Reviews
De Origine et situ Germanorum (98) by Publius Tacitus, translated by Lamberto Bozzi (2012). Versified well, which makes even the boring bits about ploughs a pleasure. I read this aloud, and me and the audience had a long inconclusive discussion about how many of the claims are likely to be complete bullshit. Most interesting were: the prevalence of Greek myths among the Goths, and Tacitus' very early cross-cultural approval of some things. For when on chastity a woman cheats She finds no mercy among the tribesmen And cannot come by a husband again No matter how young and rich and fair Nobody laughs at these vices there Or calls corruption a sign of the times. Better still are the nations in those climes Where virgins once only marry, Willing for the right mate to tarry; They take one husband, one body, one life - No other thought or longing needs a wife Who loves more than her man the married state... Nowhere near as racist as expected!