双语学习:Sybarite,感官奢靡的锡巴里斯

文摘   2024-10-19 17:00   陕西  

Sybarite: Cautionary Tales of Sensuous Luxury 锡巴里斯:感官奢华的警世故事

Origin 起源


The term "sybarite" has its roots in the mid-16th century, originally referring to an inhabitant of Sybaris, an ancient Greek city in southern Italy renowned for its luxurious lifestyle.

“Sybarite”一词源于 16 世纪中期,最初是指锡巴里斯(Sybaris)的居民,锡巴里斯是位于意大利南部的一个古希腊城市,以其奢靡的生活方式著称。

The word comes via Latin from the Greek Σουβαρίτης (Subaritēs), reflecting the opulence and decadence that characterized the Sybarites and ultimately led to their downfall.

这个词,通过拉丁语,来源于希腊语 Σουβαρίτης (Subaritēs),反映了锡巴里斯人所特有的奢华与颓废,最终导致了他们的衰亡。

This etymological origin lays the foundation for understanding the cautionary tales of luxury and excess that Sybaris represents.

这一词源的追溯,为理解锡巴里斯代表的奢华和过度的警世故事奠定了基础。

Opulence and Decadence: The Rise of Sybaris 奢华与颓废:锡巴里斯的崛起

In the historical narrative of the ancient Greek city of Sybaris, one finds a paradigm of opulence, decadence, and eventual ruin.

在古希腊城市锡巴里斯的历史叙事中,我们看到一个奢华、颓废并最终走向毁灭的典范。

Founded circa 720 BCE by Achaean and Troezenian settlers, Sybaris emerged as a thriving polis in southern Italy, acclaimed for the lavish lifestyles of its denizens.

锡巴里斯由亚该亚人和特罗泽尼人于公元前 720 年左右建立,作为意大利南部繁荣的城邦,以其居民奢华的生活方式而闻名。

Luxury and comfort were not merely peripheral pursuits but were woven into the fabric of daily existence, creating a cultural ethos that has since lent the term "sybarite" its connotation of hedonistic indulgence.

奢华与舒适不仅是附属的追求,而是日常生活的组成部分,形成了一种文化精神,这种精神为“锡巴里斯人”一词赋予了纵情享乐的含义。

The legacy of Sybaris, however, carries an implicit admonition: the perilous trajectory of unchecked extravagance and the dire consequences of a life consumed by the pursuit of pleasure.

然而,锡巴里斯的遗产却隐含着警示:不受控制的奢靡之路和以追求享乐为核心的生活最终导致的可怕后果。

The Pursuit of Comfort: A Way of Life 追求舒适:生活方式的体现

The Sybarites were renowned for their affluence and their seemingly boundless pursuit of comfort.

锡巴里斯人以其富裕和看似无止境的舒适追求而闻名。

Historical accounts detail the extravagant lengths to which they went to sustain their lifestyle: horses were trained to perform intricate dances at festivals, and urban planning even accounted for the ease of inhabitants by designing curved streets to mitigate the effect of wind.

历史记载了他们为维持这种生活方式而采取的奢华手段:马匹被训练在节日上表演复杂的舞蹈,城市规划甚至考虑到居民的舒适,设计了弯曲的街道以减轻风的影响。

Citizens like Smindyrides epitomized this sybaritic ethos, surpassing others in luxury, traveling with an entourage of a thousand slaves, and epitomizing a society that placed indulgence above all else.

像斯敏迪里德斯这样的公民,体现了这种锡巴里斯精神,他超越了他人在奢华上的追求,随身带着一千名奴隶的随从,象征着一个以享乐为上社会的缩影。

This unrelenting pursuit of luxury became emblematic of Sybaris—a pursuit that ultimately rendered the city vulnerable.

这种不懈的奢华追求成为了锡巴里斯的标志,最终使得这个城市变得脆弱。

Sociopolitical Upheaval: Seeds of Decline社会政治动荡:衰落的种子

The decline of Sybaris can be attributed to both internal sociopolitical instability and external threats.

锡巴里斯的衰落既源于内部的社会政治不稳定,也源于外部的威胁。

In 510 BCE, Telys, a charismatic popular leader, orchestrated the overthrow of the oligarchic government, exiling 500 of the wealthiest citizens and appropriating their wealth.

