罗马——帝国之都

陈晓静

Rome, a brilliant city. Rome, a glorious city. For hundreds of years, it was the capital of a great empire and linked up the east and the west. In the history of civilization, Rome played an important role.

罗马，一个灿烂的城市。罗马，一个光辉的城市。千百年来，它是一个庞大的帝国的首都，它充当着连接东西方的纽带。在人类的文明史上，罗马的位置不可替代。

Today, millions of people go to Rome to tracethe old civilization.

今天，千百万的人去罗马追寻历史的足迹，瞻仰古老的文明。

In the ancient world, the colosseum was the largest structure of its type. It was 160 feet high with four stories of windows, arches and columns. There were 76 entrances on the ground level. Gladiator fights and animal combats were held here.

罗马圆形大剧场是当时世界上同类建筑中规模最大的。它高160英尺，有四层，窗户、拱门和柱子相间。地面一层设有76个入口。角斗士决斗和斗兽表演都在这里举行。

The Pantheon, one of the greatest buildings in Rome, was built in A.D. 117~125. It has an opening at the center top of the dome.

建于公元117至125年的万神殿是罗马最著名的建筑物之一。在圆形屋顶中央有一个圆洞。

Strong defenses were an important part of Roman Empire, so a wall was built in the countryside of Rome. The middle wall was 9 feet thick, and on both sides of the middle there were stone brick walls. People enter the town through the gatehouses.

坚固的城防是罗马帝国的特点。固若金汤的罗马城墙围绕着整个罗马城。城墙分三层，中间是9英尺高的砖墙，砖墙内外在筑两道石墙。人们从军士把守的城门进出。

St. John in Lateran Basilica is the Cathedral of Rome, the mother of all churches in Rome and in the world. It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. The current one was built in the 17th century.

圣约翰大教堂是罗马的总教堂，也是罗马和世界的母教堂。经历了多次被毁坏和重建，现存的教堂建于17世纪。

There are many other ancient buildings such as the Roman Theatre, the Roman Forum, the Catacombs and the Peoples Piazza.

罗马的古迹随处可见。罗马剧场、罗马广场、地下陵墓、人民广场等都是不可不去的地方。