ATLANTIS

The Forgotten Island

Timaeus and Critias The story of Atlantis begins with two of Plato’s dialogues.

They are the only known records which refer specifically to a lost civilization called Atlantis.

The dialogues are thought to be a response to a prior discussion Socrates held on ideal societies.

The dialogues are conversations between Socrates, Hermocrates, Timeaus, and Critias

Timeaus and Critias agree to entertain a tale that is “not fiction, but true.”

Timeaus and Critias Written in 360 B.C.

In response to Socrates’ conception of an ideal state found in Plato’s Republic, Timeaus gives a prologue to Atlantis, and attempts to explain the nature of the universe.

In Critias, Atlantis is fully discussed with great detail.

Both books are thought to be apart of an trilogy that failed to be completed.

The Story of Atlantis Critias explains that the Earth was once divided into five parts

for five gods, Poseidon being allotted Atlantis which was said to be larger than Asia and Libya combined, and was located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Poseidon falls in love with a mortal named Cleito and births five sets of twins.

Atlas, being the eldest, becomes the first king of Atlantis, and shares the land with his nine siblings.

The island was a center for trade and commerce and possessed a great wealth thanks to its resources and omnipresent location.

The Story of Atlantis

The rulers of the land held sway over their people and much of Europe and Africa.

For generations Atleneans led a simple virtuous life, but they slowly grew greedy.

After a failed attempt to attack Athena, Zeus punishes the Atleneans by engulfing them and their land by the sea. Forever lost and forgotten.

Atlantis’s Location

Dependent on what you believe.

Fictional: created by Plato to illustrate an argument.

Inspired by true events: The destruction of the Island of Thera ruled by the Minoans in 1500 B.C.

Accurate: found in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Influence Atlantis serves as a base for lost societies.

Its influence has spanned the whole length of time since its conception.

The Arts and popular culture repeatedly refer back to Atlantis.

It is one of the best examples of a utopian society gone dystopic.

A Quote

“The idea is that we should use the story to examine our ideas of government and power. We have missed the point if instead of thinking about these issues we go off exploring the sea bed. The continuing misunderstanding of Plato as historian here enables us to see why his distrust of imaginative writing is sometimes justified.” Dr. Julia Annas