第 6 节
作者:
北方刷刷 更新:2021-02-19 21:02 字数:9322
fell above sixty thousand souls; without a blow struck by the Romans;
but; what is a circumstance still more glorious; fell to furnish them
with a spectacle of joy and recreation。 May the Gods continue and
perpetuate amongst these nations; if not any love for us; yet by all
means this their animosity and hate towards each other: since whilst
the destiny of the Empire thus urges it; fortune cannot more signally
befriend us; than in sowing strife amongst our foes。
The Angrivarians and Chamavians are enclosed behind; by the
Dulgibinians and Chasuarians; and by other nations not so much noted:
before the Frisians face them。 The country of Frisia is divided into
two; called the greater and lesser; according to the measure of their
strength。 Both nations stretch along the Rhine; quite to the ocean;
and surround vast lakes such as once have born Roman fleets。 We have
moreover even ventured out from thence into the ocean; and upon its
coasts common fame has reported the pillars of Hercules to be still
standing: whether it be that Hercules ever visited these parts; or
that to his renowned name we are wont to ascribe whatever is grand and
glorious everywhere。 Neither did Drusus who made the attempt; want
boldness to pursue it: but the roughness of the ocean withstood him;
nor would suffer discoveries to be made about itself; no more than
about Hercules。 Thenceforward the enterprise was dropped: nay; more
pious and reverential it seemed; to believe the marvellous feats of
the Gods than to know and to prove them。
Hitherto; I have been describing Germany towards the west。 To the
northward; it winds away with an immense compass。 And first of all
occurs the nation of the Chaucians; who though they begin immediately
at the confines of the Frisians; and occupy part of the shore; extend
so far as to border upon all the several people whom I have already
recounted; till at last; by a Circuit; they reach quite to the
boundaries of the Cattans。 A region so vast; the Chaucians do not only
possess but fill; a people of all the Germans the most noble; such as
would rather maintain their grandeur by justice than violence。 They
live in repose; retired from broils abroad; void of avidity to possess
more; free from a spirit of domineering over others。 They provoke no
wars; they ravage no countries; they pursue no plunder。 Of their
bravery and power; the chief evidence arises from hence; that; without
wronging or oppressing others; they are come to be superior to all。
Yet they are all ready to arm; and if an exigency require; armies are
presently raised; powerful and abounding as they are in men and
horses; and even when they are quiet and their weapons laid aside;
their credit and name continue equally high。
Along the side of the Chaucians and Cattans dwell the Cheruscans; a
people who finding no enemy to rouse them; were enfeebled by a peace
over lasting and uniform; but such as they failed not to nourish。 A
conduct which proved more pleasing than secure; since treacherous is
that repose which you enjoy amongst neighbours that are very powerful
and very fond of rule and mastership。 When recourse is once had to the
sword; modesty and fair dealing will be vainly pleaded by the weaker;
names these which are always assumed by the stronger。 Thus the
Cheruscans; they who formerly bore the character of /good and
upright/; are now called /cowards and fools/; and the fortune of the
Cattans who subdued them; grew immediately to be wisdom。 In the ruin
of the Cheruscans; the Fosians; also their neighbours; were involved;
and in their calamities bore an equal share; though in their
prosperity they had been weaker and less considered。
In the same winding tract of Germany live the Cimbrians; close to the
ocean; a community now very small; but great in fame。 Nay; of their
ancient renown; many and extensive are the traces and monuments still
remaining; even their entrenchments upon either shore; so vast in
compass that from thence you may even now measure the greatness and
numerous bands of that people; and assent to the account of an army so
mighty。 It was on the six hundred and fortieth year of Rome; when of
the arms of the Cimbrians the first mention was made; during the
Consulship of Caecilius Metellus and Papirius Carbo。 If from that time
we count to the second Consulship of the Emperor Trajan; the interval
comprehends near two hundred and ten years; so long have we been
conquering Germany。 In a course of time; so vast between these two
periods; many have been the blows and disasters suffered on each side。
