I better say something about oil in the ancient world, so that you get a grip on what's going on here.

我最好讲讲古代的石油，这样你们就能了解这里发生了什么。

youdao

In the ancient world, it was probably rare to castrate a dog or cat.

古时候可能很少阉割猫或狗。

《柯林斯英汉双解大词典》

It is difficult for us to imagine what life was like for slaves in the ancient world.

我们很难想象古代奴隶的生活是怎么样的。

youdao

Says that in the ancient world, Angkor was known for its sophisticated water system.

VOA: standard.2010.04.05

But that wouldn't have been sort of a normal, everyday way to talk about a stranger in the ancient world.

但即便在古代，对陌生人这么称呼也不并不常见。

耶鲁公开课 - 新约课程节选

In the ancient world,actually,it would've sounded familiar, because there are other stories of other kinds of teachers who'd healed and exorcised demons and performed miracles.

然而在古代，则很耳熟，因为还有其他人，传授知识,治疗百姓，驱魔，创造奇迹的故事。

耶鲁公开课 - 新约课程节选

In the ancient world, the 'gods' were rarely regarded as supernatural beings with discrete personalities, living a totally separate metaphysical existence.

NPR: Karen Armstrong: Myths and the Modern World

Just about any contemporary sport has corollaries in competitions in the ancient world, or a pedigree in folk games or aristocratic recreations.

NEWYORKER: Glory Days

Pat bred donkeys and had studied and written about their symbolic significance, their place in the ancient world, and their profoundly spiritual natures.

NPR: Excerpt: 'Dog Days'