英语流利说 Level6 Unit2 Part1 Listening:The Murder of Caesar (['si:zə]凯撒谋杀案)
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 (美 [hɪ'stɔrɪk]) event was the assassination(美 [əˌsæsəˈneɪʃn],n.暗杀）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 (美 ['spɛkjə'let] vi. 推测；投机；思索）what caused it and how it might have been prevented.
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(美 ['dɪktetɚ]n. 独裁者；命令者)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(美 [kə'mændɚ]n. 指挥官，司令官).
In fact ,some historians(美 [hɪ'stɔrɪən]n. 历史学家）consider him to be one of the greatest military commanders in history.
#One of the most famous assassinations in history was the assassination of Julius Caesar.
#His title was "Dictator for Life" which meant he had absolute authority for as long as he lived.
#We will never know how history might have been different had this event not taken place.
Once gaining power, he fought against corruption（美 [kə'rʌpʃən]n. 腐败；贪污；贿赂；变体）and began to restructure the government.
For example, he increased the number of senators（美 ['sɛnətɚ]n. 参议员）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.(美 [,ærɪ'stɑkrəsi]n. 贵族；贵族统治)
However,he also had many admirers who supported his efforts to end corruption.
%The aristocracy is the ruling class or eleits(?) of a country.
%his action reduced their power?
Caesar was stabbed(美 [stæb]vt. 刺；刺伤；戳；刺穿；直入)to death by a group of Roman Senators on March 15, 44 B.C.
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 the Roman senate who didn't want to take orders from Caesar's subordinates.(美 [səˈbɔːdɪnɪt (for n. &adj.) ]adj. 级别或职位较低的；下级的；次要的；附属的n. 部属；部下，下级)
He should have been aware that many of the senators hated him, but he dismissed (美 [dɪs'mɪs]vt. 解雇，把…免职；遣散，解散)his security force not long before the assassination.
If he hadn't dismissed it, the assassination attempt might not have succeeded.
%He had appointed members of his army to rule while he was away from Rome.
%He shouldn't had dismissed his security force.
#If he hadn't dismissed it, the assassination attempt might not have succeeded.
#He should have been aware that many of the senators hated him.
#If he hadn't acted against the aristocracy, he would't have created as many enemies.
On the day of his assassination, it is reported that Caesar may have been handed a warning note as he entered 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 (美 [dɪ'naɪəl]n. 否认；拒绝；节制；背弃) and refused to recognize the danger that was facing him.
Once he had entered the senate, he was surrounded by senators holding daggers(美 ['dæɡɚ]n. 匕首，短剑), or knives.
The first blow(美 [blo]n.打击；殴打；吹)hit Caesar in his neck and drew(美 [dru]v. 绘画( draw的过去式 )；拖；拉；拔出) 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.
%He may have been overconfident and in a state of denial.
With his death, power shifted to his adopted son, Octavian(美 [ɒkˈteɪvɪən]n. 屋大维), who vowed revenge against the assassins(美 [ə'sæsn]).
Eventually, several of the leading assassins were either killed or committed suicide.
After a power struggle,Octavian strengthened his position as leader and ruled(美 [rul]) the Empire for many years.
In the end,Caesar's attempts to end corruption failed.
#If he did recieve the warning note and had read it ,he might have escaped.
#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.