For over two millennia, the legend of Atlantis has captivated human imagination like few other mysteries. This lost civilization, first described by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato around 360 BCE, has inspired countless expeditions, theories, and works of fiction. Yet despite thousands of years of speculation and investigation, Atlantis remains tantalizingly elusive, existing somewhere between historical possibility and mythological fantasy.
The story begins with Plato's dialogues "Timaeus" and "Critias," where he presents Atlantis not as fiction, but as historical fact passed down through generations. According to his account, the Egyptian priest Solon learned of this advanced civilization from priests in the city of Sais, who claimed their records stretched back thousands of years. These priests spoke of a mighty island nation that existed 9,000 years before their time, placing Atlantis in the realm of 11,500 years ago from our current perspective.
Plato's Atlantis was no primitive society. He described a sophisticated civilization with advanced engineering, magnificent architecture, and a complex political system. The Atlanteans had constructed elaborate canal systems, built temples covered in precious metals, and developed a powerful navy that dominated the Mediterranean region. Their capital city was arranged in concentric circles of land and water, with the royal palace situated on a central island surrounded by rings of canals and harbors.