纪录片《大英博物馆世界简史》 043沙普尔二世银盘(6)

The different surface textures¹ have been beautifully rendered by the craftsman,who's chosen different kinds of stippling² for the flesh of the animal and the clothing of the King. And the key elements of the scene-the King's crown and clothing,the heads,tails and hooves of the stags,are highlighted in gold. When this was displayed in the flickering³ candlelight of a banquet,the gold would have animated⁴ the scene and focussed attention on the central conflict between the King and the beast. This is how Shapur wanted himself to be seen,and his kingdom to be understood. And silver dishes like this one were used by the Sasanian kings in vast quantities,sent as diplomatic gifts across the whole of Asia.

图画中的细节被工匠表现得栩栩如生，他运用不同的手法打造出动物肌肉与国王服饰。图中的重点，即国王的王冠、服饰，鹿的头、尾和蹄都用黄金装饰。当银盘出现在烛光摇曳的宴会上时，黄金将为图画增添生气，让大家把注意力集中在国王与野兽的冲突上。这就是沙普尔想展现给人民的形象，他也希望别国如此理解他的国家。萨珊国王曾大量铸造这样的银盘，作为外交礼物送往亚洲各地。

As well as sending silver dishes with symbolic⁵ images,Shapur also sent Zoroastrian missionaries⁶. It was an identification of the faith with the state that was ultimately to prove very dangerous,especially after the Sasanian Dynasty was swept away and Iran was conquered by the armies of Islam. Here's the historian Tom Holland again:

除了送出具有象征意义的银盘外，沙普尔还派出了琐罗亚斯特教的传教士。这种与政权紧密结合的方式最终被证明十分危险，尤其是当萨珊王朝倒台、伊朗被伊斯兰军队占领之后。汤姆·霍兰德解释道：

"Well Zoroastrianism has really pinned its colours to the Sasanian mast. It has defined itself through the Empire and through the monarchy⁷. And so when those collapse,Zoroastrianism is really crippled. And although over time it is accepted that Zoroastrianism should be tolerated,Islam never affords it the measure of respect that they give to Christians⁹ or to Jews. A further problem is that Christians of course,even those that have been conquered by Muslims,can look to independent Christian⁸ empires,independent Christian kingdoms,and know that there is such a thing as Christendom still in existence.

琐罗亚斯特教与萨珊王朝被紧紧地绑在了一起。它通过帝国与君主来给自己定位。因而当帝国崩塌后，琐罗亚斯特教也元气大伤。虽然最终这一信仰被保留了下来，但伊斯兰教从来没给过他们与基督徒或犹太教相同的尊重。更大的一个问题是，基督徒们就算自己的国家被穆斯林攻占，总还能找到独立的基督帝国或王国，他们知道总会有这样的地方存在。

1 textures   

n.手感( texture的名词复数 )；质感；口感；（音乐或文学的）谐和统一感

参考例句：

• I'm crazy about fabrics textures and colors and designs. 我喜欢各式各样的纺织物--对它的质地，色彩到花纹图案--简直是入了迷。 来自辞典例句
• Let me clear up the point about the textures. 让我明确了一点有关的纹理。 来自互联网

2 stippling   

n.点刻法，点画v.加点、绘斑，加粒( stipple的现在分词 )；（把油漆、水泥等的表面）弄粗糙

参考例句：

• Texture a printing plate By lining and stippling it. 通过线画与点描使印花被具有吸引人的表面。 来自互联网
• Dodge: Used for adding highlights, lightening areas and for stippling. 减淡工具：用于增加高光点，给局部加光和点画。 来自互联网

3 flickering   

adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的

参考例句：

• The crisp autumn wind is flickering away. 清爽的秋风正在吹拂。
• The lights keep flickering. 灯光忽明忽暗。

4 animated   

adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的

参考例句：

• His observations gave rise to an animated and lively discussion.他的言论引起了一场气氛热烈而活跃的讨论。
• We had an animated discussion over current events last evening.昨天晚上我们热烈地讨论时事。

5 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

6 missionaries   

n.传教士( missionary的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Some missionaries came from England in the Qing Dynasty. 清朝时，从英国来了一些传教士。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The missionaries rebuked the natives for worshipping images. 传教士指责当地人崇拜偶像。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

7 monarchy   

n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国

参考例句：

• The monarchy in England plays an important role in British culture.英格兰的君主政体在英国文化中起重要作用。
• The power of the monarchy in Britain today is more symbolical than real.今日英国君主的权力多为象徵性的，无甚实际意义。

8 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

9 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。