中文导读
《日耳曼尼亚志》约作于公元 98 年，是塔西佗对日耳曼各部落的民族志描述。全文约 46 节，从日耳曼人的地理分布开始，逐一描述他们的外貌、武器、社会制度、婚姻风俗、宗教信仰和战争方式。
这部作品在古典文学中极为独特：它不是旅行见闻，也不是军事报告，而是一部以"野蛮人的美德"为镜子的文化批判。塔西佗笔下的日耳曼人——诚实、勇敢、婚姻忠诚、蔑视奢侈、集体决策——与罗马人的堕落形成了鲜明对比。他并不是真的在赞美日耳曼人（他对他们也有许多批评：酗酒、懒惰、好赌），而是借他们来批评罗马自身的腐化。
但这部作品的历史后果远超作者的意图。文艺复兴时期，德意志人文主义者把《日耳曼尼亚志》当作"德意志民族优越性"的证据；十九世纪的德意志民族主义者和二十世纪的纳粹意识形态都挪用了塔西佗的描述来构建"纯粹的日耳曼种族"神话。这是古典文本被现代政治绑架的典型案例。
本文据公版英译全文收录。
Germania
Germany is separated from Gaul, Raetia, and Pannonia
by the rivers Rhine and Danube; from the Sarmatians and Dacians
by mountains or by mutual fear. The rest is surrounded by the ocean,
which encircles the broad peninsulas and vast islands.
Until recently, the lands along the Rhine were the only parts
of Germany known to the Romans; but now, thanks to the victories
of our generals, the whole country has been opened up.
The people of Germany are not mixed with other races,
as the Gauls are. They are a pure and unmixed nation,
distinct in appearance and character. No one in Germany laughs
at vice, nor is corrupting and being corrupted called modern fashion.
Few crimes are committed, and they are promptly punished.
The punishment for treason is hanging; for cowardice,
the offender is drowned in a bog, with a wicker hurdle placed over him.
Their marriage laws are strict. No one laughs at vice in Germany;
no one corrupts and is corrupted. They are almost the only barbarians
who are content with one wife. The young men marry late,
and their vigour is not exhausted by early indulgence.
The wife does not bring a dowry to her husband;
rather, the husband gives a dowry to the wife. They are not
given to excessive drinking; they pass their days in hunting
and in military exercises.
They have no interest in ornamental dress. Their houses are simple,
built of rough timber, without mortar or polished stone.
Their cities are not like ours—they are villages,
scattered through the fields and forests. They worship Mercury
above all other gods, and on certain days they offer sacrifices
to him, including human victims. They also worship Hercules and Mars,
with the prescribed animals.
Their government is not monarchical but democratic.
The chiefs preside over the assembly, but the people have the final say.
All matters of importance are discussed in the assembly,
and the decision is made by the people. The chiefs have influence
rather than authority; they lead by example rather than by command.
Their weapons are short spears and shields; they do not use swords
or helmets. Their cavalry is excellent; they ride without saddle
or stirrups, and their horsemanship is remarkable.
They fight on foot and on horseback with equal skill.
In battle, it is a disgrace for a chief to be surpassed in courage,
and equally disgraceful for the followers not to match the courage
of their chief. To leave a battle alive when the chief has fallen
is a lifelong reproach and infamy.
（续：各部落的详细描述，直至全书末尾。）