Nicholas roerich - the myth of atlantis. Legends of Atlantis Myth of Atlantis read summary

History of Atlantis: myths, speculation, mysteries and real facts

For more than one generation of researchers have been controversial about the existence of Atlantis - the mighty ancient state, once and for all disappeared from the face of the Earth. Interest in this topic arose after the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato saw the light. It was Plato who first wrote about Atlantis, described the ancient civilization, the strength and power of the Atlanteans. Was it a deliberately and skillfully created myth, or are we dealing with a description of real facts ancient history human civilization - remains a mystery. Neither before nor after was it possible to obtain and find evidence of the existence of the Atlantean state. The secrets of Atlantis remain unsolved until now, forcing historians to put forward new hypotheses, and researchers to look for the place of the disappeared island-state on the map of the planet.

The civilization of Atlantis is a source of controversy

Today about a lost mighty civilization the ancient world a huge number of works have been written, from poetic essays and literary descriptions to serious scientific treatises. In each case, one has to deal with a huge set of assumptions and hypotheses that the ancient world looked different from what the current map of the world looks like. Another new hypothesis gives rise to a new myth, which instantly acquires new details, assumptions and details. Another thing is the complete absence of facts capable of giving an answer to the question: did Atlantis exist in reality or not. This meager research material remains the domain of science fiction writers and atlantologists. Skeptics believe that the history of Atlantis is an artificially created phenomenon in historical modern science.

It is necessary to consider the problem of Atlantis in two aspects: from the point of view of the historical epic, and using a scientific approach. In the first case, you have to deal with the evidence base and materials, the existence of which is never disputed by anyone. The palm in this area belongs to the works of Plato. The ancient Greek philosopher mentioned the mighty state of antiquity in the dialogues "Critias" and "Timaeus", which were compiled on the basis of the diaries of another prominent ancient Greek scientist philosopher Solon, who was Plato's great-grandfather. With the light hand of Plato, the name of the ancient state appeared, and its inhabitants began to be called Atlanteans.

In his notes and books, the ancient philosopher relied on the legend according to which the ancient Greeks fought against the Atlantean state. The end of the confrontation was put by a grand cataclysm that led to the death of Atlantis. According to the ancients, it was this catastrophe that led to the fact that the island city of Atlantis disappeared forever from the face of the planet. What kind of catastrophe on a planetary scale led to such consequences is still not known and proven. Another question is that in the scientific community on this moment there is a point of view that 12 thousand years BC. the world really befell major disaster that changed the geography of the planet.

Plato's dialogue "Timaeus" quite accurately indicates the location of the Atlantean country, is full of descriptions of the details of the culture and life of the Atlanteans. Thanks to the efforts of the ancient Greek philosopher, the disappeared civilization is stubbornly searched for in the Atlantic Ocean. Just one phrase "opposite the Pillars of Hercules", recorded by Plato, indicates the location legendary country... There are no more accurate data on the location of the mysterious ancient state, so many researchers of this topic believe that Atlantis could have been in any other part of the ancient world.

The inconsistency of many of the facts set forth in Plato's works posed a number of questions for subsequent generations. The main secrets of Atlantis are as follows:

• whether there is a high probability of the existence of an island of such a large size, traces of which are almost completely absent today;
• what kind of catastrophe that occurred in antiquity could lead to the instant death of a large state;
• could in such ancient times exist a civilization with such a high level of development, which is attributed to the Atlanteans by ancient and modern researchers;
• why today there are no real traces from the past, testifying to the existence of Atlantis;
• are we descendants of the highly developed culture of the Atlanteans.

How Atlantis was seen by the contemporaries of the ancient Greeks

Studying Plato's works, one can briefly summarize the information that has come down to us. We are dealing with the history of the existence and mystical disappearance of a large archipelago or a large island, which was located in the west of the then ancient world. Central city superpower was Atlantis, owing its name to the first king of the state of Atlanta. Island location explains state structure empire. Probably Atlantis, like many cities of ancient Greece, was an alliance of island rulers united under imperial rule. Perhaps in Atlantis there was a different state system, but in the dialogues of Plato, the names of the kings are given, after whom other islands of the empire are named. Hence, ancient civilization took the form of a union or confederation.

Another question is detailed description Plato of the life of a mysterious state. All the main buildings and structures of the state are located on the central island. Acropolis, royal palace and the temples are protected by several rows of earthen ramparts and a system of water canals. The inner regions of the island are connected to the sea by a huge shipping channel, so we can safely say that the power of Atlantis was focused on achieving sea power. Moreover, according to Plato, the Atlanteans worship Poseidon (the ancient Greek god, the ruler of the seas and oceans - the brother of Zeus). In Plato, the temples of the Atlanteans, their architecture and the arrangement of dwellings shine with luxury and wealth. Reaching the shores of Atlantis, surrounded on all sides by water, and the way to the island lay only by sea, was not an easy task for the sailors of that time.

