]
86 (return)
[ An allusion to the toga virilis of the Romans.
86 (return)
[ An allusion to the toga virilis of the Romans.
Tacitus
The former had kings, the latter chiefs.
Both in kingdoms and republics, military affairs were under the conduct of the generals.
The nations were divided into cantons; each of which was superintended by a chief, or count, who administered justice in it.
The cantons were divided into districts or hundreds, so called because they contained a hundred vills or townships.
In each hundred was a companion, or centenary, chosen from the people, before whom small causes were tried.
Before the count, all causes, as well great as small, were amenable.
The centenaries are called companions by Tacitus, after the custom of the Romans; among whom the titles of honor were, Caesar, the Legatus or Lieutenant of Caesar, and his comites, or companions.
The courts of justice were held in the open air, on a rising ground, beneath the shade of an oak, elm, or some other large tree.
]
84 (return)
[ Even judges were armed on the seat of justice. The Romans, on the contrary, never went armed but when actually engaged in military service. ]
85 (return)
[ These are the rudiments of the famous institution of chivalry. The sons of kings appear to have received arms from foreign princes. Hence, when Audoin, after overcoming the Gepidae, was requested by the Lombards to dine with his son Alboin, his partner in the victory, he refused; for, says he, "you know it is not customary with us for a king's son to dine with his father, until he has received arms from the king of another country. "—Warnefrid, De gestis Langobardorum, i. 23.
]
86 (return)
[ An allusion to the toga virilis of the Romans. The German youth were presented with the shield and spear probably at twelve or fifteen years of age. This early initiation into the business of arms gave them that warlike character for which they were so celebrated. Thus, Seneca (Epist. 46) says, "A native of Germany brandishes, while yet a boy, his slender javelin. " And again (in his book on Anger, i. 11), "Who are braver than the Germans? —who more impetuous in the charge? —who fonder of arms, in the use of which they are born and nourished, which are their only care? —who more inured to hardships, insomuch that for the most part they provide no covering for their bodies, no retreat against the perpetual severity of the climate? "]
87 (return)
[ Hence it seems that these noble lads were deemed principes in rank, yet had their position among the comites only. The German word Gesell is peculiarly appropriated to these comrades in arms. So highly were they esteemed in Germany, that for killing or hurting them a fine was exacted treble to that for other freemen. ]
88 (return)
[ Hence, when Chonodomarus, king of the Alamanni, was taken prisoner by the Romans, "his companions, two hundred in number, and three friends peculiarly attached to him, thinking it infamous to survive their prince, or not to die for him, surrendered themselves to be put in bonds. "—Ammianus Marcellinus, xvi. 13.
84 (return)
[ Even judges were armed on the seat of justice. The Romans, on the contrary, never went armed but when actually engaged in military service. ]
85 (return)
[ These are the rudiments of the famous institution of chivalry. The sons of kings appear to have received arms from foreign princes. Hence, when Audoin, after overcoming the Gepidae, was requested by the Lombards to dine with his son Alboin, his partner in the victory, he refused; for, says he, "you know it is not customary with us for a king's son to dine with his father, until he has received arms from the king of another country. "—Warnefrid, De gestis Langobardorum, i. 23.
]
86 (return)
[ An allusion to the toga virilis of the Romans. The German youth were presented with the shield and spear probably at twelve or fifteen years of age. This early initiation into the business of arms gave them that warlike character for which they were so celebrated. Thus, Seneca (Epist. 46) says, "A native of Germany brandishes, while yet a boy, his slender javelin. " And again (in his book on Anger, i. 11), "Who are braver than the Germans? —who more impetuous in the charge? —who fonder of arms, in the use of which they are born and nourished, which are their only care? —who more inured to hardships, insomuch that for the most part they provide no covering for their bodies, no retreat against the perpetual severity of the climate? "]
87 (return)
[ Hence it seems that these noble lads were deemed principes in rank, yet had their position among the comites only. The German word Gesell is peculiarly appropriated to these comrades in arms. So highly were they esteemed in Germany, that for killing or hurting them a fine was exacted treble to that for other freemen. ]
88 (return)
[ Hence, when Chonodomarus, king of the Alamanni, was taken prisoner by the Romans, "his companions, two hundred in number, and three friends peculiarly attached to him, thinking it infamous to survive their prince, or not to die for him, surrendered themselves to be put in bonds. "—Ammianus Marcellinus, xvi. 13.
