Atlantis is one of the greatest legends of this or any other age. But
what are the origins of the story and how far back do they go?
Origins of story:
Amazingly, the fact we have any clue at all of such an islands existence is down to the diligence of just one person - the Greek philosopher Plato.
Writing in the 4th century BC, his Timaeus and Critias provides a tantalising outline of a great island that once existed beyond the Pillars of Hercules. This island, inhabited by a god-like race wielded enormous power and influence. Initially this power was used to great benefit, but eventually Atlantis grew steadily corrupt. According to Plato it's end came during a period of intense volcanic activity when the island literally vanished beneath the waves.
Source material.
Plato derived his source material from the friend of a friend - Solon, who travelled extensively throughout Egypt. There he was taken into the confidence of priests from the
Temple of Sais. They told him of sacred records relating to a great island westwards of the Pillars of Hercules. These spoke of its physical size and dimensions, it's location with respect to America and
Europe, as well as a detailed outline of its customs and traditions. According to the priests, the immense catastrophe that destroyed the island occurred over 9000 years beforehand. '
