Tacitus on Germany

by Cornelius Tacitus

"Tacitus on Germany" by Cornelius Tacitus is an ethnographic work written around 98 AD. This Roman historian's account explores the lands, laws, and customs of Germanic peoples living beyond the Roman Empire's borders. Tacitus describes their physical characteristics, tribal divisions, government systems, and social practices, including their treatment of women and approach to marriage. Though he never visited Germania himself, Tacitus compiled information from various sources to create this portrait of a distinct people. The work remained largely forgotten until its rediscovery in 1425, profoundly influencing later German scholarship and identity.