中英雙語話史記 第118期:明朝概況

Ming Dynasty

明朝

General

概況

The Ming Dynasty (1368—1644) followed the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty in China.

明朝（1368——1644）上乘元朝下啓清朝。

The dynasty was founded by the Zhu family.

這個朝代由朱家創立。

Among the populace there were strong feelings against the rule of “the foreigners”，which finally led to a peasant revolt that pushed the Yuan dynasty back to the Mongolian steppes and established the Ming Dynasty in 1368.

當時的民衆心中對於“外國人”有很強的抵制情緒，這最終造成了農民起義，將元朝擊退到蒙古大草原並於1368年建立了明朝。

This dynasty started out as a time of renewed cultural blossom： arts, especially the porcelain industry, reached an unprecedented height；

這個朝代以一個新的文化繁盛期開始，藝術，尤其是陶瓷工業額達到了前所未有的高度；

Chinese merchants explored all of the Indian Ocean, reaching Africa with the voyages of Zheng He.

中國商人跟隨鄭和的船隊探索了整個印度洋，一直到達了非洲。

A vast navy was built, including 4 masted ships displacing 1500 tons； there was a standing army of 1 million troops.

明朝建立了一直龐大的海軍，其中包括4艘排水量爲1500噸的有桅船隻；同時還擁有1000000人馬的常備軍。

Over 100000 tons of iron per year were produced in North China.

中國北方每年有超過100000噸的鐵被生產出來。

Many books were printed using movable type.

許多書籍通過活字印刷術得以印刻。

Some would argue that Early Ming China was the most advanced nation on Earth.

有些人認爲早期的明朝是地球上最發達的國度。