The apparently controversial remark is in the commentary. Tacitus (Germania 1,16) merely says that the Germanic tribesmen, barbarians they are, do not live in t

The apparently controversial remark is in the commentary. Tacitus (Germania 1,16) merely says that the Germanic tribesmen, barbarians they are, do not live in towns but each family in their cleared patch of forest. The commentary expands on that, saying that that statement doesn't need much elaboration, humans do not belong in the forest.