美国学生人类历史第61期:抗击波斯人侵的战争(1)

 　　Chapter 18

　　第十八章

　　The Persian Wars

　　抗击波斯人侵的战争

　　How the Greeks defended Europe Against Asiatic invasion and drove the Persians back across the Aegean Sea

　　希腊人成功抵御了亚洲对欧洲的入侵，将波斯人赶回了爱琴海对岸

　　The Greeks had learned the art of trading from the Aegeans who had been the pupils of the Phoenicians. They had founded colonies after the Phoenician pattern. They had even improved upon the Phoenician methods by a more general use of money in dealing¹ with foreign customers. In the sixth century before our era they had established themselves firmly along the coast of Asia Minor² and they were taking away trade from the Phoenicians at a fast rate. This the Phoenicians of course did not like but they were not strong enough to risk a war with their Greek competitors. They sat and waited nor did they wait in vain.

　　爱琴海人是职业商人腓尼基人的学生，之后希腊人从爱琴海人那里学会了贸易之道。他们模仿腓尼基人的模式，建起许多殖民地，并广泛使用货币与外国客商交易，成效大大超越了腓尼基人。到公元前6世纪，他们已牢牢控制了小亚细亚沿岸，凭借更高的效率他们夺走了腓尼基人的大部分生意。当然，腓尼基人对希腊人的后来居上怀恨在心，不过他们的实力还不够对希腊人发动一场战争。他们不愿冒险，只是将仇恨悄悄理在心里，等待着报复的机会来临。

　　In a former chapter, I have told you how a humble³ tribe of Persian shepherds had suddenly gone upon the warpath and had conquered the greater part of western Asia. The Persians were too civilised to plunder⁴ their new subjects. They contented⁵ themselves with a yearly tribute. When they reached the coast of Asia Minor they insisted that the Greek colonies of Lydia recognize the Persian Kings as their over-Lords and pay them a stipulated⁶ tax. The Greek colonies objected. The Persians insisted. Then the Greek colonies appealed to the home-country and the stage was set for a quarrel.

　　在前面的章节里，我已经给你们讲述过波斯帝国崛起的故事。一个来自波斯的默默无闻的游牧部落踏上了四处征伐的路途，他们在短时间内攫取了西亚大部分土地。这些波斯人态度彬彬有礼，做事方式还算文明。他们并不劫掠归顺他们的臣民，只要这些臣民每年进贡一定的赋税就心满意足了。当波斯人挺进到小亚细亚海岸时，他们坚持要求自底亚地区的希腊殖民地承认波斯国王是他们至高无上的主人，并按国王规定的数额缴税。这些希腊殖民地拒绝了波斯人的无礼要求，并向爱琴海对岸的祖国求救。战争的大幕就此徐徐拉开。

　　For if the truth be told, the Persian Kings regarded the Greek citystates as very dangerous political institutions and bad examples for all other people who were supposed to be the patient slaves of the mighty⁷ Persian Kings.

　　如果史书记载得没错，历任的波斯国王一直将希腊的城邦制视为心腹大患。但归顺波斯帝国的诸多民族很可能以这种制度为榜样，以至于反抗波斯的统治。因此，波斯人认为，这种危险的政治制度必须被消灭，让波斯帝国的威严旗帜飘扬在希腊的上空。

1 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

2 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。

3 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

4 plunder   

vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠

参考例句：

• The thieves hid their plunder in the cave.贼把赃物藏在山洞里。
• Trade should not serve as a means of economic plunder.贸易不应当成为经济掠夺的手段。

5 contented   

adj.满意的，安心的，知足的

参考例句：

• He won't be contented until he's upset everyone in the office.不把办公室里的每个人弄得心烦意乱他就不会满足。
• The people are making a good living and are contented,each in his station.人民安居乐业。

6 stipulated   

vt.& vi.规定；约定adj.[法]合同规定的

参考例句：

• A delivery date is stipulated in the contract. 合同中规定了交货日期。
• Yes, I think that's what we stipulated. 对呀，我想那是我们所订定的。 来自辞典例句

7 mighty   

adj.强有力的；巨大的

参考例句：

• A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
• The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。