中英双语话史记 第16期:夏朝灭亡

Xia Dynasty

夏朝

End of the Xia Dynasty

夏朝的灭亡

Towards the end of the Xia Dynasty, social conflict grew sharper.

在夏朝灭亡以前，社会矛盾越发激化。

Tradition has it that in the 16th century B.C., the last ruler of Xiajie, abused his power and increased oppression.

传统上认为在公元前16世纪，夏朝的最后一任统治者夏桀，滥用他的权力、加大了镇压。

He exhausted the resources of the people to build palaces and pavilions for himself.

他耗尽人力的资源来为自己建造宫殿和亭台楼阁。

The people were also forced to go to war frequently to exact children, as well as jade and silk, from neighboring tribes.

人们还被迫频繁上战场从临近部落了强取孩子，玉石和丝绸。

Filled with hatred from Jie, the people could no longer put up with his despotic rule and fled in large numbers.

人们充斥着对桀的憎恨，无法继续忍受他的暴虐统治，纷纷逃走。

Even his court officials cursed him and wished his death, although that might mean that they themselves would perish.

就算是朝廷的官员也诅咒桀，希望他快点死，尽管这可能意味着他们自己的死亡。

Jie, however, still thinking of restoring and strengthening his control over other tribes,

然而桀仍然想要重建并加强自己对其他部落的控制，

gathered all the tribal chiefs together for a punitive expedition against the Youmin clan.

他征集了其他部落的首领共同讨伐那些游民部落。

But this made the existing conflicts more acute and alienated the tribes further.

但是这个举措使现存的问题更加尖锐并使部落之间更加离间。

Shang Tang took this opportunity to revolt and overthrew the Xia Dynasty.

商汤抓住这个机会反抗并推翻了夏朝。