There is a substantial biography of the historian, followed by a brief chronological discussion of his works (42-5). next discusses Tacitus’ writings as a whole (42-8), justifiably since the Germani feature in both his Annals and the Histories. itself by shifting the literary discussion to ‘Roman writers on the Germani’ (35-41) R. in this context by R.’s references to relevant passages from those writers in whose works German ethnography plays an important role-e.g., Caesar and Strabo.Ī few other sections of the introduction merit comment. The commentary reinforces this placing of the Ger. provides an invaluable context for the Ger. Through his wide background reading, 3 R. does more than simply catalogue the ethnographic excursuses offered by ancient historians.

The second section (11-21) has a literary focus as the author explains the ethnographic tradition in ancient times, going back even further than Herodotus. to put aside this assumption from the outset. Using this as the starting point for his discussion has a clear advantage, therefore, for it encourages the reader of the Ger. The identity of the Germani is a difficult question the assumption that the Germani and the people of present-day Germany are related is a dangerous one. dives right into the debate concerning the Germani (1-11). Things definitely get off to a good start: R. In the introductory essay (1-74) the author discusses the work in its various contexts. R.’s edition will disappoint few enthusiasts of this text. Those of us interested in this text therefore have high expectations of any commentary. calls them throughout the work for consistency I will do the same in this review). 2 Since then, there has been substantial progress both in our understanding of Tacitus and the Germani (as R. Benario, the last large-scale English commentary was that of J. Perhaps this is due to accessibility: apart from the recent Aris and Phillips edition by H. Tacitus’ de origine et situ Germanorum (= Ger.), despite the apparent endorsement of the above quote from Ronald Syme, is not a widely studied text. ‘t has appealed to students of literature, and to historians, to researchers in European origins, to patriots and to politicians’.

Tacitus germania english