Was There Really An Atlantis?

[Arion]

We've been learning about this in my Classical Civs class when we were reading Plato, and there are so many fascinating theories out there about where it is and what could it have been like, it's fun to think about. I like to think it did exist, just because it's more fun that way.

The most likely theory is that th Atlantis myth came from the island of Thera/Santorini in the Mediterranean, although Plato's original writings gave the impression it was much larger than that, and that it was on the Atlantic across from the Pillars of Heracles, which is assumed to be the straights of Gibraltar. This could be a mistranslation, though, since it was an Egyptian priest who was telling the story to Solon, who was Greek. Apparently there was also a massive volcanic explosion on Thera that could have given rise to the myths of Atlantis. The ancient city of Akrotiri on Thera is void of any human remains, it looks evacuated. It is siad to be a Minoan settlement, it could be the source of the Atlantis myth, as well.

Edgar Cayce, the famous psychic said it was located at the Canary Islands in the Carribean, and although a lot of his predictions were right on, I don't know about this one. I don't see how the Greeks and Egytpians could have known about a civilization in the Carribean.

Antarctica is another option, since it's the right size and shape, but wrong location, although some people suggested it's moved over time. The ice on it doesn't seem to have changed in about 40 000 years though, so it can't be Atlantis.

Anyway, what do you think?

[AtlantisRemembered]

Yes, there was really an Atlantis *points to username*

This (http://www.crystalinks.com/atlantis.html) is a good site for a bit of research, if you're interested.

[Zibblsnrt]

We've been learning about this in my Classical Civs class when we were reading Plato, and there are so many fascinating theories out there about where it is and what could it have been like, it's fun to think about. I like to think it did exist, just because it's more fun that way.

Considering that, to my knowledge, Plato or references to Plato are the only places in the source material which discuss Atlantis, I'm pretty confident that it doesn't and never did exist. These days it seems more like a symbol upon which people want to hang just about anything.

Basically, the next bit of real evidence I see for its existence, the next even slightly compelling thing that survives serious examination without using conspiracy theorizing as a defense, will be the first.

It was a metaphor, a symbol - nothing more.

[Trithemius]

Edgar Cayce, the famous psychic said it was located at the Canary Islands in the Carribean, and although a lot of his predictions were right on, I don't know about this one. I don't see how the Greeks and Egytpians could have known about a civilization in the Carribean.

Minor point, but the Canary Islands aren't in the Caribbean. They're off the Northwest coast of Africa.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Localizaci%C3%B3n_de_Canarias.png/300px-Localizaci%C3%B3n_de_Canarias.png

[Arion]

Minor point, but the Canary Islands aren't in the Caribbean. They're off the Northwest coast of Africa.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Localizaci%C3%B3n_de_Canarias.png/300px-Localizaci%C3%B3n_de_Canarias.png

Oh snap, that's right. Canary Islands were another possible Atlantis location we looked at, but I meant to say Bimini was where Edgar Cayce predicted Atlantis would be found. Bimini, not Canary. Oops!

[Brightshores]

I do think there's something to the Santorini/Thira theory. I've been to Akrotiri on Thira. It was really cool. It's an entire city that is slowly emerging from its rocky tomb.. there are these giant amphorae sitting around, beautifully painted, and the houses are still there, complete with window openings and facades. Fascinating place.

The island is quite definitely volcanic. The volcano is still active, and as far as From the island of Thira proper, you can see the caldera smouldering away in the center of the bay, and you can take boat trips out there. We didn't go out to the caldera when we were there; the day we were going to do it there was a huge group of scantily clad and really loud male models going out there for a photo shoot. (Long story that is extremely funny, but I won't bore you with it now. :lol:)

As far as the mystical/magickal associations, I honestly don't know enough about the theories to comment.

[Ben Gruagach]

I've always believe the Santorini/Thera theory myself. And since Plato was just writing down a passed-on story rather than something he had witnessed firsthand, or was recording from actual witness testimony, it's not surprising that some of the details would be off (specifically, inflated numbers as stories are always more impressive if they're made bigger.)

[Fyre_Nymph]

I've always believed in Atlantis being down in the Caribbean, more specifically, the theory that says that present day Cuba is the mountain range of what once was Atlantis. There's been plenty of evidence pointing there, and I feel that there might actually be a link.
Besides, on something I was reading on many of the scientists who were searching for Atlantis, there was a complex trade system that involved the Mayans and an unknown group of people. Yes, it's a fairly long time after Plato's description of it, but I feel it's always a possibility.

