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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.
Once in a while, an event is extraordinary and will change the world.
In this lesson, we focus on an event that changed history forever.
This historic event was the assassination of the Roman leader, Julius Caesar.
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.
topic = 主题，话题
crises = 危机 (crisis的复数)
extraordinary = 非凡的，特别的
assassination = 暗杀
speculate = 猜测，推测
Exercises:
1. — Why does this course focus ob 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.
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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.
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.
Dictator for Life = 终身独裁者
authority = 权力，权威
commander = 指挥官
historian = 历史学家
Put the sentences below in order:
(1) In fact, some historians consider him to be one of the greatest military commanders in history.
(2) His title was "Dictator for Life" which meant he had absolute authority for as long as he lived.
(3) At the time of his death in 44 B.C., he was the leader of the Roman Empire.
(4) He had gained this power through his successes as a military commander.
Correct Order: (3) (2) (4) (1)
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.
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Once gaining power, he fought against corruption and began to restructure the government.
For example, he increased the number of senators and changed how they were chosen.
Instead of being elected, they could be appointed, even if they were not from Rome.
These actions reduced the power of individual senators and shifted the power to Caesar himself.
In doing so, he created many enemies, especially among the aristocracy.
However, he also had many admirers who supported his efforts to end corruption.
corruption = 腐败，贪污
restructure = 重组，调整
senator = 参议员
appointed = 任命
aristocracy = 贵族阶层，上级社会
admirer = 赞赏者
Exercises:
1. What's an example of how he restructure the government?
>> He changed how senators were chosen.
2. If he hadn't fought against the aristocracy, he wouldn't have created many enemies.
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Caesar was stabbed to death by a group of Roman senators on March 15, 44 B.C.
He was scheduled to leave Rome 3 days latar 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.
He should have been aware that many of the senators hated him, but he dismissed his security force not long before the assassination.
If he hadn’t dismissed it, the assassination attempt might not have succeeded.
stab to death = 刺死，捅死
senate = 参议院
take orders from = 听命于…，听从于…，受某人指挥
subordinate = 下级，部下
dismiss = 解雇，免职
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.
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.
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On the day of his assassination, it is reported that Caesar may have been handed a warning note as he enterd the senate.
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.
Once he had entered the senate, he was surrounded by senators holding daggers, or knives.
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.
In total, he suffered 23 knife wounds.
denial = 否认，拒绝
be surrounded by = 被……包围着
dagger = 匕首，短剑
blow = 打击，殴打
suffer = 遭受，忍受，经历
wound = 创伤，伤口
Question:
— 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.
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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.
After a power struggle, Octavian strengthened his position as leader and ruled the Empire for many years.
In the end, Caesar's attempts to end corruption failed.
adopted = 收养的，领养的
vow = 发誓，郑重宣告
revenge against sb. = 报复某人
assassin = 刺客，暗杀者
committed suicide = 自杀身亡
power struggle = 权力斗争
attempt = 企图，试图
Fill in the blanks:
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 enterd 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.
