文明的崩溃_英译序言_1

The economy of Greece is in shambles. Internal rebellions have engulfed Libya, Syria, and Egypt, with outsiders and foreign warriors fanning the flames. Turkey fears it will become involved, as does Israel. Jordan is crowded with refugees. Iran is bellicose and threatening, while Iraq is in turmoil. AD 2013? Yes. But it was also the situation in 1177 BC, more than three thousand years ago, when the Bronze Age Mediterranean civilizations collapsed one after the other, changing forever the course and the future of the Western world. It was a pivotal moment in history—a turning point for the ancient world.

希腊经济一片混乱，利比亚、叙利亚和埃及内乱纷纷，外族人与外邦战士又火上浇油，土耳其唯恐卷入这场危机，以色列亦是如此，约旦挤满难民，伊朗磨刀霍霍，气势汹汹，伊拉克则动荡不定……这说的是2013年吧？没错。但这也是早在三千多年之前的公元前1177年发生的事情，当时，青铜时代的地中海文明相继崩塌，永远改变了西方世界的发展进程和未来走向。公元前1177年是历史上的一个关键时刻，古代世界中的一大转折点。