Despite our heightened knowledge of the past, there remains a wealth of undiscovered history from ancient civilizations. From the enigmatic wisdom of the Mayans to the astonishing Egyptian constructions, there’s still much to uncover. Among the greatest mysteries is that of Atlantis, a sunken city shrouded in legend for over two millennia. This video delves into the Atlantis enigma, aiming to uncover the truth.
The earliest references to Atlantis come from two Socratic dialogues, Timaeus and Critias, scribed by Plato, the Greek philosopher, around 360 BC. These dialogues were intended for a speech during festivities honoring the goddess Athena. They recounted stories passed down to Socrates by guests, particularly one from Critias. This account relayed the experiences of Critias’ grandfather, who had encountered the Athenian poet Solon. Solon, in turn, had conversed with Egyptian priests. These priests spoke of a formidable ancient civilization based on an island in the Atlantic Ocean, which held dominion over other islands and territories spanning Africa and Europe. The city was intricately designed with concentric rings of land and water, boasting grand baths, a colossal harbor, and well-furnished barracks. The Atlanteans were unparalleled in their engineering prowess, boasting a canal system and irrigation network that nurtured fertile lands. Their society mirrored others of the era, with monarchs, a civil administration, and a potent military. Their power drove them to expand, launching a campaign across Asia and Europe. Only Athens possessed the resources to repel this invasion. Soon after, natural disasters caused Atlantis to be swallowed by the sea, vanishing forever.
The question remains: is this account fact or fiction? Many historians believe Plato used the Atlantis story as allegory, employing it to illustrate a point about overcoming adversity. The depiction of the Atlanteans’ aggressive behavior may actually be a commentary on the Persians or Carthaginians of the time. The notion of an island cataclysmically disappearing might have been influenced by the eruption of Minoan Santorini around 1600 BC, which devastated Thera and affected settlements as far as Egypt. Yet, some argue that Plato’s writings hold more historical accuracy than initially perceived. Plato asserted it was a true tale and even provided a precise date for Atlantis’s demise—around 9,600 BC. This aligns with a significant geological event known as “Meltwater Pulse 1b,” linked to a global sea level rise due to ice sheet melting.
The Egyptian connection to Atlantis is intriguing. References to Atlantis, or “Aha-Men-Ptah,” are prevalent in funerary texts, associating it with the West, where the deceased were interred. This dovetails with descriptions of Atlantis as the ‘white island’ with numerous pyramids. Additionally, the Inventory Stela from 1850 suggests Pharaoh Khufu may have merely discovered and restored the Sphinx.
Other cultures also mention Atlantis. Berber tribes, Vikings, Babylonians, and ancient Indian texts refer to a powerful ancient city. Various underwater remains globally hint at lost civilizations, with some pointing to the coast of Africa, near the Canary Islands, as a potential Atlantis location. However, conclusive evidence for Atlantis’s existence remains elusive, leaving it as a symbol in the quest for the origins of civilization.
In conclusion, while Atlantis’s existence remains unproven, the allure of an advanced ancient civilization persists. With vast uncharted expanses of the ocean, the possibility of discovering such treasures remains open, including the fabled Atlantis. The concept of an advanced ancient civilization is one I firmly endorse.