War was their favorite pastime.
作戰(zhàn)是他們得心應(yīng)手的事。
After each victory they returned in triumph to Rome, led by their generals, with all their captives and their loot.
如果他們又一次打了勝仗,他們便在其統(tǒng)帥率領(lǐng)下,帶著全部俘虜和戰(zhàn)利品,列隊(duì)進(jìn)入羅馬。
To the sound of trumpets1 they would march past the cheering crowds, through gates of honor and triumphal arches.
他們就這樣在歡快的號角聲中接受群眾的歡呼,穿過光榮門和凱旋門。
Above their heads they held pictures and placards, like billboards2 to advertise their victories.
他們扛著畫像和牌子,它們像標(biāo)語牌那樣顯示著他們所取得的勝利。
The general would stand tall in his chariot, a crown of laurel on his head and wearing the sacred cape3 worn by the statue of Jupiter, God of Gods, in his temple.
統(tǒng)帥身披繡著星星的紫袍站在他們的戰(zhàn)車上,頭戴桂冠,身穿主神朱庇特的神廟像所穿的神圣衣裳。
Like a second Jupiter, he would climb the steep path to the Capitol, the citadel4 of Rome.
就這樣,他作為第二個(gè)朱庇特順著陡的道路向上朝著羅馬城塞上的神廟朝著卡比托爾堡駛?cè)ァ?/p>
And there in the temple, high above the city, he would make his solemn sacrifice of thanksgiving to God,
就在他在上面隆重地向神做感恩祭祀的時(shí)候,
while below him the leaders of the vanquished5 were put to death.
被戰(zhàn)勝的敵軍首領(lǐng)們在下面一一被處死。
A general who had many such victories, with plenty of booty for his troops and land for them to cultivate when they grew old and were retired6 from service,
誰經(jīng)常作為戰(zhàn)勝敵人的統(tǒng)帥這樣凱旋,誰使他的軍隊(duì)獲得許多戰(zhàn)利品并給他們田產(chǎn),那么一旦他年老退休,
was loved by his men like a father.
士兵們便會(huì)像敬奉他們自己的父親那樣敬奉他。