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Magical Realism

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Tacitus in His Account of Germania Tacitus’ Germania was a short monograph on German ethnography. It had great historical significance. Tacitus wrote critically of the Germans. He also stressed their simplicity, bravery, honor, fidelity, and other virtues in contrast to corrupt Roman imperial society, fallen from the vigor of the Republic. Tacitus covered many topics when writing this short piece of work. When it came to weapons, few used swords or long lances. They carried a spear, which they called a Framea. It was narrow and short head, but was so sharp and easy to wield that the same weapon serves, for close of distance conflict. “The horse-soldier was satisfied with a shield and spear. The foot-soldiers scattered showers of missiles, each man had several and hurled them to an immense distance. Their shields were marked with very choice colors” (13). A few had corslets, and one or two had metal or leather helmets. “Their horses were remarkable neither for beauty nor for fleetness. Nor were they taught various evolutions after their fashion, but are driven straight forward, or so as to make one wheel to the right in such a compact body that none were left behind another” (14). Their chief strength were in their infantry, and he fights along with the Calvary. The foot soldiers are stationed in front of the line. “The most glaring disgrace that can befall them, is to have quitted their shield” (15). According to punishment, in their councils an accusation may be preferred, or a capital crime prosecuted. Penalties are distinguish according to the offense. “Traitors and deserters are hanged on a tree; the coward, the unwarlike, the men stained with abominable vices, are plunged into the mire of the morass with a hurdle put over them” (25-26). If someone was convicted they was fined in a certain number of horses or of cattle. Half of the fines

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