世界小史 第79期:当地居民

 Let us now take a closer look at two of Greece's most important cities: Sparta and Athens.

现在让我们仔细看看希腊两个最重要的城市：斯巴达和雅典。

We already know something about the Spartans²: they were Dorians, who, when they arrived in Greece, in around 1,100 BC,

我们已经了解了一些关于斯巴达人的事：他们是多里安人，他们在公元前1100年来到希腊，

enslaved the former inhabitants and put them to work on the land.

征服了当地居民并让他们在田地上劳作。

But the slaves outnumbered their masters,

但是这些奴仆们在数量上比他们的主人斯巴达人多，

and the danger of rebellion meant that the Spartans had to be constantly on the alert lest they find themselves homeless again.

所以斯巴达人必须经常留心以免他们又无家可归。

They only had one aim in life: to be fighting fit, ready to crush any uprising by their slaves, and to protect themselves from the surrounding peoples still at liberty.

他们只有一个生活目标：为战斗而变强壮，准备镇压他们奴仆发动的任何起义，提防四周尚还自由的各民族。

And they really did think of nothing else. Their lawgiver, Lycurgus, had already seen to that.

他们也确实心无旁骛。他们的立法家利库尔戈斯就已经注意到这件事。

A Spartan¹ baby that appeared weak, and unlikely to grow up to be a warrior³, was killed at birth.

如果一个斯巴达人的孩子出生，孩子看上去身体虚弱，将来服不了兵役，那么人们就迅速处死这个孩子。

A strong infant had to be made stronger.

一个强壮的孩子就必须越长越强壮。

From a very young age he must train from dawn till dusk, learn to endure pain, hunger and cold, must eat poorly and be denied all pleasure.

从很小的时候他必须从早到晚训练，学会忍受痛苦、饥饿和寒冷，吃劣等的饮食，不可以从事任何消遣娱乐活动。

1 spartan   

adj.简朴的，刻苦的；n.斯巴达；斯巴达式的人

参考例句：

• Their spartan lifestyle prohibits a fridge or a phone.他们不使用冰箱和电话，过着简朴的生活。
• The rooms were spartan and undecorated.房间没有装饰，极为简陋。

2 spartans   

n.斯巴达（spartan的复数形式）

参考例句：

• The ancient Spartans used to expose babies that they did not want. 古斯巴达人常遗弃他们不要的婴儿。
• But one by one the Spartans fell. 可是斯巴达人一个一个地倒下了。

3 warrior   

n.勇士，武士，斗士

参考例句：

• The young man is a bold warrior.这个年轻人是个很英勇的武士。
• A true warrior values glory and honor above life.一个真正的勇士珍视荣誉胜过生命。