[Garm]

This has turned up and might be revalent

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/188576

[Catiana]

I've always believe the Santorini/Thera theory myself. And since Plato was just writing down a passed-on story rather than something he had witnessed firsthand, or was recording from actual witness testimony, it's not surprising that some of the details would be off (specifically, inflated numbers as stories are always more impressive if they're made bigger.)



I agree with this. I saw an episode of Digging for the Truth on the History Channel, that talked about this theory, and it made a lot of sense.

[omar]

There is generaly some truth in all myths. I believe. Go back in your psychic? A past life for gotten?

[Lauren Michele]

Yes, Donovan sang so.:)

[Cassie]

Considering that, to my knowledge, Plato or references to Plato are the only places in the source material which discuss Atlantis, I'm pretty confident that it doesn't and never did exist. These days it seems more like a symbol upon which people want to hang just about anything.

Basically, the next bit of real evidence I see for its existence, the next even slightly compelling thing that survives serious examination without using conspiracy theorizing as a defense, will be the first.

It was a metaphor, a symbol - nothing more.
A metaphor or a symbol for what do you think?

There were in fact several volcanic islands that did disappear in times past in the Mediteranian and other parts of the world. Some theories suggest that some of these could also be the source of the great flood legands. (The flooding of the Black Sea for example).
My theory is that what we now associate with Atlantis is a mish-mash of various ancient legends, but could be substancially based on fact. I don't find it hard to believe that there was one or more very evolved ancient civilisation(s) which may have influenced the development of those we know more about.

[Zibblsnrt]

A metaphor or a symbol for what do you think?

Plato's take on it was mainly an allegory about the costs of hubris. Nowadays? Whatever people seem to want it to be.

I never understood how the ideas that it was some extraterrestrial civilization, or that they had some stupendously beyond-us technology which is always precisely described but never attributed to any sources, etc., has gotten so entrenched. There's a whole lot of in-my-opinions and I-think-thats, but when push comes to shove there's no evidence for any of that.

Might there have been something in the Mediterranean or Aegean that was slightly more advanced than their contemporaries (i.e., not some industrialized or magical civilization far in advance of us)? Maybe. That's as far as I'm personally willing to take it, given the evidence.

[omar]

Atlantis blew its self up in a civil war that used weapons more powerfull than any atomic bomb we have today. Lemuria a continunt in the Pacific sank into the sea because the earth shifted on its axes. They say right now the magnetic plole is slowly moving towards Siberia when it move a little more it will cause the earth to shift on its axes again in about Dec, 2011. Sleap tight.

[Tranquility]

You spelled sleep wrong.

[Zibblsnrt]

You spelled sleep wrong.

Off-topicness aside, was posting that really necessary?

[Cassie]

I never understood how the ideas that it was some extraterrestrial civilization, or that they had some stupendously beyond-us technology which is always precisely described but never attributed to any sources, etc., has gotten so entrenched. There's a whole lot of in-my-opinions and I-think-thats, but when push comes to shove there's no evidence for any of that.
A mixture of Erik Von Daniken and a mixture of 'channeled' esoteric material acount for most of those ideas I think. I happen to think some of that material might be true but I have to admit there is no hard archeological evidence to support such things as far as I know.


Might there have been something in the Mediterranean or Aegean that was slightly more advanced than their contemporaries (i.e., not some industrialized or magical civilization far in advance of us)? Maybe. That's as far as I'm personally willing to take it, given the evidence.
I believe it might have been more than that, but as far as the facts are concerned I think you have hit the nail on the head.


Atlantis blew its self up in a civil war that used weapons more powerfull than any atomic bomb we have today. Lemuria a continunt in the Pacific sank into the sea because the earth shifted on its axes.
I'm fascinated by Atlantis and Lemuria and quite a believer too, but I think assertations like that are a bit meaningless without some facts or good arguements to back it up.

[omar]

There are hundreds of referances to both continuets in the Old Hindu writtings. There is also the story of Shiva? Flying in a space ship to rescue Sita & a space or star ship that could carry 1,000 troops. All in these old writtings. Look it up. This "golden age" was far more advanced than we are now.