公元前 510 年,富有魅力的民众领袖泰利斯策划推翻了寡头政府,放逐了 500 名最富有的公民,并没收了他们的财富。

These exiles sought asylum in the neighboring city of Kroton, and Telys's subsequent demand for their return under the threat of war set the stage for conflict.

这些流亡者在邻近的克罗顿城寻求庇护,泰利斯随后以战争威胁要求归还他们,冲突由此展开。

Despite their apparent numerical superiority, the Sybarites suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the smaller but more disciplined Krotonian forces, led by the legendary athlete Milo.

尽管锡巴里斯人在人数上占优,但遇到的对手是由传奇运动员米罗领导的克罗顿部队,人数不多但纪律严明,锡巴里斯人惨败。

The subsequent sacking and razing of Sybaris marked a pivotal moment in its downfall.

随后锡巴里斯被洗劫并摧毁,这一事件标志着其衰亡的重要转折点。

Symbolic Erasure: The Flooding of Sybaris 象征性的抹除:锡巴里斯的淹没

The destruction of Sybaris did not end with mere military defeat.

锡巴里斯的毁灭,并未止于军事上的失败。

The Krotoniates, in an act symbolic of Sybaris's erasure, reportedly diverted the Crathis River to inundate the city, further emphasizing the fragility of a society built on indulgence.

据说克罗顿人象征性地将克拉提斯河改道,淹没了锡巴里斯,这进一步突显了一个建立在享乐基础上的社会的脆弱性。

The act of diverting a river to wipe away a city is itself emblematic of how easily excess can lead to ruin when a society becomes too complacent and unprepared for external challenges.

将河流改道以抹去城市的行为本身,象征着一个社会在过度放纵中变得自满且对外部挑战毫无准备时,是多么容易走向毁灭。

Attempts at revival were made, including the founding of Thurii by Athenian colonists in 444 BCE, but internal strife once again led to the expulsion of the Sybarites, illustrating the persistence of their inability to adapt or unify in the face of adversity.

尽管曾有重建的尝试,包括公元前 444 年雅典殖民者建立的图里伊,但内部纷争再次导致锡巴里斯人被驱逐,表明他们在面对逆境时始终无法适应或团结的困境。

Lessons for the Modern World 对现代社会的启示

The cautionary narrative of Sybaris is not confined to the ancient world; it offers a profound resonance with contemporary society.

锡巴里斯的警世故事不仅限于古代世界,也在当代社会中引起深刻的共鸣。

Today, the pursuit of luxury is frequently equated with success, and opulent lifestyles are celebrated across social media and popular culture.

今天,追求奢华常被视为成功的标志,奢华的生活方式在社交媒体和流行文化中被广泛推崇。

However, the allure of unbridled luxury, while seductive, often engenders a disconnection from reality and an erosion of resilience.

然而,不受控制的奢华虽然诱人,却往往导致与现实的脱节和韧性的消蚀。

The history of Sybaris serves as a stark reminder that an existence centered solely on comfort and pleasure precipitates vulnerability—both on an individual and societal scale.

锡巴里斯的历史清楚地提醒我们,一个完全以舒适和享乐为中心的存在会导致脆弱,无论是个人还是社会层面。

The Fragility of Modern Excess 现代奢华的脆弱性

In modern society, we see parallels in the excessive lifestyles of the wealthy elite, whose insular pursuit of pleasure can detach them from the realities faced by most people.

在现代社会中,我们可以看到类似的现象,即富裕精英阶层的过度生活方式,其孤立的享乐追求使他们与大多数人所面临的现实脱节。

This detachment fosters fragility, as the ability to cope with hardship diminishes.

这种脱节滋生了脆弱性,因为应对困难的能力减弱了。

The glorification of luxury has become pervasive, with material wealth and consumer excess held up as ideals to which many aspire.

对奢华的推崇已变得普遍,物质财富和过度消费被视为许多人追求的理想。

Social media, in particular, plays a significant role in amplifying the desire for luxury, often presenting an illusion of effortless wealth and comfort while masking the potential consequences of such a lifestyle.

尤其是社交媒体,在放大对奢华的渴望方面起到了重要作用,经常呈现出毫不费力的财富与舒适的幻象,同时掩盖了这种生活方式的潜在后果。

The Balance Between Indulgence and Discipline 享乐与自律之间的平衡

The Sybarite example underscores the necessity of balance between indulgence and discipline.