In truth neither from the Samnites; nor from the Carthaginians; nor
from both Spains; nor from all the nations of Gaul; have we received
more frequent checks and alarms; nor even from the Parthians: for;
more vigorous and invincible is the liberty of the Germans than the
monarchy of the Arsacides。 Indeed; what has the power of the East to
allege to our dishonour; but the fall of Crassus; that power which was
itself overthrown and abased by Ventidius; with the loss of the great
King Pacorus bereft of his life? But by the Germans the Roman People
have been bereft of five armies; all commanded by Consuls; by the
Germans; the commanders of these armies; Carbo; and Cassius; and
Scaurus Aurelius; and Servilius Caepio; as also Marcus Manlius; were
all routed or taken: by the Germans even the Emperor Augustus was
bereft of Varus and three legions。 Nor without difficulty and loss of
men were they defeated by Caius Marius in Italy; or by the deified
Julius in Gaul; or by Drusus or Tiberius or Germanicus in their native
territories。 Soon after; the mighty menaces of Caligula against them
ended in mockery and derision。 Thenceforward they continued quiet;
till taking advantage of our domestic division and civil wars; they
stormed and seized the winter entrenchments of the legions; and aimed
at the dominion of Gaul; from whence they were once more expulsed; and
in the times preceding the present; we gained a triumph over them
rather than a victory。
I must now proceed to speak of the Suevians; who are not; like the
Cattans and Tencterians; comprehended in a single people; but divided
into several nations all bearing distinct names; though in general
they are entitled Suevians; and occupy the larger share of Germany。
This people are remarkable for a peculiar custom; that of twisting
their hair and binding it up in a knot。 It is thus the Suevians are
distinguished from the other Germans; thus the free Suevians from
their slaves。 In other nations; whether from alliance of blood with
the Suevians; or; as is usual from imitation; this practice is also
found; yet rarely; and never exceeds the years of youth。 The Suevians;
even when their hair is white through age; continue to raise it
backwards in a manner stern and staring; and often tie it upon the top
of their head only。 That of their Princes; is more accurately
disposed; and so far they study to appear agreeable and comely; but
without any culpable intention。 For by it; they mean not to make love
or to incite it: they thus dress when proceeding to war; and deck
their heads so as to add to their height and terror in the eyes of the
enemy。
Of all the Suevians; the Semnones recount themselves to be the most
ancient and most noble。 The belief of their antiquity is confirmed by
religious mysteries。 At a stated time of the year; all the several
people descended from the same stock; assemble by their deputies in a
wood; consecrated by the idolatries of their forefathers; and by
superstitious awe in times of old。 There by publicly sacrificing a
man; they begin the horrible solemnity of their barbarous worship。 To
this grove another sort of reverence is also paid。 No one enters it
otherwise than bound with ligatures; thence professing his
subordination and meanness; and power of the Deity there。 If he fall
down; he is not permitted to rise or be raised; but grovels along upon
the ground。 And of all their superstition; this is the drift and
tendency; that from this place the nation drew their original; that
here God; the supreme Governor of the world; resides; and that all
things else whatsoever are subject to him and bound to obey him。 The
potent condition of the Semnones has increased their influence and
authority; as they inhabit an hundred towns; and from the largeness of
their community it comes; that they hold themselves for the head of
the Suevians。
What on the contrary ennobles the Langobards is the smallness of their
number; for that they; who are surrounded with very many and very
powerful nations; derive their security from no obsequiousness or
plying; but from the dint of battle and adventurous deeds。 There
follow in order the Reudignians; and Aviones; and Angles; and
Varinians; and Eudoses; and Suardones and Nuithones; all defended by
rivers or forests。 Nor in one of these nations does aught remarkable
occur; only that they universally join in the worship of /Herthum/;
that is to say; the Mother Earth。 Her they believe to interpose in the
affairs of men; and to visit countries。 In an island of the ocean
stands the wood /Castum/: in it is a chariot dedicated to the Goddess
covered over with