Notes on Publication
Notes On Publication
TACITUS ON GERMANY
Translated by
Thomas Gordon
The "Germany" is a document of the greatest interest and importance, since it gives us by far the most detailed account of the state of culture among the tribes that are the ancestors of the modern Teutonic nations, at the time when they first came into account with the civilization of the Mediterranean.
PREPARER'S NOTE
This text was prepared from a 1910 edition, published by P F
Collier & Son Company, New York.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The dates of the birth and death of Tacitus are uncertain, but it is
probable that he was born about 54 A. D. and died after 117. He was a
contemporary and friend of the younger Pliny, who addressed to him
some of his most famous epistles. Tacitus was apparently of the
equestrian class, was an advocate by training, and had a reputation as
an orator, though none of his speeches has survived. He held a number
of important public offices, and married the daughter of Agricola, the
conqueror of Britain, whose life he wrote.