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