Listening---The Murder of Caesar
In this course, we have tried to prepare you to understand and discuss important topics that are often in the news.
Sometimes the news is good news, but all too often we learn of problems and crises.
PS: 有时候，这个消息是好消息，但我们常常了解到问题和危机。
all too often时常，经常是，再三再四
learn of听说…
problems棘手的问题; 难题; 困难; 逻辑题; 数学题; problem的复数
crises危机; 危急关头; 危难时刻; 病危期; crisis的复数
Once in a while, an event is extraordinary and will change the world.
PS:偶尔，一件事是非同寻常的，会改变世界。
extraordinary意想不到的; 令人惊奇的; 奇怪的; 不平常的; 不一般的; 非凡的;
In this lesson, we focus on an event that changed history forever.
This historic event was the assassination of the Roman leader, Julius Caesar.
PS: 这一历史性事件是罗马领袖朱利叶斯·凯撒遇刺。
assassination英 [əˌsæsɪ'neɪʃ(ə)n] 美 [əˌsæsɪ'neɪʃ(ə)n] n.暗杀；刺杀，行刺
We will never know how history might have been different had this event not taken place.
But we can speculate what caused it and how it might have been prevented.
PS: 但我们可以推测是什么引起的以及如何预防的。
speculate英 [ˈspekjuleɪt] 美 [ˈspekjuleɪt] v.推测;猜测;推断;投机;做投机买卖
Exercises:
1. Why does this course focus on such topic as historic event?
This kind of language is often used in news reports.
2. We will never know how history might have been different had this event not taken place.
One of the most famous assassinations in history was the assassination of Julius Caesar.
At the time of his death in 44 B.C., he was the leader of the Roman Empire.
His title was "Dictator for Life" which meant he had absolute authority for as long as he lived.
PS: 他的头衔是“终身独裁者”，这意味着他一生都拥有绝对的权威。
title名称，标题，题目; 一种，一本; 称号，头衔，职称，称谓; 加标题，定题目
for Life拼命地; 尽最大努力地; 终生
meant原本打算的;本应的; 为…而做的;为…而准备的; 表示…的意思; 意思是; 本意是; 打算; 意欲; 有…的目的; mean的过去分词和过去式
absolute完全的; 全部的; 绝对的; 道地的，确实的，十足的; 肯定的; 无疑的; 明确的; 绝对真理
authority for……的权力
dictator英 [dɪkˈteɪtə(r)] 美 [ˈdɪkteɪtər] n.独裁者;发号施令者;专横的人
He had gained this power through his successes as a military commander.
PS: 他通过军事指挥官的成功获得了这种权力。
In fact, some historians consider him to be one of the greatest military commanders in history.
PS: 事实上，一些历史学家认为他是历史上最伟大的军事指挥官之一。
Put the sentences below in order:
At the time of his death in 44 B.C., he was the leader of the Roman Empire.
His title was "Dictator for Life" which meant he had absolute authority for as long as he lived.
He had gained this power through his successes as a military commander.
In fact, some historians consider him to be one of the greatest military commanders in history.
Repeat Sentences:
1. He had gained this power through his successes as a military commander.
2. Sometimes the news is good news, but all too often we learn of problems and crises.
3. Once in a while, an event is extraordinary and will change the world.
Once gaining power, he fought against corruption and began to restructure the government.
PS: 他一上台就反腐，开始改组政府。
Once仅一次; 一次; 曾; 曾经; (用于否定句、疑问句和if后)曾，根本; 一…就; 一旦; 当…时候
gaining获得; 赢得; 博得; 取得; 受益，获益; 得到; 增加; 增添; 增进; 增长; gain的现在分词
fought打仗; 战斗; 作战; 搏斗; 打斗; 打架; 参加; 竞争; fight的过去分词和过去式
corruption腐败; 贪污; 贿赂; 受贿; 使人堕落的行为; 腐蚀; 变体
began开始; 启动; 起始; 开始存在; 起初是; 本来是; begin的过去式
restructure调整结构; 改组; 重建
government政府; 内阁; 政体; 国家体制; 统治，治理，统治方式，管理方法
For example, he increased the number of senators and changed how they were chosen.
