civilization for the purpose of

比较看看两者间巨大的差异
noting the great contrast, the great change.

也就可以明白希腊的巨大进步了
Remember the ancient near

大家应该还记得这个古老的
eastern kingdoms and their collectivized agriculture,

近东王国记得他们的采集农业
control from the center,

记得他们的中央集权
the individuals who carry out the farming or the grazing.

记得其民众所从事的农耕业和游牧业
They are not permitted individual initiative;

他们个体没有自主性
they are controlled.

他们被统治着
This civilization, like these other ancient Mediterranean kingdoms,

这样的文明与其它古老的地中海文明类似
was rather advanced.

是相当先进发达的
They knew how to cultivate the grape to make excellent wine;

他们懂得如何培育葡萄来酿造佳酿
they knew how to cultivate olives

他们也懂得如何培育橄榄树