Germany

especially the S. part, was covered in the time of the Romans by extensive marshes and forests which were inhabited by the elk, the urus, the bear, the wolf, the boar, the wild cat, and the deer. The population was large, however, particularly in the N. and E., the chief indication of which is the number of the armies, or rather of the armed tribes which these districts from time to time sent out, and by which at length the Roman empire was overwhelmed. From language and other indications the Germans are supposed to have migrated from Upper Asia, Pp ing by the Caucasus and the N. of the Caspian and Euxine seas, to Hurope. This immigration must have taken place in non-historical times. There is no mention of it in the national legends and the people considered themselves autochthones, as they were also regarded by the Romans, The ancient Germans bore the greatest resemblance to the Celts. They are described as tall, handsome, fair, with blue eyes, which are said to be fierce in expre ion, and light or red hair, which they rendered bright with a soap which they used as a dye. Both men and women, except slaves, whose hair was cut for distinction, wore the hair long, and red hair which became fashionable among the Roman ladies, was made an article of export. The women are said to have been almost ~ equal in size and strength to the men, The Germans cultivated the land, but some tribes were half nomad, and the chief occupations of all were war and the chase together with the breeding of cattle. The accounts of the religion of the Germans are considerably obscured by the Roman habit of giving their own names to foreign gods. They worshiped Woden or Odin; Thor, the god of Thunder; Freir, the -wife of Woden; Tuisco, the ancestor of their race; Mannus, his son, and other deities, besides the sun, moon, and stars. Their worship was conducted to a great extent in the open air in mcuntains. forests, rocks, and caves. Their priesthood, though they had a distinct caste, seems to have po e ed a patriarchal character. A father was the priest of his family. Each tribe had its peculiar secondary deities, both benevolent and malignant. The — po e ed considerable power. From their religious rites they told the will of the deity in regard to public undertakings, which means that they dictated their own will or the orders of their chief to the people. They presided in the popular a emblies. There were also prieste es who po e ed the gift of prophecy.