This is a spectacular space.
多么壯觀啊
The kind of space
這樣的空間結構
you would really expect to see in Rome or Greece,
你本以為會在羅馬或希臘看到
these great pyramids with platforms for performances
這些有著表演平臺的大金字塔
because this, as much as anywhere
因為和西方古遺跡一樣
in the Western world of antiquity,
這座建筑本質上
is essentially an urban theatre.
是一座城市劇場
It's a theatre of political and religious power.
這是政治和宗教力量的劇場
A structure like this looks down upon the citizens
這樣的結構可以俯瞰人民
and forces them to look back up.
也逼迫他們必須抬頭仰視
And what they looked up to was often gruesomely violent,
而他們抬頭看到的也經常是可怕的一幕
the mass sacrifice of captives.
大量俘虜的獻祭
And one God in particular had a special thirst...
尤其有一位神胃口極大
the rain god, Chaac.
雨神恰克
The power of the Mayan kings rested on the promise
瑪雅國王的權力來源于他們承諾
that every year they would persuade Chaac to bring the rains
每年都會說服恰克降下
on which all life depended.
所有生命賴以生存的雨水