War was their favorite pastime.
作战是他们得心应手的事。
After each victory they returned in triumph to Rome, led by their generals, with all their captives and their loot.
如果他们又一次打了胜仗,他们便在其统帅率领下,带着全部俘虏和战利品,列队进入罗马。
To the sound of trumpets they would march past the cheering crowds, through gates of honor and triumphal arches.
他们就这样在欢快的号角声中接受群众的欢呼,穿过光荣门和凯旋门。
Above their heads they held pictures and placards, like billboards to advertise their victories.
他们扛着画像和牌子,它们像标语牌那样显示着他们所取得的胜利。
The general would stand tall in his chariot, a crown of laurel on his head and wearing the sacred cape worn by the statue of Jupiter, God of Gods, in his temple.
统帅身披绣着星星的紫袍站在他们的战车上,头戴桂冠,身穿主神朱庇特的神庙像所穿的神圣衣裳。
Like a second Jupiter, he would climb the steep path to the Capitol, the citadel of Rome.
就这样,他作为第二个朱庇特顺着陡的道路向上朝着罗马城塞上的神庙朝着卡比托尔堡驶去。
And there in the temple, high above the city, he would make his solemn sacrifice of thanksgiving to God,
就在他在上面隆重地向神做感恩祭祀的时候,
while below him the leaders of the vanquished were put to death.
被战胜的敌军首领们在下面一一被处死。
A general who had many such victories, with plenty of booty for his troops and land for them to cultivate when they grew old and were retired from service,
谁经常作为战胜敌人的统帅这样凯旋,谁使他的军队获得许多战利品并给他们田产,那么一旦他年老退休,
was loved by his men like a father.
士兵们便会像敬奉他们自己的父亲那样敬奉他。