雅典風情

Athens— the name brings to mind buildings with tall， white columns and statues of Greek gods and goddesses. Museums take visitors back to the time of ancient Greece. When visiting the city， visitors feel like they're in the middle of a history lesson.

雅典——這個名字令人想到有著高大的白色圓柱的建筑物，以及希臘諸神的雕像。博物館將帶游客回到古希臘時代。當游客造訪此城時，會覺得仿佛置身在歷史課堂上。

Athens gave birth to Western culture. This is where the West's ideas of government， law， justice and liberty all began. Architecture， science， drama and poetry also flourished here.

雅典是西方文明的搖籃，西方的政府、法律、法律制裁和自由這些觀念，都起源于此。建筑、科學、戲劇和詩詞也在這里大放光芒。

The history of Athens is tied to mythology. The god that came up with the most valuable legacy for humans was to give the city its name. Poseidon and Athena each wanted the honor. Athena produced an olive tree—the symbol of peace and wealth. Poseidon offered a strong horse needed for war. The gods decided Athena's gift would better serve the people， and the city became known as Athens.

雅典的歷史與神話密不可分。哪一個神能夠帶給人類最寶貴的遺產，就可以為此城命名。海神波塞冬和雅典娜女神都想得到這份殊榮。雅典娜造了一棵橄欖樹——象征和平與財富。波塞冬則提供一匹驍勇善戰的馬。后來諸神決定雅典娜的禮物對人類比較有意義，于是此城就取名為“雅典”。

The Acropolis， or \"high city，\" stands on a hill overlooking the city. Western civilization's most important ancient monument was built by Pericles， the leader of Athens from 461-429 B.C. He spared no expense when he constructed the buildings of the Acropolis. He used only the best materials， architects and artists. His artists created huge statues of marble and covered them with gold and jewels. Sadly， only ruins remain of this \"high city\" of temples.

阿克羅波利斯，或稱“高城”，聳立在山上俯瞰全城。它是西方文明最重要的古老遺跡，由公元前461至429年間的雅典統治者——伯里克利所建。他不惜成本，斥下巨資建造阿克羅波利斯。他只用最好的材料、建筑師和藝術家。他的藝術家雕刻了巨大的大理石雕像，外面還包上黃金和寶石。可惜的是，這個神廟“高城”如今只留下一片廢墟。

More treasure of ancient Greece lies in the National Archeological Museum. Opened in 1874， the museum contains the best collection of Greek art in the world. It is crammed with treasures-more than visitors can see in a single visit. Visitors can view treasures from all the ancient civilizations that controlled the city throughout history. The vases， statues， carvings and other art objects show the life of those who lived in ages past.

“國家考古博物館”中收藏更多的古希臘珍寶。這個博物館在公元1874年開幕，里面收集了全世界最精致的希臘藝術品。館中滿是寶物，訪客無法一次看完所有的收藏品。游客在這里可以見到歷史上每一個曾統治此城的古文明珍寶。花瓶、雕像、雕刻品和其他藝術品顯示出遠古居民的生活。

But a visit to Athens is more than a lesson in ancient history. Modern Athens hums with activity. The city offers every modernconvenience .

但是，到雅典一游不只是去上一堂古代歷史課。現代的雅典十分繁榮。這個城市提供了各種現代化的便利。

One thing that hasn't changed since ancient times， though， is Greek hospitality. Ancient Greeks believed that a stranger might be a god in disguise. Therefore， they always treated strangers kindly. Nowhere else in Europe will you find people who invite complete strangers to their homes for coffee ordinner .

但有一件事自古至今仍未改變，那就是希臘人的好客。古希臘人相信，陌生人可能是神的化身，所以他們總會善待陌生人。全歐洲只有這個地方的人，會邀請一個完全陌生的人到家里喝咖啡或吃晚飯。

If you do go to a Greek home for dinner， do your best to eat everything on your plate. Uneaten food insults the cook. Taking second helpings is the best way to show how much you enjoy the meal.

如果你真的到希臘人家里吃晚飯，一定要盡量把你盤中的食物吃光。東西沒吃完對廚師是一種侮辱。吃完再要第二份，最能表示你吃得多盡興。

X檔案

olive tree 橄欖樹據：《圣經》中的《創世紀》載，上帝降洪水滅世時，諾亞制作成方舟避難。洪水泛濫了150天后逐漸消退，方舟被擱淺于山巔。諾亞為了探測洪水究竟是否已經退卻，放出了一只烏鴉，但烏鴉卻沒有飛回來報信，于是就又放出了一只鴿子，鴿子很快就飛回來報信。7天后再放出鴿子，飛回來的鴿子嘴里竟銜著一段新折下來的橄欖綠枝。諾亞由此斷定洪水已退，這才從方舟里走了出來。后來，人們在寫文章時就把橄欖枝與鴿子當成了和平的象征，并把鴿子稱為“和平鴿”。

能說會用

conveniencen.方便，便利的事物，方便的時候

Please reply at your earliest convenience.

請盡早回信。

Come at your earliest convenience.

你方便的時候請盡早光臨。

dinnern.一日中的主餐（午餐或晚餐），宴會

Have you had dinner yet?

你吃過晚飯了嗎？

We gave a dinner in honor of our guest.

我們設宴款待客人。

◆編輯：Coffey