one very heavy and almost void of
agitation； and by it the whole globe is thought to be bounded and
environed； for that the reflection of the sun； after his setting；
continues till his rising； so bright as to darken the stars。 To this；
popular opinion has added； that the tumult also of his emerging from
the sea is heard； that forms divine are then seen； as likewise the
rays about his head。 Only thus far extend the limits of nature； if
what fame says be true。 Upon the right of the Suevian Sea the AEstyan
nations reside； who use the same customs and attire with the Suevians；
their language more resembles that of Britain。 They worship the Mother
of the Gods。 As the characteristic of their national superstition；
they wear the images of wild boars。 This alone serves them for arms；
this is the safeguard of all； and by this every worshipper of the
goddess is secured even amidst his foes。 Rare amongst them is the use
of weapons of iron； but frequent that of clubs。 In producing of grain
and the other fruits of the earth； they labour with more assiduity and
patience than is suitable to the usual laziness of Germans。 Nay； they
even search the deep； and of all the rest are the only people who
gather /amber/。 They call it /glasing/； and find it amongst the
shallows and upon the very shore。 But； according to the ordinary
incuriosity and ignorance of Barbarians； they have neither learnt； nor
do they inquire； what is its nature； or from what cause it is
produced。 In truth it lay long neglected amongst the other gross
discharges of the sea； till from our luxury； it gained a name and
value。 To themselves it is of no use： they gather it rough； they
expose it in pieces coarse and unpolished； and for it receive a price
with wonder。 You would however conceive it to be a liquor issuing from
trees； for that in the transparent substance are often seen birds and
other animals； such as at first stuck in the soft gum； and by it； as
it hardened； became quite enclosed。 I am apt to believe that； as in
the recesses of the East are found woods and groves dropping
frankincense and balms； so in the isles and continent of the West such
gums are extracted by the force and proximity of the sun； at first
liquid and flowing into the next sea； then thrown by the winds and
waves upon the opposite shore。 If you try the nature of amber by the
application of fire； it kindles like a torch； and feeds a thick and
unctuous flame very high scented； and presently becomes glutinous like
pitch or rosin。
Upon the Suiones； border the people Sitones； and； agreeing with them
in all other things； differ from them in one； that here the
sovereignty