Gallic Customs; chapter 18, Book 6

chapter 18 of Book 6

Latin Text

Galli se omnes ab dite patre prognatos praedicant idque ab druidibus proditum di****. Ob eam causam spatia omnis temporis non numero dierum sed noctium finiunt; dies natales et mensum et annorum initia sic observant ut noctem dies subsequatur. In reliquis vitae institutis hoc fere ab reliquis differunt, quod suos liberos, nisi cum adoleverunt, ut munus militiae sustinere possint, palam ad se adire non patiuntur filiumque puerili aetate in publico in conspectu patris adsistere turpe du****.

Rendition

All Gauls themselves proclaim descent from a Father God, the selfsame character Druid priests reveal in speach. For this reason the lengths of all time are bound not by numbered days but nights; a birthday and the beginning of a month or year are thus noted as days that follow night. Concerning their customs they’ve instituted this nearly distinct element which is dissimilar as far as their childern. Unless when inflamed to suffer military service one can not approach as men don't endure a sons childish years in public, to stand against a father’s fixed eye brings disgrace.

Chapter 19

Latin Text

Viri, quantas pecunias ab uxoribus dotis nomine acceperunt, tantas ex suis bonis aestimatione facta cum dotibus communicant. Huius omnis pecuniae coniunctim ratio habetur fructusque servantur: uter eorum vita superarit, ad eum pars utriusque cum fructibus superiorum temporum pervenit. Viri in uxores, sicuti in liberos, vitae necisque habent potestatem; et cum paterfamiliae illustriore loco natus decessit, eius propinqui conveniunt et, de morte si res in suspicionem venit, de uxoribus in servilem modum quaestionem habent et, si compertum est, igni atque omnibus tormentis excruciatas interficiunt. Funera sunt pro cultu Gallorum magnifica et sumptuosa; omniaque quae vivis cordi fuisse arbitrantur in ignem inferunt, etiam animalia, ac paulo supra hanc memoriam servi et clientes, quos ab eis dilectos esse constabat, iustis funeribus confectis una cremabantur.

Rendering

How ever much property an adult male accepts of a wife’s designated dowry, of the marriage portion’s accurate estimated worth he provides as large a share. Alltogether with reckoned profit this sum is kept from harm until from either, their life transcends. To the other goes the portions’ of both shares and increased profits acquired at such time.

Adult males, their wives and children are unequal in life; as over all men hold the power of death. However if a wife is born of a father’s family that holds an illustrious rank this clause abates as likewise both are near-equals. If the deed of death is exceptionally suspicious an unequal wife is treated as a servile and investigated similarly. In as much as to ascertain the truth, fire as well as every torment and torture are brought to bear.

Funerals for the Gallic culture are magnificent and sumptuous: Everyone whose heart beats life comes to testify, now into the flame and a bit above the remembered deceased they bring animals altogether with slaves and clients, these distinctly prized in life; steadfast honorable funeral rites make ready one to be consumed by fire.

chapter 24

Alltogether in the past, with vigor the Gauls rose above the Germans, to whom they brought war, this because their people grew-great in number and for the want of fertile land; they sent settlers across the Rhine Valley. They went to the most fuitful lands in Germany, which are located around the Hercynian Forest, whom Eratosthenes a certain Greek hear of, witnessed, and recorded, while others call this place Orcynia. Thus the Volcae Tectosages sized and settled there, which in those days was a race that held higher the law and was pronounced preeminent in war. Now as Germans they continue to suffer want and necessity, the same life as the greater cultural body enjoys. However, the Gauls proximity to our Province and much celebrated shipping enterprises, as well as preoccupation with ample and lavish trade, they by degree grew accustomed and many have transented the life of combat and with others never compare strength.