Plato in his narratives is very keen on describing the improvement of the capital of the Atlanteans. The most interesting thing in this aspect is that the descriptions of the ancient Greek philosopher strongly resemble the descriptions of other ancient Greek cities found in other ancient sources. The described infrastructure, weapons, ships, religion and lifestyle of the inhabitants of Atlantis look like the height of human excellence and a model of well-being.

The mystery of Atlantis in Plato's descriptions is present at every step. Is it not surprising that people live far from the centers of civilization known to the then world, but they have a sufficiently high level of development, can make long sea voyages, trade with everyone around, eat spices and other cultures. The Atlanteans have a powerful army and a large fleet capable of confronting the armies of the ancient states of the Mediterranean.

This should be the point. Only Plato was able to describe the life and structure of the legendary state so clearly and in detail. Finding other sources that would point to such facts was not, no, and probably will not be. Neither the Sumerians nor the ancient Egyptians said anything about a large state in the Western Hemisphere. The ancient ruins of the Indian civilizations of Northern and South America... Could such a powerful civilization be located in the Central Atlantic many years ago, about which there is still no real evidence?

Secrets of Atlantis: myths and legends versus real facts

Some researchers continue to feed the world with illusions that Atlantis really was. Following the lead of Plato, who pointed out the exact location of the island, researchers in search of Atlantis check the territories in the Azores region, in the Bahamas. This is facilitated by the consonance of the names of the Atlantic Ocean and the legendary island.

According to one version, Atlantis was located in the region of the Azores. Studies of the Ampere Seamount, located on the way from Europe to America, and the neighboring areas of the Atlantic Mid-Range Ridge, have not yielded any results. The geological and morphological structure of the seabed does not give reason to believe that a large geological formation existed in this area of ​​the earth's crust in ancient times. Even a gigantic cataclysm that wiped out so much large island or an archipelago, would leave behind undeniable evidence. If the island sank as a result of a successive chain of earthquakes and floods, then its remains could be found today.

Modern scientists do not have data on a major geological and tectonic catastrophe that befell the earth in antiquity. The biblical data on the global flood that befell the Earth and mankind takes us to a completely different era. All information, events and facts that speak in favor of the existence of Atlantis in this part the globe, do not stand up to criticism, if we rely on the theory proposed by Plato.

The supporters of another hypothesis - the Mediterranean one - have more compelling evidence in their favor. However, there are a number of controversial issues here as well. What were real boundaries such a powerful union, and where could such big Island or a small mainland. Western border known to people of that time of the world, runs along the Pillars of Hercules - now the Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic. Why, with such a richness of events and crampedness, the ancient world did not have cartographic data on the location of a large state that influenced the political and economic structure of the world. On the maps compiled by the ancient Greeks, Phoenicians and Egyptians that have survived to our times, the known areas are limited to the Mediterranean region, the territories of southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

Many atlantologists are increasingly agreeing that a civilization of this size could exist in the Eastern Mediterranean, in the investigated sphere of the political and economic interests of the ancient states. The disappearance of the island and the death of the Atlantean country can be linked to the catastrophic eruption of the Santorini volcano, which erupted around the 17th century BC. This hypothesis takes place, since it was during this period that the heyday of the Cretan state fell. According to this theory, the volcanic eruption not only destroyed half of the island of Thira, but also destroyed numerous city-states that existed in the region. If we put aside the question of names and the link to Plato's statements about the Pillars of Hercules, such a picture of the ancient world has a right to life.

In this context, the version about the existence of a powerful state in ancient times, competing with the ancient Greek city-states, perfectly coexists. The facts of the strongest cataclysm of that time were also noted in ancient sources. Today volcanologists and oceanologists reasonably consider this version of the death of Atlantis to be quite real. Scientists have found evidence that Minoan civilization really possessed enormous military power and had a high level of development, allowing it to wage confrontation with the Greek states.

Sparta and Athens are located 300-400 kilometers north of the islands of Thira and Crete, which are ideal for the location of the Atlantean state. The explosion of the volcano, which in one night destroyed a mighty power, destroyed the balance in the world that had existed until that moment. The consequences of such a large-scale disaster affected the entire Southern Europe, North Africa and the coast of the Middle East.

Versions in favor of a different location for the legendary power today have no basis. Researchers increasingly associate the existence of Atlantis with Plato's philosophical view of the existing world. This is echoed by other sources, in which the land of the Atlanteans is associated with other mythical territories and states that existed in the imagination of the ancient Greeks.

Hyperborea and Atlantis - ancient mythical states

When asked where to look for Atlantis today, the answer may sound prosaic. You have to search everywhere. It is possible to rely on ancient sources only in those cases when the question is raised about cultural heritage that has come down to our times. In the sense in which we perceive Atlantis today, as an imaginary country and a highly developed civilization, the ancient Greeks at one time represented Hyperborea. This mythical country located in the far north, a thousand kilometers from the coast Ancient Greece, was considered by the Greeks as the habitat of the Hyperboreans, the descendants of the gods. Is this not the Atlantis that Plato wanted to tell the world about while writing his treatises?

