[gothic-l] Gothic and Gotlandic Sailing

[Tore Gannholm]

>Tore,
>
>In the latest commentary on _Germania_ (1999) the
>editor believes (p. 313) that Tacitus obeservations
>"must derive from an accurate eye-witness account".
>
>As for the reference to the dealer in amber I know
>nothing and neither is he mentioned in the commentary.
>BTW, from which section of _Germania_ are you quoting?
>I have to correct myself. I was quoting from 44.2, not 44.3.
>
>Gothically
>
>Bertil
>
>It all depends on who the source is. Tacitus' source was the Roman
>Merchant  dealing in ember (Bärnstensriddaren).
>He is said to have visited the most important trading places on the
>Baltic coast which of course includes Gotland which is probably the
>furthest he went as that was the trading center in the Baltic in
>those days. Perhaps the wind was not favorable and they had to use
>paddles.
>
>It is only possible to use a sail when there is a favourable wind.
>
>"Next occur the communities of the Suiones, situated in the ocean
>itself; and besides their strength in men and arms, very powerful at
>sea. The form of their vessels varies thus far from ours, that they
>have prows at each end, so as to be always ready to row to shore
>without turning nor are they moved by sails, nor on their sides have
>benches of oars placed, but the rowers ply here and there in all
>parts of the ship alike, as in some rivers is done, and change their
>oars from place to place, just as they shift their course hither or
>thither. "
>
>What Tacitus describes seems to be a boat where they can quickly land
>, get away and go the other way. Excellent for quick raids. This is
>not a merchant ship.
>
>Haywood mentions this type of boat also.
>

Bertil,

Erland Hjärne wrote about it in his doctoral thesis 
"Bernstensriddaren och Tacitus" 1938. Unfortunately it is in Swedish.
However I have an extract on 
http://w1.855.telia.com/~u85528681/Gothic_l/tacitus_/default.htm

My copy of Germania was translated by Thomas Gordon. My quote above 
is from that translation.
Who translated your copy?

Tore
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