美国学生人类历史第51期:古希腊的自治制度(4)

 　　To protect the poorer classes against abuse on the part of the judges (who were always elected from the class of the nobles because they received no salary) Solon made a provision whereby a citizen with a grievance¹ had the right to state his case before a jury of thirty of his fellow Athenians.

　　为保护穷人阶级免遭法官们滥用权力的危害（法官总是从贵族阶级中推选出来，因为他们可以不拿薪水），梭伦特别拟订了一项条款，让利益受损的市民有权向一个由30位雅典公民组成的陪审团申述。

　　Most important of all, Solon forced the average freeman to take a direct and personal interest in the affairs of the city. No longer could he stay at home and say "oh, I am too busy today"or "it is raining and I had better stay indoors." He was expected to do his share; to be at the meeting of the town council; and carry part of the responsibility for the safety and the prosperity of the state. This government by the "demos," the people, was often far from successful. There was too much idle talk. There were too many hateful and spiteful scenes between rivals for official honor. But it taught the Greek people to be independent and to rely upon themselves for their salvation² and that was a very good thing.

　　最重要的是，梭伦通过法律的形式，迫使每一个普通自由 民关住并参与城市的事务。现在，雅典人再不能呆在家里，托辞说，"哦，今天我太忙了。"或者"老天下雨，我最好是别出去。"每一个公民都应该履行其分内的义务，出席市议会的集会，并为城市的繁荣与安全出一份力。在很多时候，这个公民自治的政府效率低下，远远说不上是成功的，有太多的不着边际的空谈充斥其间。为争名夺利，常常发生相互诋毁与中伤的情形。可至少有一点是好的：它教会了希腊人独立自主，依靠自己的力量获得自由 。

1 grievance   

n.怨愤，气恼，委屈

参考例句：

• He will not easily forget his grievance.他不会轻易忘掉他的委屈。
• He had been nursing a grievance against his boss for months.几个月来他对老板一直心怀不满。

2 salvation   

n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困

参考例句：

• Salvation lay in political reform.解救办法在于政治改革。
• Christians hope and pray for salvation.基督教徒希望并祈祷灵魂得救。