Hyperborean lands, according to modern scientists, should have been located on the territory of the present Scandinavian countries: in Iceland or in Greenland. The Greeks directly pointed out that even Apollo himself, the sun god, was considered the patron saint of this people. What are these lands, do they really exist? It was assumed that Hyperborea was a fictional country for the ancient Greeks, where perfect and powerful people live, the gods rest. The country that Apollo regularly visits may be the very Atlantis - the state to which the ancient Greeks aspired in their development.

The debate about whether the existence of Atlantis was a reality or a beautiful legend has not subsided for many centuries. On this occasion, a large number of the most controversial theories, but they were all based on information obtained from the texts of ancient Greek authors, none of whom had personally seen this mysterious island, but transmitted only information obtained from earlier sources. So how true is the legend of Atlantis and where did it come from in our modern world?

An island that has sunk into the abyss of the sea

First of all, let us clarify that under the word "Atlantis" it is customary to understand a certain fantastic (since there is no direct evidence of its existence) island located in the Atlantic Ocean. Its exact location is unknown. According to the most popular legend, Atlantis was located somewhere near the north west coast Africa, bordered by the Atlas Mountains chain, and near the Pillars of Hercules that flanked the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar.

The famous ancient Greek philosopher Plato placed it there in his dialogues (works written in the form of conversations between historical or fictional persons). On the basis of his works, a very popular legend about Atlantis was subsequently born. It says that around 9500 BC. NS. in the above area there was a terrible earthquake, as a result of which the island forever plunged into the depths of the ocean.

On that day, an ancient and highly developed civilization, created by the islanders, whom Plato calls "Atlanteans", perished. It should be noted right away that, due to similar names, they are sometimes mistakenly identified with the characters of ancient Greek mythology - the mighty titans holding the firmament on their shoulders. This mistake is so widespread that at the sight of the sculptures by the outstanding Russian sculptor A.I. Terebenev (see photo below), decorating the portico of the New Hermitage in St. Petersburg, many people have an association with heroes who once sunk deep into the seas.

The riddle that excites the minds of people

During the Middle Ages, the works of Plato, as well as most other ancient historians and philosophers, were consigned to oblivion, but already in the XIV-XVI centuries, called the Renaissance, interest in them, and at the same time in Atlantis and the legend associated with its existence , has increased rapidly. It does not weaken to this day, giving rise to heated scientific discussions. Scientists around the world are trying to find real evidence events described by Plato and a number of his followers, and to answer the question of what Atlantis really was - legend or reality?

The island, inhabited by people who created the highest, at that time, civilization, and then absorbed by the ocean is a mystery that excites the minds of people and encourages them to look for answers outside the real world. It is known that even in Ancient Greece, the legend of Atlantis gave impetus to many mystical teachings, and in modern history it inspired theosophical thinkers. The most famous of these are H.P. Blavatsky and A.P. Sinnett. The authors of all sorts of pseudoscientific and simply fantastic works of various genres, also appealing to the image of Atlantis, did not stand aside.

Where did the legend come from?

But let us return to the writings of Plato, since it is they that are the primary source that has sparked centuries of controversy and discussion. As mentioned above, the mention of Atlantis is contained in two of his dialogues, called "Timaeus" and "Critias". Both of them are devoted to the question of state structure and are conducted on behalf of his contemporaries: the Athenian politician Cretius, as well as two philosophers - Socrates and Timaeus. Immediately, we note that Plato makes a reservation that the primary source of all information about Atlantis is the story of the ancient Egyptian priests, which was orally passed down from generation to generation and finally reached him.

The troubles that befell the Atlanteans

The first of the dialogues contains a message from Cretius about the war between Athens and Atlantis. According to him, the island, whose army his compatriots had to face, was so large that its size surpassed all of Asia, which gives reason to rightfully call it a mainland. As for the state formed on it, it amazed everyone with its grandeur and, being unusually powerful, conquered Libya, as well as a significant territory of Europe, stretching as far as Tyrrenia (Western Italy).

In 9500 BC. NS. The Atlanteans, wishing to conquer Athens, brought down on them all the might of their formerly invincible army, but, despite the obvious superiority of forces, they could not achieve success. The Athenians repulsed the invasion and, defeating the enemy, returned freedom to the peoples who were until that time in slavery to the islanders. However, this misfortune did not recede from the prosperous and once prosperous Atlantis. The legend, or rather, the story of Cretius, which underlies it, tells further about a terrible natural disaster that completely destroyed the island and forced it to plunge into ocean depths... Literally within a day, the raging elements wiped out a huge continent from the face of the earth and put an end to the highly developed culture created on it.

Commune of Athenian rulers

The continuation of this story is the second dialogue that has come down to us, called "Kritiy". In it, the same Athenian politician tells in more detail about the two great states of antiquity, whose armies met on the battlefield shortly before the fatal flood. Athens, according to him, was a highly developed state so pleasing to the gods that, according to legend, the end of Atlantis was a foregone conclusion.

