高中英语Unit2 The Olympic Games文章 Greek Olympic Games人教版必修二.doc

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GreekOlympicGames

ThetempleofHerainOlympia,Elis,Greece
Onceeveryfouryears,menfromalloverGreececametocompeteinagreatathleticfestivalinElis,inwesternGreece(Womenwerenotallowedtocompete).ThiswascalledtheOlympicgamesbecausetheplacewascalledOlympia.ItwasareligiousfestivaltohonortheGreekgodsZeusandHera.Wedon'tknowwhenmenfirstbegancelebratingtheOlympicGames,buttheywerecertainlyalreadydoingitinthetimeofHomer,by776BC.Andtheywerecelebratedfromthenon,everyfouryearswithoutfail,untilpeopleconvertedtoChristianityandtheRomanEmperorTheodosiusbannedthegamesin393AD.That'smorethanathousandyears!Thegamesweresoregularthatpeopleusedthemtodateby.Theywouldsay,Iwasborninthesecondyearofthetwenty-fourthOlympiad(startingfrom776BC).Canyoufigureoutwhatyearthatwouldbeinourreckoning?

Whenitwastimeforthegames,therulersofElissentoutmessengersalloverGreeceandtotheGreekcoloniesaroundtheBlackSeaandtheMediterranean.TheydeclaredatrucethroughouttheGreekworldforamonth.Nomatterwhoyouhadawarwith,youhadtostopthewarandlettheirathletesandperformersgothroughyourcity-statesafelytogettotheOlympicGames.Eachcity-statepaidforafewathletesfromtheircitytotraveltoElis.Butifyouhadeverbeenaslave,orifyouhadeverdoneanythingagainstthegods,thenyoucouldn'tbeintheOlympics.And,themenhadtoswearthattheyhadalreadytrainedforatleasttenmonths.ThismeantthatonlymenwhowereprettyrichcouldbeintheGames,sotheycouldaffordtotakesolongoffwork,andalsopayatrainer.