The lost city of Atlantis, ¿history or fiction?🧭🌏
Are you interested in history and myths? In this article we reveal Where is Atlantis, and how the myth was born?
Read on.
Table of Contents
The Lost City of Atlantis, a legendary and advanced civilization that ultimately met its demise in a cataclysmic event, is primarily attributed to the Greek philosopher Plato. In his dialogues “Timaeus” and “Critias,” written around 360 BC, Plato provides a detailed description of Atlantis, its geography, society, and eventual downfall.
Where is the lost city of Atlantis?
According to Plato’s account, Atlantis was located “in front of the mouth that Greeks call the columns of Heracles, which commonly refer to the Strait of Gibraltar, placing it in the Atlantic Ocean.
However, some scholars argue that until the 6th century B.C., the Greeks referred to the columns of Heracles as the mountains that flank both sides of the Gulf of Laconia, south of Greece, thus placing Atlantis in the Mediterranean Sea.
But to date, there is no known archaeological evidence to validate these theories.
Plato’s Account of Atlantis
Plato’s description of Atlantis in his dialogues is a foundational source for the Atlantis myth. In “Timaeus,” Plato introduces Atlantis as a powerful maritime empire beyond the “Pillars of Hercules,” commonly identified with the Straits of Gibraltar.
He characterizes Atlantis as a highly advanced civilization, possessing advanced technology, a structured governance system, and a prosperous economy.
In “Critias,” Plato further elaborates on Atlantis, providing intricate details about its geography. He describes Atlantis as a series of concentric rings of water and land, complete with a central island housing the city’s royal palace.
Plato’s account mentions the Atlanteans’ exceptional military prowess and their eventual moral and ethical decline, leading to the city’s sudden and catastrophic submersion beneath the ocean in a single day and night as punishment from the gods.
Interpretations
Scholars have debated the nature of Plato’s account of Atlantis for centuries. While some consider it a work of fiction or allegory designed to convey philosophical or moral lessons, others have sought to identify historical or geographical parallels.
One interpretation suggests that Atlantis may be a reflection of Plato’s concerns about the decadence and corruption of Athens at the time.
In this interpretation, Atlantis symbolizes the potential consequences of moral decline and hubris within a society. Plato may have used the fictional tale of Atlantis to caution against the very real dangers he perceived in Athens. By depicting the tragic fate of Atlantis, he could have been warning his contemporaries of the perils of abandoning the virtuous principles he advocated for in his philosophical works, particularly those related to his ideal city-state, the Republic
Despite the lack of concrete evidence for the existence of Atlantis as described by Plato, some theories propose potential real-world inspirations for the Atlantis myth. One such theory links Atlantis to the eruption of the volcanic island of Santorini (Thera) in the Aegean Sea around 1600 BC. The cataclysmic eruption and the subsequent collapse of the Minoan civilization on Crete may have influenced Plato’s narrative.
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Legacy and Influence
The legend of Atlantis has left an indelible mark on Western thought and culture. It continues to inspire countless works of literature, art, and popular culture. Atlantis serves as a symbol of a lost, advanced civilization and remains a subject of fascination and speculation in fields ranging from archaeology to pseudoscience.
Conclusion
The lost city of Atlantis in Plato’s account, although shrouded in myth and mystery, endures as a captivating tale that has sparked scholarly debate and captured the imagination of generations. Whether one views it as a philosophical allegory or a glimpse into a lost civilization, Atlantis remains a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and its impact on our understanding of history and human nature.
References:
Plato. “Timaeus.” Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Project Gutenberg, 2021.
Plato. “Critias.” Translated by Benjamin Jowett. Project Gutenberg, 2021.
Vann, R. T. “The Geography of Atlantis.” Classical Philology, vol. 26, no. 2, 1931, pp. 97-112.
Marinatos, Spyridon. “The Volcanic Destruction of Minoan Crete.” Antiquity, vol. 41, no. 164, 1967, pp. 89-95.