PS: 例如，他增加了参议员的人数，改变了他们的选举方式。
senators英 [ˈsɛnətəz] 美 [ˈsɛnətərz] n.参议员senator的复数
Instead of being elected, they could be appointed, even if they were not from Rome.
PS: 他们可以被任命，而不是被选举，即使他们不是来自罗马。
elected选举; 推选; 选择，决定; elect的过去分词和过去式
appointed指定的，约定的; 任命; 委任; 安排，确定; appoint的过去分词和过去式
These actions reduced the power of individual senators and shifted the power to Caesar himself.
PS: 这些行动削弱了个别参议员的权力，并将权力移交给了凯撒本人。
actions行动; 行为过程; 所做之事; 行为; 诉讼; 起诉; 务必做，确保处理; action的第三人称单数和复数
reduced减少，缩小; 蒸发; 减轻体重; 节食; reduce的过去分词和过去式
power控制力; 影响力; 操纵力; 统治; 政权; 能力; 机会; 驱动，推动; 迅猛移动，快速前进
individual单独的; 个别的; 一个人的; 供一人用的; 独特的; 与众不同的; 个人; 与众不同的人; 有个性的人; 某种类型的人; 古怪的人
senators参议员; senator的复数
shifted转移; 挪动; 赶快; 快速移动; 变换; 更替; 变动; shift的过去分词和过去式
In doing so, he created many enemies, especially among the aristocracy.
PS: 他这样做，制造了许多敌人，尤其是在贵族中。
aristocracy英 [ˌærɪˈstɒkrəsi] 美 [ˌærɪˈstɑːkrəsi] n.(某些国家的)贵族
However, he also had many admirers who supported his efforts to end corruption.
PS: 然而，他也有许多仰慕者支持他结束腐败的努力。
admirers钦佩者; 赞赏者; 追求者，爱慕者; admirer的复数
Exercises:
1. The aristocracy is the ruling class of the country.
2. What's an example of how he restructure the government?
He changed how senators were chosen.
3. If he hadn't fought against the aristocracy, he wouldn't have created many enemies.
Caesar was stabbed to death by a group of Roman senators on March 15, 44 B.C.
PS: 凯撒在公元前44年3月15日被一群罗马参议员刺死。
stabbed英 [stæbd] 美 [stæbd] v.(用刀等锐器)刺，戳，捅;(用手指或尖物)戳，刺stab的过去分词和过去式
He was scheduled to leave Rome 3 days later to fight in another war.
He had appointed members of his army to rule the Empire while he was away.
This action angered many in Roman senate who didn’t want to take orders from Caesar's subordinates.
PS: 这一举动激怒了罗马参议院中许多不想接受凯撒下属命令的人。
angered使发怒; 激怒; anger的过去分词和过去式
Roman古罗马的; 古罗马帝国的; 罗马的; 罗马城的; 天主教的; 古罗马人; 罗马人，罗马市民; 罗马体; 西文白正体
senate参议院(美国、澳大利亚、加拿大、法国等国家的两个立法机构之一; 美国许多州议会也设有参议院); 大学理事会，大学评议会; 元老院
orders顺序; 次序; 条理; 治安; 秩序; 规矩; 命令; 指挥; 要求; 订购; 订货; 要求提供服务; 点; order的第三人称单数和复数
Caesar凯撒; computerized automation by electronic system with automated reservations 通过电子系统和自动预定实现的计算机化自动操作
subordinates英 [səˈbɔːdɪneɪts] 美 [səˈbɔːrdɪneɪts] n.下级;部属v.把…置于次要地位;使从属subordinate的第三人称单数和复数
He should have been aware that many of the senators hated him, but he dismissed his security force not long before the assassination.
