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The Seven Wonders of the World 世界七大奇景
Nebuchadnezzar II (604-562 BC), the best-known ruler of Babylon, is credited with gracing a Babylonian palace with gardens that enchanted soldiers and spectators of the time. Even though the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are on the list of the Seven Wonders of the World, little information exists on the specifics of these gardens. Archeologists have even debated their precise location. Those who had provided information about the gardens never actually saw them with their own eyes. Their writings were based solely on the stories of soldiers and other travelers. Nonetheless, it is believed that viewers had to look straight up to see the botanical splendor of the hanging gardens.
While Nebuchadnezzar was dazzling the people of Babylon with gardens, Rome was fast at work creating a wonder of its own. Zeus was the god of gods and every four years athletes competed at a shrine built in his honor. There were several temples erected over the years, but it wasn't until 470 BC that one befitting his greatness was finally under construction. The original temple was simplistic in design but after consideration, it was decided that a four-story statue of Zeus would make the temple worthy of a god of Zeus's magnitude. One aspect of this statue that caught the attention of historians is that Zeus was built seated in such a manner that if he were to stand up,he would un-roof the palace, thus signifying the power of the Greek god.
翻譯
尼布甲尼撒二世（西元前六○四～五六二年）為巴比倫最知名的統治者，他是眾所公認興建花園美化巴比倫神殿的人，當時那座花園風靡士兵與民眾。雖然巴比倫的空中花園名列世界七大奇景之一，關於這些花園細節的資料卻是少之又少。考古學家甚至爭論過它們正確的所在地。那些提供關於空中花園資料的人從未真正親眼目睹它們。他們的記載完全架構在士兵和旅人的故事之上。不過，據信看過這些花園的人，都需要把頭往上仰才能看到這座空中花園的植物奇景。
單字補給站
1. enchant vt. 使迷醉, 迷住
2. specifics n. 細節
3. solely adv. 僅, 只; 完全地
4. botanical a. 植物學上的
5. dazzle vt. 使目眩/眩惑
6. compete vi. 競爭
7. befit vt. 合適, 相當
8. simplistic a. 簡化的
9. magnitude n. 偉大; 重要性
10. un-roof vt. 掀起……的屋頂
11. signify vt. 意味, 表示……意義
片語補給站
1. be credited with... 歸功於……
2. grace A with B 用B使A增添光彩
3. It is believed + that 子句 據信……
4. N + of one's own 自己的……
5. in one's honor 以尊敬……, 向……表敬意
= in honor of...
6. catch the attention of... 吸引……的注意
= draw/attract the attention of...
from 常春藤解析英語雜誌
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