Aztecs 远古的回响 -- Aztecs帝国 4

In this remarkable¹ story we see not only the idea of Teotihuacan as the primordial² origin of the Aztec sun, we also see the participation³ of the gods and their self-sacrifice so that human life can then go on. And this sets up for in the Aztecs the crucial idea about human sacrifice, which was that when they sacrificed themselves they were paying a debt back to the gods who had created the sun for them here in Teotihuacan.

The Aztecs believed that the daily journey of the sun could only continue while it was supported with blood. Human sacrifice on the American continent is most often associated with the Aztecs. But in fact it had been practiced for centuries by previous civilizations, including the builders of Teotihuacan, the Maya and the Toltecs.

And all peoples that are very close to the origins have an enormous fear that the world will end, that once the sun sets it will never appear again, that the forces of nature are extremely powerful and have to be pacified⁴. And one of the ways of pacifying⁵ them traditionally in old peoples is through sacrifice.

In the hostile environment of the valley of Mexico the Aztecs felt at the mercy of the powerful forces of nature. Five hundred years ago the mountains and volcanoes surrounding the valley were clearly visible from the Aztec capital, rare today given Mexico City smog. Here 30 miles outside the city, there's a clear view of what the Aztecs would have seen. The landscape holds vital clues to understanding how the Aztecs believed they could influence the gods. Art historian Dick Thomson was the first to map this area. Aztecs shrines⁶ like this one mark sacred locations. The miniature pyramid steps echoing temple architecture. These were traditionally places to remember the gods of the natural world, to appease⁷ and support them by making offerings of flowers, food, drink or blood.

Offerings have been made in these receptacles and would run down over the face. This boulder⁸ was formally stood upright and formed part of that whole ensemble⁹. And then the ensemble itself really looks towards the great rain producing mountains of the valley of Mexico: Mount Tlaloc, and then more distantly Ixtaccihuatl and Popocatepetl. It's a replication. Here in stone what you see out in the natural setting. So in effect this grouping of rocks forms a kind of miniature world.

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ensemble: n. <法>全体

1 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

2 primordial   

adj.原始的；最初的

参考例句：

• It is the primordial force that propels us forward.它是推动我们前进的原始动力。
• The Neanderthal Man is one of our primordial ancestors.的尼安德特人是我们的原始祖先之一.

3 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

4 pacified   

使（某人）安静( pacify的过去式和过去分词 )； 息怒； 抚慰； 在（有战争的地区、国家等）实现和平

参考例句：

• The baby could not be pacified. 怎么也止不住婴儿的哭声。
• She shrieked again, refusing to be pacified. 她又尖叫了，无法使她平静下来。

5 pacifying   

使（某人）安静( pacify的现在分词 )； 息怒； 抚慰； 在（有战争的地区、国家等）实现和平

参考例句：

• The papers put the emphasis on pacifying rather than suppressing the protesters. 他们强调要安抚抗议者而不是动用武力镇压。
• Hawthorn products have the function of pacifying the stomach and spleen, and promoting digestion. 山楂制品，和中消食。

6 shrines   

圣地，圣坛，神圣场所( shrine的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• All three structures dated to the third century and were tentatively identified as shrines. 这3座建筑都建于3 世纪，并且初步鉴定为神庙。
• Their palaces and their shrines are tombs. 它们的宫殿和神殿成了墓穴。

7 appease   

v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足

参考例句：

• He tried to appease the crying child by giving him candy.他试图给那个啼哭的孩子糖果使他不哭。
• The government tried to appease discontented workers.政府试图安抚不满的工人们。

8 boulder   

n.巨砾；卵石，圆石

参考例句：

• We all heaved together and removed the boulder.大家一齐用劲，把大石头搬开了。
• He stepped clear of the boulder.他从大石头后面走了出来。

9 ensemble   

n.合奏(唱)组；全套服装；整体，总效果

参考例句：

• We should consider the buildings as an ensemble.我们应把那些建筑物视作一个整体。
• It is ensemble music for up to about ten players,with one player to a part.它是最多十人演奏的合奏音乐，每人担任一部分。