1Now we must speak of the Suebi, who are not a single people like the Chatti or the Tencteri; 1for they occupy the greater part of Germany, still divided into their own tribes and names, although in general they are called Suebi. 2The mark of the race is to comb the hair sideways and tie it up in a knot: so the Suebi are distinguished from the other Germans, so the freeborn of the Suebi from the slaves. 3In other peoples, whether from some kinship with the Suebi or, as more often happens, from imitation, it is rare and confined to the period of youth: among the Suebi, right up to grey old age, the bristling hair is twisted back and often tied on the very crown of the head.
4The chiefs have it even more elaborately dressed: such is their care for appearance, but it is harmless; 4for it is not in order to love or be loved, but to gain a certain height and inspire terror when about to go to war, that they adorn themselves, dressed as if for the eyes of the enemy.