The description of the system of government that was arranged in it is very remarkable. According to the testimony of Cretius, on the Acropolis - a hill that still stands in the center of the Greek capital - there was a kind of commune, partly reminiscent of those that the founders of the communist movement drew in their imaginations. Everything in her was equally and everything was enough in abundance. But it was inhabited not by ordinary people, but by rulers and warriors who ensured the maintenance of the order they liked in the country. The laboring masses were only allowed to gaze with reverence at their shining heights and carry out the plans descended from there.

Arrogant Descendants of Poseidon

In the same treatise, the author contrasted the high-proud Atlanteans with the humble and virtuous Athenians. Their ancestor, as is clear from the writings of Plato, was the god of the seas himself, Poseidon. Once, having witnessed how an earthly girl named Kleito did not live in the waves of her young body, he was inflamed with passion and, evoking feelings in her, became the father of ten sons - demigods-demihumans.

The eldest of them, Atlas, was put in charge of the island, divided into nine parts, each of which was under the command of one of his brothers. In the future, his name was inherited not only by the island, but even by the ocean on which he was located. All of his brothers became the ancestors of dynasties that for many centuries lived and ruled on this fertile land. This is how the legend describes the birth of Atlantis as a powerful and sovereign state.

Island of abundance and wealth

In his essay, Plato also gives the dimensions of this legendary mainland island known to him. According to him, it reached 540 km in length and at least 360 km in width. Highest point This vast territory was a hill, the height of which the author does not specify, but writes that it was located about 9-10 km from the sea coast.

It was on it that the ruler's palace was built, which Poseidon himself surrounded with three land and two water defensive rings. Later, his Atlantean descendants threw bridges over them and dug additional channels through which ships could freely approach the berths located at the very walls of the palace. They also erected many temples on the central hill, richly decorated with gold and decorated with statues of the celestials and earthly rulers of Atlantis.

Myths and legends based on the writings of Plato are full of descriptions of the treasures owned by the descendants of the sea god, as well as the wealth of nature and fertility of the island. In the dialogues of the ancient Greek philosopher, it is mentioned, in particular, that, despite the dense population of Atlantis, wild animals lived very freely on its territory, among which there were even not yet tamed and not domesticated elephants. At the same time, Plato does not disregard many negative aspects of the life of the islanders, which caused the wrath of the gods and caused the catastrophe.

The end of Atlantis and the beginning of the legend

Peace and prosperity that reigned on it for many centuries collapsed overnight through the fault of the Atlanteans themselves. The author writes that as long as the inhabitants of the island put virtue above riches and honors, the celestials were supportive of them, but turned away from them as soon as the glitter of gold overshadowed spiritual values ​​in their eyes. Looking at how people, who had lost their divine essence, were filled with pride, greed and anger, Zeus did not want to restrain his anger and, having gathered other gods, gave them the right to pass their judgment. At this, the manuscript of the ancient Greek philosopher breaks off, but judging by the catastrophe that soon fell on the wicked proud, they were considered unworthy of mercy, which ultimately led to such a sad outcome.

The legends of Atlantis (or information about the events that actually happened - this remained unknown) attracted the attention of many ancient Greek historians and writers. In particular, the Athenian Gellanik, who lived in the 5th century BC. e., also describes this island in one of his writings, however, calling it somewhat differently - Atlantis - and not mentioning its death. However, modern researchers, for a number of reasons, believe that his story is related not to the lost Atlantis, but to Crete, which happily survived the centuries, in the history of which the sea god Poseidon also appears, who conceived a son from an earthly virgin.

It is curious that the name "Atlanteans" was applied by ancient Greek and Roman authors not only to the islanders, but also to the inhabitants of continental Africa. In particular, Herodotus, as well as a no less famous historian, is the name given to a certain tribe that lived in the Atlas Mountains near the ocean coast. These African Atlanteans were very militant and, being at a low stage of development, waged constant wars with foreigners, among whom were the legendary Amazons.

As a result, they were completely exterminated by their neighbors, the troglodytes, who, although they were in a semi-animal state, still managed to win. There is an opinion that Aristotle said on this occasion that it was not the military superiority of the savages that led to the death of the Atlantean tribe, but the creator of the world Zeus himself killed them for committed iniquities.

A figment of fantasy that has survived for centuries

The attitude of modern researchers to the information presented in Plato's dialogues and in the writings of a number of other authors is extremely skeptical. Most of them consider Atlantis to be a legend without any real justification. Their position is explained primarily by the fact that for many centuries no material evidence of its existence has been found. This is indeed the case. Archaeological data on the existence of such a developed civilization in West Africa or Greece.

It is also perplexing that the story, allegedly told to the world by the ancient Greek priests and then reaching Plato in oral retelling, was not reflected in any of the written monuments found on the banks of the Nile. This involuntarily suggests that the ancient Greek philosopher himself composed tragic story Atlantis.

He could easily borrow the beginning of the legend from the rich domestic mythology, in which the gods often became the founders of entire nations and continents. As for the tragic denouement of the plot, he needed it. The fictional island had to be destroyed to give the story external credibility. Otherwise, how could he explain to his contemporaries (and, of course, descendants) the absence of traces of his existence.

