The Pillars Of Hercules in Antigua<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhere Was Atlantis Located According to Plato?<\/h2>\n
Plato\u2019s books are not clear on the location of Atlantis, though there are many theories. Studies have shown that the bottom of parts of the Atlantic Ocean show evidence of once being above water. Some believe that the island Santorini, which was destroyed by a volcano in 1600 B.C, was Atlantis. Plato\u2019s writings do include some clues to the location however:<\/p>\n
\u201csituated in front of the straits which are by you called the Pillars of Heracles [the Straits of Gibraltar]. 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\u201d<\/em> (Timaeus 25e).<\/p>\nThe Pillars of Hercules are Located between Europe and Morocco and are pieces of land called promontories, which are pieces of land that jut out from the side of the coast. According to Greek mythology they were placed there by Hercules. This has been interpreted by many to suggest that Atlantis was located near that part of the world.<\/p>\n
The Fall of Atlantis<\/h2>\n
According to Plato, Atlantis reach its demise around 9600 B.C. The nation destroyed itself as a result of the irreverent use of dangerous supernatural powers. Shortly after its failed attempt at conquering Athens, a series of earthquakes sunk Atlantis into the ocean, completing wiping it off the face of the earth.<\/p>\n
\u201cin a single day and night \u2026 disappeared into the depths of the sea.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Plato<\/p>\nThe cataclysm was created by the gods In response to the Atlanteans growing materialism and lack of reverence, and in a single cataclysmic night they sent fire and earthquakes that made Atlantis sink into the ocean, completely destroying the civilization.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter having undergone the very extremity of danger, she defeated and triumphed over the invaders, and preserved from slavery those who were not yet subjugated, and generously liberated all the rest of us who dwell within the Pillars. But afterward there occurred violent earthquakes and floods, and in a single day and night of misfortune all your warlike men in a body sank into the earth, and the island of Atlantis in like manner disappeared in the depths of the sea. For which reason the sea in those parts is impassable and impenetrable, because there is a shoal of mud in the way, and this was caused by the subsidence of the island\u201d<\/em> (Timaeus 25c-d)<\/p>\nAtlantis as an Allegory<\/h2>\n
Interpretations of Plato\u2019s writing on Atlantis are split, with some taking it to be a literal description of a real place, while the majority see his writing as being a fictional story in which Plato intended to make a philosophical statement. When viewed as a legend or myth, a meaning can be found in the story of Atlantis. it represents a failed utopia which teaches us a lesson about how to properly conduct a state. It is the story of highly ethical and spiritually enlightened people who lost their way by becoming greedy, corrupt and gluttonous. Their ways lead them to their demise, as they stop living in harmony, and their civilization is destroyed by earthquakes that sink them into the ocean.<\/p>\n
Other interpretations point out its commentary on wealth vs modesty, and maritime vs agrarian societies, as it describes the smaller but ethical state triumphing over the larger corrupt aggressor.<\/p>\n
Atlantis Found<\/h2>\n
Over the years there have been many claims that Atlantis has been found. Perhaps most popularly known is the claimed discovery off the coast of Spain. Other researchers dispute this claim, as well as all other claims, in part pointing to the fact that the Mediterranean ocean is full of the ruins of previous other civilizations.<\/p>\n
Searches for Atlantis continue to this day. In recent years a company called Merlin Borrows has been looking off the coast of Spain, referencing historical records and combining with satellite data. Focusing on a region of Spain just inland of the coast called Do\u00f1ana National Park, they discovered large circles that they believe could be the base of Atlantean temples. They also claim to have found evidence of cataclysmic events that could be related to the end of Atlantis.<\/p>\n
In 2009 and 2010 an American team continued the search just north of the city of Cadiz, in Spain. Using deep-ground radar, and digital mapping, they surveyed a marshland region of Spain called Dona Ana park.<\/p>\n