世界小史 第153期:作战

 War was their favorite pastime.

作战是他们得心应手的事。

After each victory they returned in triumph to Rome, led by their generals, with all their captives and their loot.

如果他们又一次打了胜仗，他们便在其统帅率领下，带着全部俘虏和战利品，列队进入罗马。

To the sound of trumpets¹ they would march past the cheering crowds, through gates of honor and triumphal arches.

他们就这样在欢快的号角声中接受群众的欢呼，穿过光荣门和凯旋门。

Above their heads they held pictures and placards, like billboards² to advertise their victories.

他们扛着画像和牌子，它们像标语牌那样显示着他们所取得的胜利。

The general would stand tall in his chariot, a crown of laurel on his head and wearing the sacred cape³ worn by the statue of Jupiter, God of Gods, in his temple.

统帅身披绣着星星的紫袍站在他们的战车上，头戴桂冠，身穿主神朱庇特的神庙像所穿的神圣衣裳。

Like a second Jupiter, he would climb the steep path to the Capitol, the citadel⁴ of Rome.

就这样，他作为第二个朱庇特顺着陡的道路向上朝着罗马城塞上的神庙朝着卡比托尔堡驶去。

And there in the temple, high above the city, he would make his solemn sacrifice of thanksgiving to God,

就在他在上面隆重地向神做感恩祭祀的时候，

while below him the leaders of the vanquished⁵ were put to death.

被战胜的敌军首领们在下面一一被处死。

A general who had many such victories, with plenty of booty for his troops and land for them to cultivate when they grew old and were retired⁶ from service,

谁经常作为战胜敌人的统帅这样凯旋，谁使他的军队获得许多战利品并给他们田产，那么一旦他年老退休，

was loved by his men like a father.

士兵们便会像敬奉他们自己的父亲那样敬奉他。

1 trumpets   

喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花

参考例句：

• A wreath was laid on the monument to a fanfare of trumpets. 在响亮的号角声中花圈被献在纪念碑前。
• A fanfare of trumpets heralded the arrival of the King. 嘹亮的小号声宣告了国王驾到。

2 billboards   

n.广告牌( billboard的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Large billboards have disfigured the scenery. 大型告示板已破坏了景色。 来自辞典例句
• Then, put the logo in magazines and on billboards without telling anyone what it means. 接着我们把这个商标刊在杂志和广告看板上，却不跟任何人透漏它的涵意。 来自常春藤生活英语杂志-2006年4月号

3 cape   

n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风

参考例句：

• I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
• She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。

4 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。

5 vanquished   

v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制

参考例句：

• She had fought many battles, vanquished many foes. 她身经百战，挫败过很多对手。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I vanquished her coldness with my assiduity. 我对她关心照顾从而消除了她的冷淡。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

6 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。