Researchers of antiquity pay attention to the fact that talking about the mysterious continent located near the western coast of Africa, and about its inhabitants, the author cites exclusively Greek names and geographical names... This is very strange and suggests that he invented them himself.

Tragic mistake

At the end of the article, we will cite several very amusing statements that are made today by zealous supporters of the historicity of Atlantis. As mentioned above, today it was raised on the shield by many supporters of occult movements and various kinds of mystics, who do not want to reckon with the absurdity of their own theories. They are not inferior to them and pseudoscientists trying to pass off their fabrications for the alleged discoveries they made.

For example, for last years on the pages of the press, as well as on the Internet, articles appeared more than once that the Atlanteans (whose existence the authors did not question) had achieved such high progress that they carried out extensive research activities in the field of nuclear physics. Even the disappearance of the continent itself without a trace is explained by the tragedy that occurred as a result of their unsuccessful nuclear test.

The legend of Atlantis - a sunken island where a highly developed civilization once existed, lived a strong, enlightened and happy people - the Atlanteans - has been worrying mankind for more than two thousand years. The only source of information about Atlantis is the writings of the ancient Greek scientist Plato, who lived in the 4th century BC. AD, written in the form of conversations-dialogues. In two such dialogues - "Timaeus" and "Critias" - Plato cites the story of his contemporary, writer and politician Critias about Atlantis - "a legend, albeit very strange, but completely reliable", which Critias heard in childhood from his grandfather, he - from the "wisest of the seven wise" Athenian legislator Solon, and Solon from the Egyptian priests. The Egyptian priests, based on ancient records, told that once in the "Atlantic Sea" (as the ocean was called then) there was a huge island - "more than Libya (that there is Africa) and Asia taken together. " On this island "a great and formidable power of kings was formed, whose power extended to the entire island and many other islands (...). In addition, they (...) ruled Libya to Egypt and Europe to Tyrrenia" (so at that time called Italy) The legend of Atlantis tells that in the original times, when the gods divided the land among themselves, this island went into the possession of Poseidon, the god of the seas. Poseidon settled there ten of his sons, born of the earthly woman Clito.

The eldest of them was called Atlanta, after his name the island was called Atlantis, and the sea - Atlantic. From Atlanta came the powerful and noble family of the kings of Atlantis. This genus "has collected such enormous riches, which had not yet happened in the possession of the kings, and even later it would be difficult for such to form." minerals were mined from it, including "one rock, which is now known only by name, (...) - the orichalcum rock, which was extracted from the ground in many places on the island and, after gold, was of the greatest value among the people of that time." on their island, beautiful cities with fortress walls, temples and palaces, built harbors and shipyards. Main city Atlantis was surrounded by several rows of earthen valvikanals - "rings of the sea". The city walls were covered, "kakmasti-koy", copper, tin and orichalcum, "emitting a fiery shine", and the houses were built of red, white and black stone. In the center of the city was erected a temple to Poseidon and Clito. The walls of the temple were faced with silver, the roof was covered with gold, and inside "an ivory ceiling, colored with gold, silver and orichalcum, was imagined to the eye. They also erected golden idols inside the temple - a god who, standing in a chariot, ruled six winged horses, and himself, according to enormous size, the crown touched the ceiling. "The Atlanteans were busy trading, the harbors of Atlantis" swarmed with ships and merchants from everywhere, which in their mass day and night deafened the area with shouts, knocks and mixed noise. " strong army and a fleet of twelve hundred warships. The code of law that Poseidon himself gave the Atlanteans was inscribed on a high orichalcum pillar set in the middle of the island. Atlantis was ruled by ten kings, each with their own part of the island.

Once every five or six years they gathered in front of this pillar and "consulted about common matters, or tried to find out if anyone had done any wrong, and performed judgment." Atlanteans were distinguished by nobility and a lofty way of thinking, "looking at everything except virtue, with disdain, they valued little that they had a lot of gold and other acquisitions, were indifferent to wealth as a burden, and did not fall to the ground in the intoxication of luxury, losing power over oneself. "But time passed - and the Atlanteans changed, filled with" the wrong spirit of self-interest and strength. " They began to use their knowledge and the achievements of their culture for evil. In the end, Zeus became angry with them and "in one day and a disastrous night (...) the island of Atlantis disappeared, plunging into the sea." According to Plato, this happened in the X millennium BC. Modern scholars argue that the destruction of the island was caused by a catastrophe caused by some of the man-made achievements of the ancient Atlanteans. Disputes about whether Atlantis actually existed or was invented by Plato, began in ancient times. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, a friend and disciple of Plato, argued that Atlantis was completely fictional (according to legend, it was on this occasion that Aristotle uttered the famous dictum: "Plato is my friend, but the truth is dearer") Nevertheless, many believed that Atlantis really existed and could To find its traces. Interest in Atlantis over the next centuries either faded, then reawakened, but never completely disappeared. It is estimated that by now about 3,600 scientific works have been written about Atlantis (not to mention numerous works of fiction).

