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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 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 ma