Germania Apart from Rome While reading Germania by Tacitus, the reader will notice that Tacitus had a specific way of distinguishing the difference between the Romans and the Germans. He mentions physical appearance, clothing, food, gods, and many other attributes that are believed to make Germans very set apart from the Romans. Tacitus mentions the Germans having all similar physical appearances such as red hair, and blue eyes with husky bodies and unadaptable over-heating temperatures. Comparing this to the Romans, they were shorter with brown hair. Physical traits of a individual helped separate the Romans and the Germans. Another way Tacitus writes comparing the Romans and the Germans is the clothing they wear on a daily basis. The common view of a Roman is a toga or a white cloth rapped around the body. A clothing worn by more wealthy Romans was a tunic, or a long shirt worn under a toga. This dress was uncommon for the Germans. The Germans wore the skin of animals, but not from buying from a market. The Germans would skin an animal themselves to receive the clothing they wanted. The Germans were seen as barbarians to the Romans, partly because of the animals’ skin used a garments. …show more content…
As we discussed in class, Romans were known for their production of wine. Germans were unable to make wine because of the climate differences in locations, so the Germans brewed beer instead. This was also seen as barbaric to the Romans. Tacitus mentions how the German’s didn’t prepare their food in an extravagant way, like the Romans did. Germans simply ate fruits, cheese, and protein that were to no luxury as the Romans. A Roman citizen would eat barley and olive oil and a wealthy Roman noble would eat beef, pork, and many other