PS: 他应该意识到许多参议员都恨他，但他在暗杀前不久就解散了他的安全部队。
aware知道; 意识到; 明白; 察觉到; 发觉; 发现; 对…有兴趣的; 有…意识的
dismissed不予考虑; 摒弃; 对…不屑一提; 去除，消除，摒除; 解雇; 免职; 开除; dismiss的过去分词和过去式
security保护措施; 安全工作; 保卫部门; 保安部门; 担保; 保证
force武力; 暴力; 力; 力量; 强大效力; 巨大影响; 强迫，迫使; 用力，强行; 使发生
long before很久以前
assassination暗杀；刺杀，行刺
If he hadn’t dismissed it, the assassination attempt might not have succeeded.
Exercises:
1. What should he have been aware of?
Many of the senators hated him.
2. If he hadn’t dismissed it, the assassination attempt might not have succeeded.
3.Who is caser appointed to rule the Empire while he was away?
a group of army subordinates.
4.what shouldn't he have done?
he dismissed his security force
Repeat Sentences:
1. He appointed members of his army to rule while he was away from Rome.
2. He shouldn't have dismissed his security force.
3. Once gaining power, he fought against corruption and began to restructure the government.
4.He should have been aware that many of the senators hated him.
On the day of his assassination, it is reported that Caesar may have been handed a warning note as he entered the senate.
PS:据报道，在凯撒遇刺当天，他可能在进入参议院时收到一份警告信
handed交; 递; 给; hand的过去分词和过去式
warning警告，警示; 先兆; 警告，警戒; 提醒注意; 使警惕; 劝告; 警告; 告诫; warn的现在分词; 警告的; 告诫的; 引以为戒的
note笔记; 记录; 短笺; 便条; 注释; 按语; 批注; 注意; 留意; 指出; 特别提到
entered进来; 进去; 进入; 成为…的一员; 加入; 开始从事; 开始参加; 开始进入; 着手进行; enter的过去分词和过去式
senate参议院(美国、澳大利亚、加拿大、法国等国家的两个立法机构之一;
If he did receive such a note, he didn’t read it.
It seems as if he was in a state of denial and refused to recognize the danger that was facing him.
PS: 他似乎处于否认的状态，拒绝承认他所面临的危险。
denial英 [dɪˈnaɪəl] 美 [dɪˈnaɪəl] n.否认;否定;拒绝给予，剥夺(应有的权利);否认(令人不快、痛苦的事
Once he had entered the senate, he was surrounded by senators holding daggers, or knives.
PS: 他一进入参议院，就被手持匕首或刀子的参议员包围。
daggers英 [ˈdægəz] 美 [ˈdægərz] n.匕首;短剑dagger的复数
senate参议院(美国、澳大利亚、加拿大、法国等国家的两个立法机构之一; 美国许多州议会也设有参议院); 大学理事会，大学评议会; 元老院
surrounded围绕; 环绕; 包围，围住; 与…紧密相关; surround的过去分词和过去式
senators参议员; senator的复数
holding股份; 私有财产; 馆藏; 租种的土地; 拿着; 抓住; 抱住; 托住; 捂住，按住; 使保持; hold的现在分词
daggers匕首; 短剑; dagger的复数
The first blow hit Caesar in his neck and drew blood.
PS:第一拳打在凯撒的脖子上，他抽血了。
hit击，打; 碰撞; 撞击; 使碰上; 打; 击; 命中; 击中; 很受欢迎的人
blow英 [bləʊ] 美 [bloʊ] v.吹;刮;(被)刮动，吹动n.(用手、武器等的)猛击;打击;挫折;吹int.表示厌烦
Caesar凯撒; computerized automation by electronic system with automated reservations 通过电子系统和自动预定实现的计算机化自动操作
neck颈; 脖子; 衣领; 领子; 领圈; 有…衣领的; 有…脖子的; 搂着脖子亲吻; 相拥互吻
drew画，描绘，描画; 拖; 拉; 牵引; 拉，拖; 吸引，使感兴趣; draw的过去式
blood血; 有…类型的血的; 血统; 家世; 让
Then the other senators joined in and stabbed him repeatedly until he fell to the floor and died.