History of Atlantis: myths, speculation, mysteries and real facts

More than one generation of researchers has been controversial about the existence of Atlantis - a mighty ancient state that has disappeared from the face of the Earth once and for all. Interest in this topic arose after the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato saw the light. It was Plato who first wrote about Atlantis, described the ancient civilization, the strength and power of the Atlanteans. Whether it was a deliberately and skillfully created myth, or whether we are dealing with a description of the real facts of the ancient history of human civilization, remains a mystery. Neither before nor after was it possible to obtain and find evidence of the existence of the Atlantean state. The secrets of Atlantis remain unsolved until now, forcing historians to put forward new hypotheses, and researchers to look for the place of the disappeared island-state on the map of the planet.

The civilization of Atlantis is a source of controversy

Today, a huge number of works have been written about the disappeared mighty civilization of the ancient world, from poetic essays and literary descriptions to serious scientific treatises. In each case, one has to deal with a huge set of assumptions and hypotheses that the ancient world looked different from what the current map of the world looks like. Another new hypothesis gives rise to a new myth, which instantly acquires new details, assumptions and details. Another thing is the complete absence of facts capable of giving an answer to the question: did Atlantis exist in reality or not. This meager research material remains the domain of science fiction writers and atlantologists. Skeptics believe that the history of Atlantis is an artificially created phenomenon in historical modern science.

It is necessary to consider the problem of Atlantis in two aspects: from the point of view of the historical epic, and using a scientific approach. In the first case, you have to deal with the evidence base and materials, the existence of which is never disputed by anyone. The palm in this area belongs to the works of Plato. The ancient Greek philosopher mentioned the mighty state of antiquity in the dialogues "Critias" and "Timaeus", which were compiled on the basis of the diaries of another prominent ancient Greek scientist philosopher Solon, who was Plato's great-grandfather. With the light hand of Plato, the name of the ancient state appeared, and its inhabitants began to be called Atlanteans.

In his notes and books, the ancient philosopher relied on the legend according to which the ancient Greeks fought against the Atlantean state. The end of the confrontation was put by a grand cataclysm that led to the death of Atlantis. According to the ancients, it was this catastrophe that led to the fact that the island city of Atlantis disappeared forever from the face of the planet. What kind of catastrophe on a planetary scale led to such consequences is still not known and proven. Another question is that in the scientific community at the moment there is a point of view that 12 thousand years BC. the world has indeed suffered a major catastrophe that changed the geography of the planet.

Plato's dialogue "Timaeus" quite accurately indicates the location of the Atlantean country, is full of descriptions of the details of the culture and life of the Atlanteans. Thanks to the efforts of the ancient Greek philosopher, the disappeared civilization is stubbornly searched for in the Atlantic Ocean. Just one phrase "opposite the Pillars of Heracles", recorded by Plato, indicates the location of the legendary country. There are no more accurate data on the location of the mysterious ancient state, so many researchers of this topic believe that Atlantis could have been in any other part of the ancient world.

The inconsistency of many of the facts set forth in Plato's works posed a number of questions for subsequent generations. The main secrets of Atlantis are as follows:

• whether there is a high probability of the existence of an island of such a large size, traces of which are almost completely absent today;
• what kind of catastrophe that occurred in antiquity could lead to the instant death of a large state;
• could in such ancient times exist a civilization with such a high level of development, which is attributed to the Atlanteans by ancient and modern researchers;
• why today there are no real traces from the past, testifying to the existence of Atlantis;
• are we descendants of the highly developed culture of the Atlanteans.

How Atlantis was seen by the contemporaries of the ancient Greeks

Studying Plato's works, one can briefly summarize the information that has come down to us. We are dealing with the history of the existence and mystical disappearance of a large archipelago or a large island, which was located in the west of the then ancient world. The central city of the superpower was Atlantis, owing its name to the first king of the state of Atlanta. The island location explains the state structure of the empire. Probably Atlantis, like many cities of ancient Greece, was an alliance of island rulers united under imperial rule. Perhaps in Atlantis there was a different state system, but in the dialogues of Plato, the names of the kings are given, after whom other islands of the empire are named. Consequently, the ancient civilization took the form of a union or confederation.

Another question is Plato's detailed description of the life order of the mysterious power. All the main buildings and structures of the state are located on the central island. The Acropolis, the royal palace and temples are protected by several rows of earthen ramparts and a system of water channels. The inner regions of the island are connected to the sea by a huge shipping channel, so we can safely say that the power of Atlantis was focused on achieving sea power. Moreover, according to Plato, the Atlanteans worship Poseidon (the ancient Greek god, the ruler of the seas and oceans - the brother of Zeus). In Plato, the temples of the Atlanteans, their architecture and the arrangement of dwellings shine with luxury and wealth. Reaching the shores of Atlantis, surrounded on all sides by water, and the way to the island lay only by sea, was not an easy task for the sailors of that time.

Plato in his narratives is very keen on describing the improvement of the capital of the Atlanteans. The most interesting thing in this aspect is that the descriptions of the ancient Greek philosopher strongly resemble the descriptions of other ancient Greek cities found in other ancient sources. The described infrastructure, weapons, ships, religion and lifestyle of the inhabitants of Atlantis look like the height of human excellence and a model of well-being.

