There are not too many legends that have awed people for such a length of time as the legend of Atlantis. From the stories of the Greek Philosopher, Plato, to the series: Stargate Atlantis; the myth is widely represented in many ways among our society. Its location disputed, the theories ranging from super-civilizations with advanced technology to an island that existed 9000 years ago, and whose people invaded Greece, but failed; its part in explaining the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle, to the theories of visitors from other worlds.
It is indeed a mystery, or myth, yet to be proven true, or false. Many people have their opinions on the legend; some dismiss it as crazy talk, while others-even those of notable, high stature-have taken it very seriously; and even went to great lengths to learn more about it. Despite the many opinions or claims, the truth is still not known to be exact-but it is still important to note the information gathered and shared, which helps bring people to the conclusion of where it is located-and whether it exists or not.
Plato's Account of Atlantis
The first time the fabled continent of Atlantis is mentioned is 2400 years ago, by a well known Greek Philosopher named Plato. His description is the first, most common, and well known tale of the Lost Continent that is currently recorded in history.
The Legend originates from Plato's two not-so-well-known works that he wrote 360 B.C. known as the Timaeus and the Critias; which are the only existing sources from the original legend in existence today. According to Plato, the story was not of his own invention but one passed down to him by a fellow philosopher named Critias (hence the name of the work). He also claims that Critias was not the original author either; he had learned the story from his grandfather, who had in turn learned it from his father, Dropides; who had supposedly learned it from the famous Greek philosopher and statesman solon; who acquired it from Egyptian priests while traveling the Nile river. According to the author, the generations from which it was passed down may even extend further-giving the Legend even more significance.
Plato wrote the story as a fictional dialogue between the great philosopher Socrates and two of his fellow intellectuals, concerning ancient knowledge and ideal societies. Socrates' two fellow intellectuals, Timaeus and Critias, agree to tell him a tale that was “not of fiction but a true story”. They recounted a time 9,000 years earlier when the ancient Athenians fought a fierce, seafaring race known as the Atlanteans. They describe the Atlanteans' home as a massive island located, in modern terms, off the coast of Portugal. They describe a wealthy and lush land that had a powerful economy and military, with twice-a-year crop harvest and many kinds of animals-including elephants. He also described the capital city; and its unusual features, such as the surrounding rings of metal-lined canals and massive stone walls wide enough to serve as horse racing tracks. The story, unfortunately, ends with the Atlanteans, who transitioned from simple, virtuous people into a greedy and power-abusive race; that in the end forced Zeus and the other gods to destroy them in a single day-the ocean swallowed the island; the people and their great civilization sank beneath the waves.
It was a lesson for those in the future who attempt to excel without giving the gods their due credit. This story by Plato is arguably fact or fiction by many scholars today, brought on mainly by the fact that Plato gives incredible detail on the Atlantean people and their civilization, and also because Plato himself claims it was true. Many argue: why the elaborate detail if the story was just a fable meant to entertain? It wouldn't seem correct to assume that one of the most admired and ethical men of the ancient would be incorrect without gathering coherent evidence that his story was false. This is one of the primary reasons that the Legend of Atlantis is still alive today-the credibility of the man that told the tale.
Support
Since Plato's time many people have shown interest in Atlantis, including those notable and revered throughout history. Records of people who support it extend for several centuries.
One such account was made by a Swedish scientist, Olof Rudbeck, who wrote a book called “Atlantica” in 1679. In the book he claims that Atlantis was actually in Sweden, and that geographically, Plato's account of Atlantis matched up to suggest the existence of an ancient abandoned city in Sweden.
Another figure in history was a man by the name of Rudolph Steiner, an Occult Scientist-as he was called, and a clairvoyant (Psychic), who believed in the existence of Atlantis. He was known, and often called, a mystic and an occultist. Steiner was born in upper Austria in 1861, and even at an early age he claimed to “read souls” and often was said to have “harmony with nature”. He was also notable as a philosopher, having obtained his degree in philosophy in the late 1880's, and he was also heavily involved with sciences-from zoology to geology. In the early 1900's he traveled Europe frequently and lectured, expressing his ideas-said to be brought by his clairvoyance-on history, mythology, literature, science, medicine, education, and other fields. Although he described himself as a scientist, he was rarely mentioned as a significant contributor to science, and is not as well known to the scientific community. He described Atlantis and the Atlanteans with intricate detail, and referred to them as “our ancestors”, in his book, titled “Our Atlantean Ancestors”. I this work he describes their style of thinking, and how our style is focused on “concepts”, and how their style is more centered on “images”; which, Rudolph explained, allowed them to remember close or identical situations very vividly, and helped to determine their judgment. This meant, as Rudolph describes, they lacked the ability to think logically.
