纪录片《大英博物馆世界简史》 043沙普尔二世银盘(5)（在线收听）

In killing the wild deer the hunter-king is imposing divine order on demonic chaos.

国王猎杀野鹿，象征着消灭混乱，重归神圣的秩序。

Shapur, acting as agent for the supreme Zoroastrian god of goodness, will defeat the forces of primal evil and so fulfil his central role as king.

沙普尔作为琐罗亚斯特教善神的代言人，将战胜一切恶势力，完成身为国王的重大职责。

Here's Guitty Azarpay, Professor of Asian Art at the University of California:

加州大学伯克利分校的亚洲艺术教授贵提艾莎培教授十分强调国王的双重身份：

"It is both a secular image-because of course hunting was enjoyed by most people, by most nations and especially in Iran-it was also an expression of the Zoroastrian ideology of the time. Man is God's weapon against darkness and evil, and he serves towards the ultimate victory of the creator by following the principle of right measure, leading a life that is prescribed as having good speech, good words and good actions. In this way, the pious Zoroastrian can hope for the best of existence in this life and the best paradise spiritually in the hereafter. The best king is one who, as head of state and guardian of religion, creates justice and order, is a supreme warrior and a heroic hunter."

这是一幅俗世画—狩猎是大部分民众喜欢的消遣，在伊朗尤其盛行—但同时也是当时琐罗亚斯特教思想的表达。人类是神用来战胜黑暗与邪恶的武器,人要遵守教义，一生善言善行，协助造物主赢得最后的胜利。虔诚的琐罗亚斯特教徒因而可以享有圆满的一生，并在死后进入灵魂的乐园。最好的国王不仅是国家的首领，也是宗教的守护者，他维护正义与秩序，是英勇的战士，也是勇猛的猎人。

This dish is quite clearly meant not just to be seen, but to be shown off.

银盘的用途不只是观赏，更是炫耀。

It's an ostentatiously expensive object, made from a heavy single piece of silver, and the figures have been hammered out from the back in high relief.

这件奢侈品由一块整银打造，通过在背面敲打制造出浮雕效果。