The mystery of Atlantis in Plato's descriptions is present at every step. Is it not surprising that people live far from the centers of civilization known to the then world, but they have a sufficiently high level of development, can make long sea voyages, trade with everyone around, eat spices and other cultures. The Atlanteans have a powerful army and a large fleet capable of confronting the armies of the ancient states of the Mediterranean.

This should be the point. Only Plato was able to describe the life and structure of the legendary state so clearly and in detail. Finding other sources that would point to such facts was not, no, and probably will not be. Neither the Sumerians nor the ancient Egyptians said anything about a large state in the Western Hemisphere. The ancient ruins of the Indian civilizations of North and South America are silent about the interaction with the mysterious and powerful state. Could such a powerful civilization be located in the Central Atlantic many years ago, about which there is still no real evidence?

Secrets of Atlantis: myths and legends versus real facts

Some researchers continue to feed the world with illusions that Atlantis really was. Following the lead of Plato, who pointed out the exact location of the island, researchers in search of Atlantis check the territories in the Azores region, in the Bahamas. This is facilitated by the consonance of the names of the Atlantic Ocean and the legendary island.

According to one version, Atlantis was located in the region of the Azores. Studies of the Ampere Seamount, located on the way from Europe to America, and the neighboring areas of the Atlantic Mid-Range Ridge, have not yielded any results. The geological and morphological structure of the seabed does not give reason to believe that a large geological formation existed in this area of ​​the earth's crust in ancient times. Even a gigantic cataclysm that wiped out such a large island or archipelago would leave behind undeniable evidence. If the island sank as a result of a successive chain of earthquakes and floods, then its remains could be found today.

Modern scientists do not have data on a major geological and tectonic catastrophe that befell the earth in antiquity. The biblical data on the global flood that befell the Earth and mankind takes us to a completely different era. All information, events and facts that speak in favor of the existence of Atlantis in this part of the globe do not stand up to criticism, if we rely on the theory proposed by Plato.

The supporters of another hypothesis - the Mediterranean one - have more compelling evidence in their favor. However, there are a number of controversial issues here as well. What were the real boundaries of such a powerful union, and where could such a large island or small continent be located? The western border of the world known to people of that time, runs along the Pillars of Hercules - now the Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic. Why, with such a richness of events and crampedness, the ancient world did not have cartographic data on the location of a large state that influenced the political and economic structure of the world. On the maps compiled by the ancient Greeks, Phoenicians and Egyptians that have survived to our times, the known areas are limited to the Mediterranean region, the territories of southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

Many atlantologists are increasingly agreeing that a civilization of this size could exist in the Eastern Mediterranean, in the investigated sphere of the political and economic interests of the ancient states. The disappearance of the island and the death of the Atlantean country can be linked to the catastrophic eruption of the Santorini volcano, which erupted around the 17th century BC. This hypothesis takes place, since it was during this period that the heyday of the Cretan state fell. According to this theory, the volcanic eruption not only destroyed half of the island of Thira, but also destroyed numerous city-states that existed in the region. If we put aside the question of names and the link to Plato's statements about the Pillars of Hercules, such a picture of the ancient world has a right to life.

In this context, the version about the existence of a powerful state in ancient times, competing with the ancient Greek city-states, perfectly coexists. The facts of the strongest cataclysm of that time were also noted in ancient sources. Today volcanologists and oceanologists reasonably consider this version of the death of Atlantis to be quite real. Scientists have found evidence that the Minoan civilization really possessed enormous military power and had a high level of development, allowing it to wage a confrontation with the Greek states.

Sparta and Athens are located 300-400 kilometers north of the islands of Thira and Crete, which are ideal for the location of the Atlantean state. The explosion of the volcano, which in one night destroyed a mighty power, destroyed the balance in the world that had existed until that moment. The consequences of such a large-scale catastrophe affected all of southern Europe, North Africa and the coast of the Middle East.

Versions in favor of a different location for the legendary power today have no basis. Researchers increasingly associate the existence of Atlantis with Plato's philosophical view of the existing world. This is echoed by other sources, in which the land of the Atlanteans is associated with other mythical territories and states that existed in the imagination of the ancient Greeks.

Hyperborea and Atlantis - ancient mythical states

When asked where to look for Atlantis today, the answer may sound prosaic. You have to search everywhere. It is possible to rely on ancient sources only in those cases when the question is raised about the cultural heritage that has come down to our times. In the sense in which we perceive Atlantis today, as an imaginary country and a highly developed civilization, the ancient Greeks at one time represented Hyperborea. This mythical country, located in the far north, a thousand kilometers from the coast of Ancient Greece, was considered by the Greeks to be the habitat of the Hyperboreans, the descendants of the gods. Is this not the Atlantis that Plato wanted to tell the world about while writing his treatises?

