奥运知识—奥林匹亚:比赛也敬神的古代运动场

Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, is in the western part of the Peloponnese which, according to Greek mythology¹, is the island of Pelops", the founder² of the Olympic Games. Imposing³ temples, votive buildings, elaborate shrines⁴ and ancient sporting facilities were combined in a site of unique natural and mystical beauty.

Olympia functioned as a meeting place for worship and other religious and political practices as early as the 10th century B.C. The central part of Olympia was dominated by the majestic⁵ temple of Zeus, with the temple of Hera parallel to it.

The ancient stadium in Olympia could accommodate more than 40,000 spectators, while in the surrounding area there were auxiliary⁶ buildings which developed gradually up until the 4th century B.C. and were used as training sites for the athletes or to house the judges of the Games.

重点词汇

Olympia  n. 奥林匹亚，希腊半岛西部的平原，古代奥林匹克运动场
Peloponnese  n. 伯罗奔尼撒半岛（希腊南部）

site  n. 地址，场所，遗址	mythology  n. 神话
Pelops  n. （希腊神话）珀罗普斯	votive  a. 奉献的
elaborate  a. 精心制作的	shrine  n.  神殿, 神祠, 圣地
Zeus  n. （希腊神话）宙斯	Hera  n. （希腊神话）赫拉
auxiliary  a. 辅助的, 补助的	stadium  n. 露天大型运动场
worship  n. 崇拜, 礼拜，敬神	spectator  n. （比赛或表演的）观众

1 mythology   

n.神话，神话学，神话集

参考例句：

• In Greek mythology,Zeus was the ruler of Gods and men.在希腊神话中，宙斯是众神和人类的统治者。
• He is the hero of Greek mythology.他是希腊民间传说中的英雄。

2 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

3 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。

4 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。

5 majestic   

adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的

参考例句：

• In the distance rose the majestic Alps.远处耸立着雄伟的阿尔卑斯山。
• He looks majestic in uniform.他穿上军装显得很威风。

6 auxiliary   

adj.辅助的，备用的

参考例句：

• I work in an auxiliary unit.我在一家附属单位工作。
• The hospital has an auxiliary power system in case of blackout.这家医院装有备用发电系统以防灯火管制。