Cornelius Tacitus

The Oxford Translation, Revised with Notes

The Germany and the Agricola of Tacitus

Gavin

De Origine et situ Germanorum
  
 (98) by Publius Tacitus, translated by Lamberto Bozzi (2012). 

Versified well, which makes even the boring bits about ploughs a pleasure. I read this aloud, and me and the audience had a long inconclusive discussion about how many of the claims are likely to be complete bullshit. 

Most interesting were: the prevalence of Greek myths among the Goths, and Tacitus' very early cross-cultural approval of some things. 
For when on chastity a woman cheats 
She finds no mercy among the tribesmen
And cannot come by a husband again
No matter how young and rich and fair
Nobody laughs at these vices there
Or calls corruption a sign of the times.

Better still are the nations in those climes
Where virgins once only marry,
Willing for the right mate to tarry;
They take one husband, one body, one life -
No other thought or longing needs a wife
Who loves more than her man the married state...

Nowhere near as racist as expected!

The Germany and the Agricola of Tacitus The Oxford Translation, Revised with Notes

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