Final answer:
Tacitus had a negative view of barbarians, particularly the Jewish people, while Ammianus Marcellinus had a more balanced and objective perspective, acknowledging their military capabilities and interactions with the Romans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tacitus, a Roman historian, had a negative overall view of barbarians. He described their customs and practices as different from those of the Romans, and viewed them as primitive and barbaric. He discussed the Jewish people in particular, highlighting their distinct religious practices such as fasting, observing the Sabbath, and abstaining from pork.
In contrast, Ammianus Marcellinus, another Roman historian, had a more nuanced and objective view of barbarians. He recognized their military prowess and acknowledged their role as both enemies and allies of the Roman Empire. He wrote about the Vandals, a Germanic tribe, and their migration westward in the face of the Huns. Marcellinus described their challenges and interactions with the Romans without portraying them solely as savages.
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