Steff:
Is Atlantis a thriving, technologically advanced city of super humans?
Sophi:
The legend of Atlantis, a city purported to be technologically advanced and possibly inhabited by beings of superior intellect and capabilities, has captivated the imagination of many through the ages. The source of this enigmatic tale is the Athenian philosopher Plato, who mentioned Atlantis in his dialogues “Timaeus” and “Critias” around 360 BCE. According to Plato, Atlantis was a naval power lying “in front of the Pillars of Hercules” that conquered many parts of Western Europe and Africa 9,000 years before his time. However, following its failed attempt to invade Athens, Atlantis sank into the ocean “in a single day and night of misfortune.”
Over the centuries, the story of Atlantis has been embellished and reinterpreted, leading to a wide range of theories about its existence and characteristics. The idea of Atlantis being a thriving city of superhumans with advanced technology is a modern embellishment that reflects our era’s fascination with progress and the potential of human or even alien ingenuity. There’s no historical evidence to support the existence of such a civilization as described in these more fantastical accounts, but the allure of Atlantis has not waned.
Speculative theories about Atlantis range from the plausible to the outlandishly sci-fi. Some suggest that if Atlantis did exist, it might have been the Minoan civilization on Crete, known for its impressive architecture, advanced societal structure, and the tragic end due to a volcanic eruption. Others propose that Atlantis was located in regions as diverse as the Caribbean, Antarctica, or even the Sahara Desert, transformed over millennia from a lush paradise to a barren landscape.
The notion of superhumans residing in Atlantis ties into the broader human fascination with the idea of beings possessing abilities beyond our current capabilities. This includes everything from enhanced physical strength and longevity to advanced psychic powers and superior technological prowess. Such concepts are often explored in the realms of science fiction and speculative fiction, where the boundaries of reality are stretched to imagine what might be possible.
In terms of technology, Atlantis is often depicted as a society that could harness the power of crystals, engage in advanced engineering and architecture, and possibly even possess the ability to travel or communicate across great distances or dimensions. These ideas, while captivating, are not grounded in archaeological evidence but rather in the realm of alternative history and science fiction.
In conclusion, the tale of Atlantis serves as a mirror to our own hopes and anxieties about human potential and our civilization’s future. It embodies the eternal quest for knowledge, the consequences of hubris, and the mystery of lost histories. While the search for Atlantis continues in both scholarly and popular contexts, it remains a symbol of humanity’s desire to discover hidden truths and imagine what might lie beyond the boundaries of our current understanding. Whether Atlantis was real or merely a philosophical allegory crafted by Plato, its story invites us to dream and speculate about the unknown, making it an enduring legend that continues to fascinate and inspire.
Steff:
Please remind us briefly what Plato said about Atlantis.
Sophi:
Plato’s account of Atlantis appears in two of his dialogues, “Timaeus” and “Critias,” which are among the only primary sources that mention this legendary island. According to Plato, Atlantis was a powerful and advanced island nation located beyond the “Pillars of Hercules,” which is generally interpreted as the Strait of Gibraltar, marking the boundary between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. He described Atlantis as larger than Asia Minor and Libya combined.
The story of Atlantis is presented as an account passed down to Solon, one of Athens’ great statesmen, by Egyptian priests during his travels in Egypt. These priests described Atlantis as a thriving civilization that existed 9,000 years before Plato’s time, making it ancient even to the Greeks of Plato’s era. The civilization was said to be highly advanced, with impressive architecture, a complex system of canals, and a powerful navy.
Atlantis was portrayed as having a concentric layout, with alternating rings of water and land, including a formidable capital city with a central island surrounded by rings of water and land, fortified by walls clad in bronze, tin, and the mysterious orichalcum, a metal second only in value to gold. The Atlanteans were described as a noble and powerful people, endowed with wealth and military might, who eventually became morally corrupt and greedy.
Plato narrates that Atlantis attempted to conquer the entire known world, including parts of Europe and Africa, but was ultimately repelled by the ancestral Athenians in a great battle. Shortly after their military defeat, Atlantis fell out of favor with the deities, and in a single day and night of misfortune, the island was swallowed by the sea and vanished, leaving only a muddy shoal where it once lay. This sudden demise served as a moral lesson within Plato’s dialogues, illustrating the dangers of hubris and moral decay.
The accounts in “Timaeus” and “Critias” are often considered allegorical, intended to convey philosophical themes about the ideal state and the moral decay that leads to downfall. However, the vivid description of Atlantis has sparked centuries of speculation and exploration, with many attempting to locate the lost island and uncover its truths.
Steff:
Thank you Sophi. Do you have some good online resources to check out some of the more radical theories?
Sophi:
For those intrigued by the more radical theories surrounding the lost city of Atlantis, a delve into the myriad of speculations can be quite the adventure. Here’s a brief overview of some of the fascinating ideas that have been proposed over the years:
- Mid-Atlantic Continent Theory: Ignatius Donnelly, in his 1882 book, posited that Atlantis was a real continent in the mid-Atlantic, which sank due to shifting ocean waters. This theory adheres closely to Plato’s description but has been challenged by modern oceanography and plate tectonics.
- Bermuda Triangle Connection: Charles Berlitz suggested Atlantis was near the Bahamas, swallowed by the Bermuda Triangle. This theory was bolstered by underwater formations found near Bimini, though scientists have identified these as natural beach-rock formations.
- Antarctic Theory: Proposed by Charles Hapgood, this idea posits that Atlantis was a temperate version of Antarctica, shifted to its current frigid location due to the Earth’s crust shifting, leading to the civilization’s doom.
- Black Sea Flood Inspiration: Another speculation is that the story of Atlantis was inspired by the flooding of the Black Sea around 5600 B.C., an event that could have spread tales leading to Plato’s narrative.
- Minoan Civilization: Some scholars link Atlantis to the Minoan civilization, which flourished on Crete and Thera (now Santorini) and met a sudden demise possibly due to a massive volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunamis around 1600 B.C.
- Plato’s Allegory: The most widely accepted view among historians and scientists is that Plato invented Atlantis as an allegorical tale to convey philosophical ideas, with no evidence of its actual existence found to date.
Additional intriguing theories include:
- Spartel Island as Inspiration: Jacques Collina-Girard discovered a submerged island called Spartel, matching the timing and location Plato described for Atlantis, suggesting it might have inspired the story.
- Ireland as Atlantis: Ulf Erlingsson theorized that Ireland, with its ancient megaliths and kings, matched Plato’s description and that the tale of Atlantis sinking was a mix-up with the story of the Dogger Bank’s disappearance.
- New World Connection: European discovery of the New World sparked theories linking Atlantis with America, including attempts to tie the origins of civilizations like the Aztecs to the lost city.
Each of these theories, from the scientifically grounded to the wildly speculative, illustrates the enduring fascination with Atlantis. They reflect our collective desire to uncover lost histories, challenge our understanding of the past, and imagine possibilities beyond the conventional. While evidence for these theories varies widely in credibility, the legend of Atlantis continues to inspire exploration, debate, and wonder.
