就这样他逐渐获得了最高统治权并自公元前444年起——这个数字像它所表明的时代一样美,

he was, in effect, the city's sole ruler.

他实际上单独领导了这个国家。

His chief concern was that Athens should maintain its power at sea,

他认为最重要的是雅典应保持海上力量，

and this he achieved through alliances with other Ionian cities who paid Athens for its protection.

通过与别的伊安尼尔人的城邦结盟，他成功地做到了这一点，那些城邦也因雅典的保护，给雅典纳税。

In this way the Athenians grew rich and could at last afford to make use of their great gifts.

这样，雅典人就富了起来，就能够开始凭他们的才干做一番大事业了。

And now I can hear you asking: But what exactly did they do that was so great? And I can only say "everything".

但现在我会听到你问：但雅典人做出了什么了不起的事了？我只能说“一切”，什么了不起的事雅典人都做了。

But two things interested them most and these were truth and beauty.

但是他们对两个方面：真和美，尤其感兴趣。

Their assemblies had taught the Athenians how to discuss all matters openly, with arguments for and against.

雅典人在他们的公民大会上学会了公开谈论一切事务，发表同意或不同意的意见。

This was good training in learning how to think.

这对学会思考是件好事。

Soon they were using arguments and counter-arguments, not just when they were debating everyday matters like whether or not to increase taxation,

不久他们就不仅对像增税是否必要这样的日常事务寻求同意的和反对的意见，

but in discussions about the whole of nature.

他们还研究整个自然。