Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher from whom we learn the
legend of Atlantis. He writes of it in two books, Timaeus
and Critias. It is speculated that he heard the story from
relatives who were friends of a Greek politician named Solon.
It was Solon who had visited Egypt
and heard it there from a priestess.
Click on Plato's picture for more information on his life and philosophy.
Read below a couple of excerpts from Plato's writing.
"Many great and wonderful deeds are recorded of your state (Athens) in our histories but one of them exceeds all the rest in greatness and valor. For these histories tell of a mighty power which unprovoked made an expedition against the whole of Europe and Asia. This power came forth out of the Atlantic Ocean for in those days the Atlantic was navigable and there was an island situated in front of the straits which are by you called the Pillars of Heracles, the island was larger than Libya and Asia put together and was the way to other islands and from these you might pass to the whole of the opposite continent which surrounded the true ocean; for this sea which is within the straits of Hercules is only a harbor having a narrow entrance but that other is a true sea."
- From Plato's book Timaeus
"They had such an enormous amount of wealth as was never before possessed by kings and potentates and is not likely ever to be again. Because of the greatness of their empire many things were brought to them from foreign countries....They went on constructing their temples and palaces and harbours and docks... First of all they bridged over the zones of the sea which surrounded the ancient metropolis."
- From Plato's book Critias
According to Plato, Atlantis was first founded by a mix of gods and mortals. The god Poseidon married the mortal woman Cleito and she gave birth to five sons and founded Atlantis. The people of Atlantis were sort of a superhuman race. They were very enlightened and advanced. Their military was invincible and they conquered all the lands around them. As a result of being so strong and intelligent they became very wealthy. They built spectacular temples and palaces and generally lived the good life. Soon enough however, their human instincts got the best of them and they became very proud and greedy. As punishment the gods decided to destroy Atlantis in a huge earthquake and overnight the civilization disappeared.