The Lost Continent 遗失的大陆-3

Connected to the ocean by an immense canal a hundred feet deep and several miles long, at the very center of the city was the dazzling citadel¹ of Atlantis, which housed the most spectacular treasures that ever graced the earth.

"They had such an amount of wealth as was never before possessed² by kings and is not likely ever to be again." Plato tells us that for long ages the Atlanteans lived at peace with the rest of the world on their beautiful island paradise. Unspoiled by their material possessions and great wealth, they were concerned only with learning, cultivating virtue³ and living in harmony with nature.

Yet finally this golden age passed, then the Atlanteans became like other mortals. Human nature got the upper hand, they became tainted⁴ with unrighteous ambition and power. Insatiable for wealth and glory, the Atlanteans pushed forward the bounds of their empire, enslaving all before them. Finally only one city stood between Atlantis and world domination--Athens. But here at the hands of the Athenians, the armies of Atlantis suffered a crushing defeat for the first time, a defeat that was swiftly followed by a natural disaster that laid waste to most of the world, completely destroying the islands of Atlantis. Violent earthquakes and floods, and in a single day and night of misfortune, the Island of Atlantis disappeared in the depth of the sea.

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citadel: n. 大本营，堡垒，要塞
grace: v. 增色，增光
mortal: n. 凡人
unrighteous: adj. 邪恶的，不公正的
insatiable: adj. 贪得无厌的
enslave: v. 奴役

1 citadel   

n.城堡；堡垒；避难所

参考例句：

• The citadel was solid.城堡是坚固的。
• This citadel is built on high ground for protecting the city.这座城堡建于高处是为保护城市。

2 possessed   

adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的

参考例句：

• He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
• He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。

3 virtue   

n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力

参考例句：

• He was considered to be a paragon of virtue.他被认为是品德尽善尽美的典范。
• You need to decorate your mind with virtue.你应该用德行美化心灵。

4 tainted   

adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏

参考例句：

• The administration was tainted with scandal. 丑闻使得政府声名狼藉。
• He was considered tainted by association with the corrupt regime. 他因与腐败政府有牵连而名誉受损。 来自《简明英汉词典》