The German people in the time of Tacitus was already a force to be reckoned with in Europe. We know to our cost that it has not ceased to be so to-day. Has Tacitus fairly characterized the Germans of his time? And do their characteristics live on in the Germany of ours?

Mattingly, H. "Tacitus on Britain and Germany: A Translation of The 'Agricola' and The 'Germania'," Introduction. Harmondsworth: Penguin. 1948. p 27.