Tacitus' Germania 1
Study Guide Questions for Ch. 1-23
If you are looking for the beginning of the study of Tacitus’ Germania then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. If you would like to see the growing list of available book studies available for free on this site you can go HERE. Enjoy!
Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)
Music, Fortitude, Honor, Loyalty, Shame, Family, Freedom vs. Bondage, Justice, Community, Virtue vs. Vice, Hospitality, Indulgence, Vice
Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)
What did Tacitus say had been revealed “in recent times?”
What did the Germani do to “inspire terror” when going into a battle?
Describe the manner of warfare which is employed by the Germani.
What is considered “the supreme disgrace” by the Germani?
According to Tacitus, why do the Germani men not “scorn” the advice of their women?
What source of divination do the Germani make use of that is not common to the Romans?
Describe the way the Germani govern themselves according to Tacitus.
What did Tacitus say was the relationship between “leaders” and “companions?”
How did Tacitus describe the Germani’s architecture and fashion?
What did Tacitus note about the Germani’s view of Marriage and family?
What are the Germani’s feelings about the concept of Hospitality?
What is the Germani process for making decisions on important matters which helps to ensure that they speak their mind freely, but also that they don’t make grave mistakes?
Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)
What kind of factors might have kept various ancient people from knowing of the existence of other peoples and kingdoms?
Tacitus said, “the remote past invites guesswork.” What did he mean by that?
Concerning the Germani Tacitus stated, “The gods have denied them gold and silver - in mercy or in wrath I cannot say.” What did he mean by this?
Why would throwing “away one’s shield” be the peak form of disgrace? What is implied by this action?
What do chapters 7-8 and 18-20 have in common? What do these chapters infer about the Germani people?
Consider chapter 9. Why might the Romans and the Germani, each wishing to honor their gods, come to such different conclusions about how to do so?
If you were to label the governmental system of the Germani as described by Tacitus in Chapter 11, what would you call it? What might be its relative strengths and weaknesses?
Tacitus noted that among the Germani, “No business, public or private, is transacted except under arms.” Why might this be? What is the significance of this?
Tacitus said the Germani “love indolence as much as they hate peace.” What did he mean by this? Why do you think this is the manner in which the Germani behave?
What should be inferred about the Germani from their style of housing and fashion?
Though the Germani were largely the enemies of Rome, why would Tacitus praise certain aspects of their culture (such as their views of marriage and family)?
Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)
Tacitus noted that “in ancient times those who wished to change their habitat travelled by sea and not by land, and the vast Ocean that lies beyond and, so to speak, defies intruders is seldom visited by ships from our world.” What are some examples from history and literature which seem to support Tacitus’ claim about the way in which whole peoples have relocated themselves by means of travelling across the ocean rather than by land? What do you think might be a reason behind this approach to resettlement? Do you think it makes more sense to resettle a people this way or would moving upon land be more prudent? Why?
Tacitus said that the Germani’s “ancient songs” are “their only form of recorded history.” Aside from written histories, why might sung histories be a fairly good way to pass on history? What is it, specifically, about songs which make them particularly good vehicles for memorizing things you don’t want to forget? What are the relative advantages and disadvantages to history being recorded by writing versus being recorded by song? Which do you think is better and why? Regardless of which you think is better, do you think we should still be using both? Why or why not?
Tacitus mentions that when it comes to administering justice among the germani “the punishment varies to suit the crime.” Consider the examples Tacitus gives of them doing this. Do you think varying punishment to fit the crime is a good idea in principle? Why or why not? Do you think the Germani varied their punishments in a good and just way? Why or why not? How do we make sure that a punishment is fitting to a particular crime? What rules should perhaps guide us in thinking through this?
The role of hospitality in Germani culture was clearly that of an inviolable law. Why might hospitality have been so important to them? What is your attitude towards the concept of hospitality as outlined by Tacitus? Regardless of how you feel about it, what do you think we should do concerning hospitality in our own day?
Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)
Read Matthew 19:1-9; Ephesians 5:22-33 and compare the teaching found there with the Germani’s views on marriage. What is similar and what is different? What should we learn from the differences?
Read Psalm 127 and compare it to the Germani’s view of children. Do they agree or disagree? Why?
Tacitus noted “You have only to indulge their intemperance by supplying all that they crave and you will gain as easy a victory through their vices as through your own arms.” Relate this to Proverbs 25:28. How can indulgence make us vulnerable to enemies and other bad things?