All things Quote by Tacitus
“The grove is the centre of their whole religion. It is regarded as the cradle of the race and the dwelling-place of the supreme god to whom all things are subject and obedient.”
About This Quote
Source Historical work: Agricola, 1st century Roman history
The grove is sacred, seen as the origin of humanity and the dwelling of the supreme deity, commanding obedience.
In simple terms: Groves are sacred origins of humanity.
Key Takeaway
Respect natural sacred spaces.
Themes
religion
nature
authority
Mood
contemplative
reverent
Type
historical
cultural
When to use this quote
- environmental conservation
- cultural heritage
- spiritual rituals
Key Concepts
Roman historiography
mythic symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What modern places hold similar reverence?
- How does nature shape belief?
A Different Perspective
Modern societies may not view groves similarly.
![“Perhaps the most overpowering contrast [with the West] is the virtual absence in premodern China of the idea of a transcendent creator God who is distinct from Nature in a fundamental qualitative sense. The Chinese had notions of a supreme god in various guises (that is, ‘hypatotheism’), and also…” quote by Mark Elvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/053/mark-elvin-51757_china_perhaps-the-most-overpowering-contrast-w_1625650.jpg)
![“None mourn more ostentatiously than those who most rejoice at it [a death].” quote by Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/36d/tacitus-1552_death_none-mourn-more-ostentatiously-than-thos_13591.jpg)
![“None mourn more ostentatiously over the death of Germanicus than those who most rejoice at it [a death].” quote by Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/192/tacitus-1552_death_none-mourn-more-ostentatiously-over-the_123648.jpg)
