Anglii. The English reader will here recognize the tribe of Germans that subsequently invaded, peopled, and gave name to England (==Angl-land), commonly designated as the Anglo-Saxons. T. does not mention the Saxons. They are mentioned by Ptolemy and others, as originally occupying a territory in this same part of Germany. They became at length so powerful, as to give their name to the entire confederacy (including the Angles), which ruled northern Germany, as the Franks (the founders of the French monarchy) did southern. The Angles seem to have dwelt on the right bank of the Elbe, near its mouth, in the time of T.
Nerthum. This is the reading of the MSS. and the old editions. It cannot be doubted that T. speaks of Hertha (see Turn. His. Ang. Sax., App. to B. 2. chap. 3). "But we must take care not to correct our author himself." Passow. Grimm identifies this deity with Niördhr of the Edda, and derives the name from Nord (North).—Terram matrem. The Earth is worshipped by almost all heathen nations, as the mother of men and the inferior gods. See Mur. in loco. Cf. 2: Tuisconem Deum, terra editum; also note, 9. Isidi.
Insula. Scholars differ as to the Island. Probabilities perhaps are in favor of Rugen, where the secretus lacus mentioned below is still shown, still associated with superstitious legends.
Castum. Polluted by nothing profane. So Hor: castis lucis.
Penetrali, viz. the sacred vehicle.
Dignatur. Deems worthy of her visits.
Templo, sc. the sacred grove. Templum, like [Greek: temenos], denotes any place set apart (from [Greek: temno]) for sacred purposes, cf. 9.
Numen ipsum. The goddess herself, not an image of her; for the Germans have no images of their gods, 9. Abluitur, as if contaminated by intercourse with mortals.
Perituri, etc. Which can be seen only on penalty of death.
XLI. Propior, sc. to the Romans.—Hermundurorum. Ritter identifies the name (Hermun being omitted, and dur being==thur) and the people with the _Thur_ingians. Cf. note 2: Ingaevones.