This is a spectacular space.
多么壮观啊
The kind of space
这样的空间结构
you would really expect to see in Rome or Greece,
你本以为会在罗马或希腊看到
these great pyramids with platforms for performances
这些有着表演平台的大金字塔
because this, as much as anywhere
因为和西方古遗迹一样
in the Western world of antiquity,
这座建筑本质上
is essentially an urban theatre.
是一座城市剧场
It's a theatre of political and religious power.
这是政治和宗教力量的剧场
A structure like this looks down upon the citizens
这样的结构可以俯瞰人民
and forces them to look back up.
也逼迫他们必须抬头仰视
And what they looked up to was often gruesomely violent,
而他们抬头看到的也经常是可怕的一幕
the mass sacrifice of captives.
大量俘虏的献祭
And one God in particular had a special thirst...
尤其有一位神胃口极大
the rain god, Chaac.
雨神恰克
The power of the Mayan kings rested on the promise
玛雅国王的权力来源于他们承诺
that every year they would persuade Chaac to bring the rains
每年都会说服恰克降下
on which all life depended.
所有生命赖以生存的雨水