VOA慢速英语--考古人员在庞贝古城发现珍贵壁画“丽达与天鹅”

'Leda and the Swan' Painting Found in Ancient Pompeii

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Scientists have uncovered a sensual drawing on a wall in the ruins of ancient Pompeii.

The fresco¹ represents the myth of Leda and the Swan. In the story, the Roman god Jupiter, takes the form of the bird, the swan. It has sex with the mortal girl Leda, who becomes pregnant.

The painting shows a naked Leda seated with the Swan on top of her.

Leda and the Swan was a common subject of artwork in the ancient Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Both were destroyed by the volcanic² burst of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79.

Famous artists have drawn³ representations of Leda and the Swan throughout history, including Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Irish poet W.B. Yeats wrote a poem about the story, as well.

Experts say this recently discovered image of Leda and the Swan is special.

Massimo Osanna is the director of the Pompeii archaeological park. He praised the fresco as exceptional because Leda appears to be looking out from the picture. Osanna told the Italian news agency ANSA, “Leda watches the spectator with a sensuality that’s absolutely pronounced.”

The fresco was found inside a costly⁴ domus, or home, which stood near the center of town. Archaeologists discovered the still-colorful work of art last week during a dig aimed at protecting the ancient city’s structures. Heavy rainfall and usual wear-and-tear have caused some ruins to collapse⁵.

Ossana said the home’s owner may have been a rich trader. The owner may have wanted to make people believe he was cultured with his choice of myth-related frescoes⁶.

Because of safety concerns, the still-undug parts of the home where the fresco was found will likely remain that way, ANSA reported. Archaeologists are still considering removing the fresco, as well as another fresco discovered in the home earlier this year, to a place where “they can be protected and shown to the public,” Osanna said.

The Pompeii archaeological park is one of Italy’s top tourist sites. About 2.5 million people visit each year.

And that’s What’s Trending Today…

I'm Ashley Thompson.

Words in This Story

fresco - n. a painting that is done on wet plaster

myth - n. an idea or story that is believed by many people but that is not true

archaeological - adj. related to archaeology⁷, the science that deals with past human life and activities by studying the bones, tools, etc., of ancient people

spectator - n. a person who watches an event, show, game, activity, etc., often as part of an audience

absolutely - adv. in an absolute way: completely or totally

tourist - n. a person who travels to a place for pleasure

1 fresco   

n.壁画；vt.作壁画于

参考例句：

• This huge fresco is extremely clear and just like nature itself.It is very harmonious.这一巨幅壁画，清晰有致且又浑然天成，十分和谐。
• So it is quite necessary to study the influence of visual thinking over fresco.因此，研究视觉思维对壁画的影响和作用是十分必要的。

2 volcanic   

adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的

参考例句：

• There have been several volcanic eruptions this year.今年火山爆发了好几次。
• Volcanic activity has created thermal springs and boiling mud pools.火山活动产生了温泉和沸腾的泥浆池。

3 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

4 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

5 collapse   

vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• The engineer made a complete diagnosis of the bridge's collapse.工程师对桥的倒塌做了一次彻底的调查分析。

6 frescoes   

n.壁画( fresco的名词复数 )；温壁画技法，湿壁画

参考例句：

• The Dunhuang frescoes are gems of ancient Chinese art. 敦煌壁画是我国古代艺术中的瑰宝。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The frescoes in these churches are magnificent. 这些教堂里的壁画富丽堂皇。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 archaeology   

n.考古学

参考例句：

• She teaches archaeology at the university.她在大学里教考古学。
• He displayed interest in archaeology.他对考古学有兴趣。