A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

55° The Northern Barbarians
Clothing.
lb. 17.
signs. They often dig caverns under the earth and load
heaps of mud above them; these make a refuge for them
in winter and a storehouse for fruits. In such places as
these they temper the extreme cold; and if an enemy
comes he carries off what he finds in the open, while he
knows nothing of all that is hidden and buried; or else it
escapes just because there is no time to search for it.
They all wear for covering a plaid fastened with a brooch,
or, in default of that, a thorn. Without any other clothing
they spend whole days lying on the hearth before the
fire. The wealthy are distinguished by a garment, which
does not flow loose, as with the Sarmatians and Parthians,
but fits close and shows the shape of each limb. They
also use the skins of wild beasts. Those nearest the Rhine
look comfortable in them, but the people of the interior
wear them with elaborate care, since they are not yet
civilized by commerce. They choose their animal, skin
it, and star the hide with the speckled fur of the beasts
found in the further ocean and the unknown sea. The
women have the same clothing as the men, except that
they more frequently wear linen garments, which they
ornament with purple stripes. The bodice has no sleeves,
and they leave the arms and forearms uncovered. . . .
Their observance of the marriage-tie is very strict, and
there is no point in their manners which deserves greater
praise. Almost alone among barbarians they are content
with one wife, with the exception of a very few. . , .
V. Family and Social Relations
Marriage.
Tac. Germ.
18.
The husband brings a dowry to the wife, not the wife
to the husband. The parents come to the wedding and
inspect the presents. These are not designed to please a
woman's taste, nor can a young bride wear them in her