Their autonomy was assisted by the continuing struggle between popes and Emperors, between church and state, again, a thoroughly unique Western experience.

他们的自治权是在君主和教皇的争斗中,国家与教堂的战争中促成的,这又是一次西方文明独特的经历

耶鲁公开课 - 古希腊历史简介课程节选

Look what happens to Galileo, who was lucky enough not to have been burn on the stake by his friend, the pope.

看看伽利略的遭遇吧,他足够幸运,没有被他的教皇朋友绑在火刑柱上烧死

耶鲁公开课 - 欧洲文明课程节选

Strong enough to interfere with the ambitions of emperors and kings, it never was able to impose its own domination, though some of the Popes surely tried.

也无法与君主帝王的,雄心壮志相抗衡,宗教是无法统治一个国家的,一些教皇的努力也以失败告终

耶鲁公开课 - 古希腊历史简介课程节选