PS: 然后其他参议员也加入进来，不断地刺伤他，直到他倒地身亡。
In total, he suffered 23 knife wounds.
Question:
1.How did Caesar contribute his own death?
He refused to realize how his actions had angered so many powerful men.
Fill in the blanks:
The first blow hit Caesar in his neck and drew blood. Then the other senators joined in and stabbed him repeatedly until he fell to the floor and died.
With his death, power shifted to his adopted son, Octavian, who vowed revenge against the assassins.
PS: 随着他的死，权力转移到他的养子屋大维，谁发誓要报复刺客。
power控制力; 影响力; 操纵力; 统治; 政权; 能力; 机会; 驱动，推动; 迅猛移动，快速前进
shifted转移; 挪动; 赶快; 快速移动; 变换; 更替; 变动; shift的过去分词和过去式
vowed起誓; 立誓; 发誓; vow的过去分词和过去式
revenge报复; 报仇; 雪耻，打败对手; 替…报仇; 雪耻
against反对; 与…相反; 逆; 违反; 对…不利; 紧靠; 倚; 碰; 撞
assassins暗杀者，行刺者; assassin的复数
adopted son英 [əˈdɒptɪd sʌn] 美 [əˈdɑːptɪd sʌn] 养子;义子安东尼;嗣子;领养来的儿子;义子
Eventually, several of the leading assassins were either killed or committed suicide.
PS: 最终，几名主要刺客要么被杀，要么自杀。
Eventually最后; 终于
several几个; 数个; 一些; 各自的; 分别的
leading最重要的; 一流的; 领先的，最前的; 行距; 带路; 领路; 引领; 相连，相通; 通向; 通往; lead的现在分词
assassins暗杀者，行刺者; assassin的复数
After a power struggle, Octavian strengthened his position as leader and ruled the Empire for many years.
PS: 经过一场权力斗争，屋大维巩固了自己的领导地位，统治了帝国多年。
struggle奋斗; 努力; 争取; 艰难地行进; 吃力地进行; 斗争; 抗争; 搏斗; 扭打; 抢夺，挣扎脱身; 难事
strengthened加强; 增强; 巩固; strengthen的过去分词和过去式
position位置; 地方; 恰当位置; 正确位置; 姿态，姿势; 放置方式; 安装; 安置; 使处于
leader领导者; 领袖; 首领; 最佳的人; 处于领先地位的人; 首席小提琴手
ruled有横格的，有平行线的; 控制; 统治; 支配; 操纵; 决定; 裁定; 判决; rule的过去分词和过去式
Empire帝国; 大企业; 企业集团
In the end, Caesar's attempts to end corruption failed.
Fill in the blanks:
With his death, power shifted to his adopted son, Octavian, who vowed revenge against the assassins. Eventually, several of the leading assassins were either killed or committed suicide.
Repeat & Read Sentences:
1. Eventually, several of the leading assassins were either killed or committed suicide.
2. He may have been overconfident and unaware of the magnitude of the danger facing him.
3. If he did receive such a note, he didn’t read it.
4. On the day of his assassination, it is reported that Caesar may have been handed a warning note as he entered the senate.
5. Caesar should have been aware that many of the senators hated him, but he dismissed his security force not long before the assassination.
6.Once he had entered the senate, he was surrounded by senators holding daggers, or knives.
7.The first blow hit Caesar in his neck and drew blood.
8.After a power struggle, Octavian strengthened his position as leader and ruled the Empire for many years.
