Moeurs des anciens Germains

by Cornelius Tacitus

"Moeurs des anciens Germains" by Cornelius Tacitus is an ethnographic work written around 98 AD. This Roman historian's account explores the lands, customs, and peoples of Germania beyond the Empire's borders. Tacitus describes Germanic physical traits, tribal divisions, leadership practices, and social customs—including their treatment of women and marriage. Drawing on secondhand sources, he paints a portrait of a distinct northern people. Rediscovered in 1425, this minor work profoundly influenced German nationalism and scholarship for centuries, shaping how Europeans understood their ancient past.