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Photo credit: Rod Waddington
图片引自：Rod Waddington
9、Zapotec Civilization
萨博特克文明
While most people are familiar with the Aztecs and the Maya of Mesoamerica, the people known as the Zapotec remain relatively obscure. Among the first people in the area to use agricultural and writing systems, they also built one of the earliest recognized cities in North America—Monte Alban. Founded in the fifth century B.C., the city was home to a maximum of 25,000 citizens and lasted for over 1,200 years. In Monte Alban, a privileged class made up of priests, warriors, and artists ruled over the lower classes.
相较于许多人对中美洲 阿芝特科（Aztecs）及玛雅（Maya）的熟悉来说，一支称为 萨博特克（Zapotec）的文明显得生涩了许多。他们不仅是这一地区最早进行农业耕作、使用书写系统的文明之一，同时也修建了北美地区最早的城市——Monte Alban。[译者注：地理划分上“中美洲”只是一个地区的概念而算不上一个“洲”。Zapotec文明及其中心城市Monte Alban位于今墨西哥南部，在地理上属于“中美”范畴，但按“七大洲”概念则属北美] 该城建于公元前5世纪，最多可容纳2万5000名市民，存续超过1千200年之久。在Monte Alban城，由牧师、战士及艺术家组成的特权阶级统治着其他相对低级的阶层。
Like many of the civilizations of Mesoamerica, the Zapotecs subjugated the surrounding areas through a mix of warfare, diplomacy, and tribute. The sudden downfall of their culture seemed to have no reason, and their largest city was mostly left intact, though it was eventually ruined by years of abandonment. Some scholars believe that a failure of their economic system may have pushed the Zapotecs to find work elsewhere. The rest of the population grouped together into various city-states, which proceeded to fight each other (as well as outside forces) until they were no more.
同中美洲地区许许多多的其他文明一样，萨博特克也通过包括战争、外交和进贡在内的方式征服了周边地区。这支文明的衰落看起来毫无缘由，而且他们最大的城市也基本上是完好地遗留了下来，虽然由于多年的弃置，最终还是损毁了。一些学者认为，他们失败的经济体系，或许使得萨博特克人不得不到其他地区寻找工作。余下的人口组成了大量的城邦，并且相互交战（同时也与外部势力交战）直至灭亡。
