Book 7
1.4
The Rhine is distant from the Elbe about 3000 stadia, if one could travel in a direct line; but we are compelled to go a circuitous route, on account of the windings of the marshes and the woods.
1.5
The Hercynian ForestSchwartz Wald, or Black Forest. 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 lakeThe Lake Constance. situated between these, together with the marshes formed by the Rhine. The circuit of the lake is more than 300Strabo could hardly have intended 300, since the diameter of the lake is given at 200. Velser conjectures that 500 or 600 would be the proper reading. Its exact circumference is about 550 stadia. 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 KelticaGossellin considers that by Keltica we are to understand Cisalpine Gaul, and the neighbourhood of Milan and Mantua. 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.Gossellin says that the sources of the Danube are about 14 leagues distant from the western extremity of the Lake Constance.
