5.

The Hercynian Forest2576 is extremely dense, and overgrown with very large trees, covering an immense circuit of country, fortified by nature. In the midst of it is situated the region well suited for habitation, of which we have spoken. Near this forest are the sources of the Danube and the Rhine, and the lake2577 situated between these, together with the marshes formed by the Rhine. The circuit of the lake is more than 3002578 stadia, and the distance across about 200. In this lake is an island which served Tiberius as an arsenal, in the naval war with the Vindelici. This lake is south of the sources of the Danube and the Hercynian Forest, so that in passing from Keltica2579 to the forest, one has first to cross the lake, then the Danube, and afterwards by a more passable country, and over elevated plains, you approach the forest. When Tiberius had proceeded but one day’s journey from the lake, he came in sight of the sources of the Danube.2580

The territory of the Rhæti2581 borders some portion of this lake, but the greater part of the shores belong to the Helvetii2582 [Pg 448]
[CAS. 292] and Vindelici,2583 [the Norici come next after the Vindelici in an easterly direction,]2584 and the desert of the Boii.2585 The nations as far as the Pannonians,2586 but more especially the Helvetii and Vindelici, inhabit high table lands. The Rhæti and the Norici,2587 verging towards Italy, extend over the very summits of the Alps; the former confining with the Insubri,2588 the latter the Carni,2589 and the districts about Aquileia. There is likewise another great forest, named Gabreta, on this side the territory of the Suevi, while beyond them lies the Hercynian Wood, which also is in their possession.