16.西班牙之魂.doc

In the courtyard of Madrids Royal Palace the Kings Guard recalls an era of regal splendor, privilege and might in Spains past Viva! But the saga of Juan Carlos is distinctly modern When he became king in 1 97 5 he took the reins of government from Europes last fascist dictator He was to inherit a land touched by forces unlike the rest of Europe. . . a land chosen by destiny to become the greatest power on earth . . . then doomed to lapse into decades of decline and stagnation In the extraordinary reign of Juan Carlos Spain has leapt into the 20th century Un, dos, y. . . But as new ideas concepts, and values flood in the Spanish people cherish the ways that are uniquely theirs Mindful of the grandeur of their past even as they create a new unknown future they nurture and treasure the timeless traditions that illuminate the Soul of Spain Spain. Dramatic, mysterious, complex Greatness and tragedy resonate in its soul It gave the world the essence of chivalry in Don Quixote. . . the quintessence of cruelty in the lnquisition Long after the rest of Europe industrialized Spain remained poor and agrarian Hereditary noblemen and wealthy families still owned much of the land controlled it by the laws and privileges of their class lnward looking the people proudly clung to their ancient heritage, customs, and beliefs Who are they? Where did they come from? What shaped the Spanish soul? Lying astride the Atlantic and Mediterranean on the lberian Peninsula Spain has been called that country ripped from hot Africa soldered crudely to inventive Europe First settled by wandering tribes from Europe and North Africa it would be colonized by Phoenicians Carthaginians, and Greeks By 1 9 B.C. the triumphant Romans dominated the peninsula They would leave their indelible imprint of architecture, law, and language Later, Roman missionaries would introduce Christianity Led by Arab warriors in 7 1 1 Berbers from North Africa swept into Spain Soon their rule and Muslim religion gripped the