锡巴里斯人的例子,强调了享乐与自律之间平衡的重要性。

While there is no inherent fault in enjoying luxury, the key lies in moderation.

享受奢华本身并没有错,关键在于适度。

The tale of Sybaris prompts reflection on the importance of resilience, purpose, and the role of adversity in fostering growth.

锡巴里斯的故事促使我们反思韧性、目标和逆境在促进成长中的作用。

True fulfillment is derived not from perpetual indulgence, but from a life imbued with meaning, challenge, and the capacity for growth.

真正的满足感不是来自于不断的享乐,而是来自于充满意义、挑战和成长能力的生活。

The Sybarites, in their relentless quest for comfort, lost sight of this equilibrium, and their fate serves as an enduring caution against the perils of excess.

锡巴里斯人在对舒适的不懈追求中失去了这种平衡,他们的命运成为对过度追求享乐危险性的长久警示。

The Vulnerability of Societies Built on Comfort 建立在舒适基础上的社会的脆弱性

The narrative of Sybaris also invites a broader exploration of how societies can become vulnerable when they prioritize luxury and comfort at the expense of resilience and solidarity.

锡巴里斯的故事也引发了更广泛的探讨,即当社会以奢华和舒适为优先,而牺牲了韧性和团结时,社会如何变得脆弱。

The collapse of Sybaris was not solely the result of external threats; it was also a consequence of the internal decay that accompanies unchecked indulgence.

锡巴里斯的崩溃不仅仅是外部威胁的结果,也伴随着不受控制的享乐带来的内部腐化。

The complacency of the Sybarites left them unable to respond effectively to crisis, and their reliance on luxury weakened their capacity for collective action and defense.

锡巴里斯人的自满使他们无法有效应对危机,对奢华的依赖削弱了他们的集体行动和防御能力。

This serves as a powerful reminder that the strength of a society lies not only in its wealth but in its ability to withstand adversity through unity and preparedness.

这强有力地提醒我们,一个社会的力量不仅在于其财富,还在于通过团结和准备来承受逆境的能力。

Reevaluating Our Values 重新评估我们的价值观

Ultimately, the story of Sybaris invites us to reevaluate our values and priorities. Are we, like the Sybarites, constructing lives too fragile to withstand hardship, or are we cultivating the resilience, purpose, and fulfillment necessary to thrive beyond the ephemeral allure of luxury?

最终,锡巴里斯的故事促使我们重新评估我们的价值观和优先事项。我们是否像锡巴里斯人一样,构建了过于脆弱而无法承受困境的生活,还是在培养韧性、目标和实现超越奢华短暂魅力所必需的满足感?

The cautionary tales of sensuous indulgence remind us that true richness is not found in the excesses of luxury, but in the strength to navigate both comfort and adversity with dignity and grace.

感官享乐的警世故事提醒我们,真正的财富并不在于奢华的过度,而在于以尊严和优雅驾驭舒适与逆境的力量。

In the pursuit of a meaningful life, it is essential to recognize that true wealth lies not in material abundance but in the depth of our character, the strength of our relationships, and the capacity to endure and grow through challenges.

在追求有意义的生活中,重要的是认识到真正的财富不在于物质的丰富,而在于我们性格的深度、人际关系的力量,以及通过挑战坚持和成长的能力。

Virtues for Personal and Societal Growth 个人与社会发展的美德

As we reflect on the fate of Sybaris, we are reminded of the importance of cultivating virtues such as moderation, resilience, and foresight.

当我们反思锡巴里斯的命运时,我们意识到培养适度、韧性和远见等美德的重要性。

These qualities are not only essential for personal growth but are also the bedrock of a stable and thriving society.

这些品质不仅对个人成长至关重要,也是稳定和繁荣社会的基石。

By learning from the mistakes of the past, we can work towards a future where luxury is enjoyed without being idolized, where comfort is balanced with resilience, and where true fulfillment is found not in excess but in the pursuit of a meaningful and purposeful life.

通过从过去的错误中汲取教训,我们可以努力迈向一个奢华不被崇拜、舒适与韧性相平衡、真正的满足感源自追求有意义和有目标的生活的未来。



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