---
title: "Gallic War — Book VI"
author: "Julius Caesar"
translator: "W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 21 of 44
url: https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-vi/21/
cite: "Julius Caesar, tr. W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn, Gallic War — Book VI, section 21. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-vi/21/"
---

# Gallic War — Book VI

*Julius Caesar, tr. W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn*

## 21. Book VI — Chapter 21

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-vi/21/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-vi/21/#p-N

[¶0] The Germans differ much from these usages, for they have neither Druids to preside over sacred offices, nor do they pay great regard to sacrifices.

> Latin: Germani multum ab hac consuetudine differunt. Nam neque druides habent, qui rebus divinis praesint, neque sacrificiis student.

[¶1] They rank in the number of the gods those alone whom they behold, and by whose instrumentality they are obviously benefited, namely, the sun, fire, and the moon; they have not heard of the other deities even by report.

> Latin: Deorum numero eos solos ducunt, quos cernunt et quorum aperte opibus iuvantur, Solem et Vulcanum et Lunam, reliquos ne fama quidem acceperunt.

[¶2] Their whole life is occupied in hunting and in the pursuits of the military art; from childhood they devote themselves to fatigue and hardships. Those who have remained chaste for the longest time, receive the greatest commendation among their people;

> Latin: Vita omnis in venationibus atque in studiis rei militaris consistit: ab parvulis labori ac duritiae student. Qui diutissime impuberes permanserunt,

[¶3] they think that by this the growth is promoted, by this the physical powers are increased and the sinews are strengthened.

> Latin: maximam inter suos ferunt laudem: hoc ali staturam, ali vires nervosque confirmari putant.

[¶4] And to have had knowledge of a woman before the twentieth year they reckon among the most disgraceful acts; of which matter there is no concealment, because they bathe promiscuously in the rivers and [only] use skins or small cloaks of deer's hides, a large portion of the body being in consequence naked.

> Latin: Intra annum vero vicesimum feminae notitiam habuisse in turpissimis habent rebus; cuius rei nulla est occultatio, quod et promiscue in fluminibus perluuntur et pellibus aut parvis renonum tegimentis utuntur magna corporis parte nuda.