Written by Bradley Keyes

 

Pre-reading Discussion

1) What is Atlantis and how much do you know about it?

2) Do you believe that Atlantis is made up? Why or why not?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

   Atlantis IconAtlantis - Fact, Fiction or Exaggeration?

The story of Atlantis begins quite literally with two of Plato's dialogues, Timaeus and Critias. These accounts are the only known written records which refer specifically to a lost civilization called Atlantis.1 Many people believe the tale to be complete fiction, the creation of a philosopher's imagination used to illustrate an argument. Others believe that the story was inspired by events which may have destroyed the Minoan civilization on Crete and Thera. Still others maintain that the story is an accurate representation of a long lost and almost completely forgotten land. 
 
What do YOU think?

Stone Bust of Plato

Greek philosopher - 427-347 B.C. 
Note: Dates are approximate, there is some uncertainty as to his birth and death

Plato was a student of Socrates until the latter's death in 399 BC at the hands of the Athenian authorities. After his teacher's death, Plato traveled extensively, including journeys in Egypt.

In 387 BC he returned to Athens and founded the Academy, a school of science and philosophy, that became the model for the modern university.2 Perhaps the most famous student of the Academy was Aristotle whose teachings have had tremendous impact on philosophy through today.

Due to the Academy's safekeeping, many of Plato's works have survived. His extant writings are in the form of letters and dialogues, the most famous of which is probably The Republic.3 His writings cover subjects ranging from knowledge to happiness to politics to nature.

Two of his dialogues, Timeaus and Critias, hold the only known original references to the island of Atlantis.

Click here for information about sites where you can find out more about Plato and where you can obtain copies of all of his works.
Atlantis: Timaeus and Critias 
Timaeus and Critias, two of Plato's dialogues, are the only existing written records which specifically refer to Atlantis. The dialogues are conversations between Socrates, Hermocrates, Timeaus, and Critias. Apparently in response to a prior talk by Socrates about ideal societies, Timeaus and Critias agree to entertain Socrates with a tale that is "not a fiction but a true story."4

The story is about the conflict between the ancient Athenians and the Atlantians 9000 years before Plato's time. Knowledge of the distant past apparently forgotten to the Athenians of Plato's day, the story of Atlantis was conveyed to Solon by Egyptian priests.5 Solon passed the tale to Dropides, the great-grandfather of Critias. Critias learned of it from his grandfather also named Critias, son of Dropides.

The dialogues that follow were written by Plato some time around 360 BC and are English translations by Benjamin Jowett:

Note: The pages and paragraphs of the dialogues are a convenience created by myself [Bradley Keyes]. They are not a part of the originals but are intended to make load times relatively short and to make reading on computer monitors less of a strain.

Timaeus

Serves only as a brief introduction to Atlantis, a preface. The majority of the writing actually deals with a description of the creation of the world and explanation of natural phenomena. Page 2 is the only part of Timaeus which references and describes Atlantis.
Goto Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

Critias

Provides a detailed description of the lost island and its people as well as information about the ancient Athenians.
Goto Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Cast of Characters

All of the men, except for Timaeus, who take part in or are mentioned in Timaeus and Critias are known to have actually existed in ancient Greece. Records of their lives and deeds have been recorded in other writings from the time period.

Note: There are 2 people named Critias related to the story of Atlantis and this can lead to some confusion. There is the Critias who actually takes part in the dialogues. He is the one who tells the story of Atlantis to Socrates. Then there is Critias who was the grandfather of the Critias of the dialogues. This elder Critias told the story of Atlantis to his grandson, Critias, who then conveyed the story to Socrates in the dialogues.

Those who actually take part in the dialogues:
  • Timaeus - there is no historical record of him.
  • Critias - Plato's great grandfather.
  • Socrates - Plato's mentor and teacher. He was condemned to death by authorities in Athens for "corrupting the moral of Athenian youth"; He lived from 469 to 399 BC.
  • Hermocrates - statesman and soldier from Syracuse.
    • Those mentioned in the dialogues:
  • Solon - Athenian traveler, poet, and lawgiver who lived from approximately 638-559 BC. According to Plato it was he who learned of the story of Atlantis from an Egyptian priest.
  • Dropides - Critias' great grandfather who was told the story of Atlantis by Solon, a distant relative and close friend.

    • Critias - Son of Dropides and grandfather of the Critias who takes part in the dialogues. It was he who related the story of Atlantis to the Critias of the dialogues.

    Reference

    • Mediagraphy - lists and reviews of books, magazines, videos, etc. on Atlantis and related topics
    • Links - lists and reviews of on-line sources of information about Atlantis and related topics
    • Contacts - people and organizations involved with Atlantis and related topics

    Timeline

    • 9000 BC - Cataclysm destroys Atlantis (based on Plato's writings)
    • 1500 BC - Volcanic eruption destroys Thera and possibly brings an end to the Minoan civilization
    • 360 BC - Plato writes Timaeus and Critias
    • 1882 - Atlantis - The Antediluvian World by Ignatius Donnelly is released
    • 1924 - The Problem of Atlantis by Lewis Spence is released
    • 1960 - A. G. Galanopoulos discoveries the ruins of ancient cities on Thera

      • 1968 - The Bimini Wall is discovered
    For the original text, please visit
    http://www.activemind.com/Mysterious/Topics/Atlantis
    prepared by Active Mind.

    After reading discussion

    1) Now that you've read about Atlantis, describe the theories of Atlantis. Do you believe that it is fact, fiction, or exaggeration and why?

    2) What are Timaeus and Critias? What do they say or do to support the existence of Atlantis?