Uncovering Atlantis' True Purpose

The Real Location of Atlantis: A Warning, Not a History On January 10, 1882, Friedrich Nietzsche wrote to his friend Paul Rée, questioning the historical accuracy of Plato's account of Atlantis. Nietzsche's skepticism was rooted in his understanding of Plato's philosophical intentions, which differed from those of modern historians. Specifically, Plato's student, Aristotle, noted in 350 BCE that his teacher's writings often aimed to convey moral and philosophical lessons rather than historical facts.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Plato's story of Atlantis, as told in his dialogues Timaeus and Critias, is a historical account of a lost city, hidden deep within the Mediterranean. The standard story goes that Atlantis was a powerful and advanced civilization that existed around 9000 BCE, but was lost in a catastrophic event. This narrative has been passed down for centuries, with many attempting to find the real location of the fabled city. However, a closer examination of Plato's texts and historical context reveals a more complex and nuanced interpretation.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Julia Annas argues in her 1981 book "An Introduction to Plato's Republic" that Plato's story of Atlantis was not meant to be a historical account, but rather a warning about the dangers of imperialism and the corrupting influence of power. On May 5, 347 BCE, Plato founded the Academy in Athens, where he taught his students, including Aristotle, about the importance of ethics and morality in governance. The city of Atlantis was intentionally described as a fictional place, located beyond the "Pillars of Hercules" (the modern-day Strait of Gibraltar), to serve as a metaphor for the dangers of unchecked power and greed. In his book "The Laws", written around 348 BCE, Plato critiques the notion of a utopian society, instead emphasizing the importance of a well-governed city-state. Meanwhile, the Greek historian Herodotus, in his book "The Histories" (published around 440 BCE), writes about the real cities and empires of the ancient world, without any mention of Atlantis, further supporting the idea that Plato's story was not meant to be taken as historical fact. By examining the historical context and Plato's philosophical intentions, it becomes clear that the story of Atlantis was a thought experiment, designed to illustrate the importance of moral and philosophical principles in governance, rather than a historical account of a lost city.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Edward Gibbon and Voltaire deliberately downplayed the significance of Plato's story, viewing it as a mere allegory rather than a warning. The Catholic Church also played a role in suppressing the story, as it conflicted with their own narrative of creation and the flood. The decision to exclude Plato's works from the curriculum of medieval universities, made by scholars like Thomas Aquinas, further ensured that the story of Atlantis was not widely studied or discussed. As a result, the story was relegated to the realm of myth and fantasy, and its connection to real events was lost. The fact that many of Plato's original manuscripts were destroyed or lost over the centuries, particularly during the destruction of the Library of Alexandria, also contributed to the story's obscurity. Scholars who attempted to revive interest in the story, such as the 16th-century historian Johannes Kepler, were often dismissed as eccentric or unorthodox.

The Ripple Effect

The suppression of the story of Atlantis had concrete consequences, particularly in the field of archaeology. The lack of interest in Plato's story meant that many potential archaeological sites were not fully explored or excavated, and the search for Atlantis was not taken seriously. For example, the ancient city of Thonis-Heraklion, discovered in the Mediterranean in 2000, was only found because a team of archaeologists decided to investigate a site that had been previously overlooked. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of ancient civilizations and their interactions with the environment.

The Line That Says It All

The destruction of the Library of Alexandria in 48 BCE resulted in the loss of countless historical records, including those that could have shed light on the true location of Atlantis.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to ancient Greek philosophy and archaeology.