How Art Made The World 说服的艺术 -15

This is the Vatican City, not only the center of the Catholic Church, but also home to one of the greatest collections of Roman art anywhere in the world. And within that collection, one piece is outstanding, as the most complete example of how Augustus used art as a political tool. It was a very subtle work of art. Something that would eventually help bring peace to Rome. But its success would have sinister¹ consequences.

And here he is. I think even if you knew nothing about Augustus, you'd instinctively² recognize this as a powerful image of authority. But this was also the image Augustus finally used to win over the Republicans, for here he meets their fears head on. At first sight, it seems to show him as a powerful general. But look again, although he is wearing a military breastplate, this isn't a man who's going to war. If this were just a military statue, the outstretched arm would be brandishing⁴ a spear, but here it's more like a gesture of greeting. You'd expect military boots on the feet, but here they are bare, more like a sign of humility⁵ than power.

This is the ultimate in political art, an image of supremacy⁶, but also reassured⁷ those who opposed it. With this statue, Augustus found a way of making military power attractive to those who feared it most, the Republicans. But that wasn't all, emblazoned across the center of his breastplate, was a scene that was designed to quell⁸ any lingering doubts.

breastplate: n.胸甲
brandish³: vt. 挥舞
emblazon: vt. 装饰，颂扬。

1 sinister   

adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的

参考例句：

• There is something sinister at the back of that series of crimes.在这一系列罪行背后有险恶的阴谋。
• Their proposals are all worthless and designed out of sinister motives.他们的建议不仅一钱不值，而且包藏祸心。

2 instinctively   

adv.本能地

参考例句：

• As he leaned towards her she instinctively recoiled. 他向她靠近，她本能地往后缩。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He knew instinctively where he would find her. 他本能地知道在哪儿能找到她。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 brandish   

v.挥舞，挥动；n.挥动，挥舞

参考例句：

• She answered with a brandish of her umbrella.她挥动着伞回答。
• Come on together! Brandish the florid youth together!一起舞动绚丽的青春吧！

4 brandishing   

v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀

参考例句：

• The horseman came up to Robin Hood, brandishing his sword. 那个骑士挥舞着剑，来到罗宾汉面前。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He appeared in the lounge brandishing a knife. 他挥舞着一把小刀，出现在休息室里。 来自辞典例句

5 humility   

n.谦逊，谦恭

参考例句：

• Humility often gains more than pride.谦逊往往比骄傲收益更多。
• His voice was still soft and filled with specious humility.他的声音还是那么温和，甚至有点谦卑。

6 supremacy   

n.至上；至高权力

参考例句：

• No one could challenge her supremacy in gymnastics.她是最优秀的体操运动员，无人能胜过她。
• Theoretically,she holds supremacy as the head of the state.从理论上说，她作为国家的最高元首拥有至高无上的权力。

7 reassured   

adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• The captain's confidence during the storm reassured the passengers. 在风暴中船长的信念使旅客们恢复了信心。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• The doctor reassured the old lady. 医生叫那位老妇人放心。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 quell   

v.压制，平息，减轻

参考例句：

• Soldiers were sent in to quell the riots.士兵们被派去平息骚乱。
• The armed force had to be called out to quell violence.不得不出动军队来镇压暴力行动。