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

我最好说一下油在古代世界的地位,以便你能明白为什么会出售芳香油

耶鲁公开课 - 古希腊历史简介课程节选

If you're an oil rich country today, as long as that oil lasts, you got the world kind of at your knees.

如果你今天是富油国,并且能保持稳定的产油量,那整个世界都会匍匐在你的跟前

耶鲁公开课 - 美国内战与重建课程节选