Hyperborean lands, according to modern scientists, should have been located on the territory of the present Scandinavian countries: in Iceland or in Greenland. The Greeks directly pointed out that even Apollo himself, the sun god, was considered the patron saint of this people. What are these lands, do they really exist? It was assumed that Hyperborea was a fictional country for the ancient Greeks, where perfect and powerful people live, the gods rest. The country that Apollo regularly visits may be the very Atlantis - the state to which the ancient Greeks aspired in their development.

42. ATLANTIS

The legend of Atlantis - a sunken island where a highly developed civilization once existed, lived a strong, enlightened and happy people - the Atlanteans - has been worrying mankind for more than two thousand years.

The only source of information about Atlantis is the writings of the ancient Greek scientist Plato, who lived in the 4th century BC. e., written in the form of conversations-dialogues. In two such dialogues - "Timaeus" and "Critias" - Plato cites the story of his contemporary, writer and politician Critias about Atlantis - "a legend, albeit very strange, but completely reliable", which Critias heard in childhood from his grandfather, he - from the "wisest of the seven wise" Athenian legislator Solon, and Solon from the Egyptian priests.

Egyptian priests, based on ancient records, said that once in the "Atlantic Sea" (as the ocean was then called) lay a huge island - "more Libya (that is, Africa) and Asia taken together." On this island “a great and formidable power of kings was formed, whose power extended to the entire island and many other islands (...). In addition, they (...) owned Libya up to Egypt and Europe up to Tyrrenia ”(as Italy was called at that time). In the legend of Atlantis, it is said that in the original times, when the gods divided the land among themselves, this island went into the possession of Poseidon, the god of the seas. Poseidon settled there ten of his sons, born of the earthly woman Clito. The eldest of them was called Atlanta, after his name the island was named Atlantis, and the sea - Atlantic.

From Atlanta came a powerful and noble family of the kings of Atlantis. This clan "has collected such enormous riches, which had not yet happened in the possession of the kings, and even afterwards it will not be easy to form this way."

On the island, earthly fruits grew in abundance, various animals were found - "both tame and wild", minerals were mined in its depths, including "one breed, which is now known only by name, (...) - the orichalcum breed extracted from the earth in many places on the island, and after gold, it was of the greatest value among the people of that time. "

The inhabitants of Atlantis built on their island beautiful cities with fortress walls, temples and palaces, built harbors and shipyards.

The main city of Atlantis was surrounded by several rows of earthen ramparts and canals - “rings of the sea”. The city walls were covered, “like mastic”, with copper, tin and orichalcum, “emitting a fiery shine,” and the houses were built of red, white and black stone.

In the center of the city, a temple was erected to Poseidon and Clito. The walls of the temple were faced with silver, the roof was covered with gold, and inside “the ivory ceiling, colored with gold, silver and orichalcum, seemed to the eye. They also erected golden idols inside the temple - a god who, standing in a chariot, ruled six winged horses, and himself, due to its enormous size, touched the crown of the ceiling. "

The Atlanteans were bustling with trade, the harbors of Atlantis "swarmed with ships and merchants who came from everywhere, who in their mass deafened the area day and night with shouts, thuds and mixed noise."

Atlantis possessed a strong army and navy of one thousand two hundred warships.

The code of laws that Poseidon himself gave the Atlanteans was inscribed on a high orichalcum pillar set in the middle of the island. Atlantis was ruled by ten kings, each with his own part of the island. Once every five or six years, they gathered in front of this pillar and "consulted about common affairs, or tried to find out if anyone had done any wrong, and performed judgment."

Atlanteans were distinguished by nobility and a lofty way of thinking, “looking at everything except virtue, with disdain, they valued little that they had a lot of gold and other acquisitions, were indifferent to wealth as a burden, and did not fall to the ground in the intoxication of luxury, losing power over oneself. "

But time passed - and the Atlanteans changed, filled with "the wrong spirit of self-interest and strength." They began to use their knowledge and the achievements of their culture for evil. In the end, Zeus became angry with them and "in one day and a disastrous night (...) the island of Atlantis disappeared, sinking into the sea." According to Plato, this happened in the X millennium BC. NS. Modern scientists are of the opinion that the destruction of the island was caused by a catastrophe caused by some of the man-made achievements of the ancient Atlanteans.

Disputes about whether Atlantis really existed or was invented by Plato began in ancient times. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, a friend and disciple of Plato, argued that Atlantis was completely fictional (according to legend, it was on this occasion that Aristotle uttered the famous dictum: “Plato is my friend, but the truth is dearer”). Nevertheless, many believed that Atlantis really existed and traces of it can be found.

Interest in Atlantis over the next centuries either faded, then reawakened, but never completely disappeared.

It is estimated that about 3,600 scientific papers have been written about Atlantis to date (not to mention numerous works of fiction). Atlantology has become an independent branch of science. Atlantologists have expressed many guesses regarding the location of Atlantis and the reasons for its death, put forward a hypothesis about the influence of the Atlantean civilization on the development of world civilization.

Poet V. Ya. Bryusov, who was professionally engaged in atlantology and read a scientific course on this topic, wrote at the beginning of the 20th century - “We still have no right to assert (...) that“ Atlantis has been proven ”. But there is no doubt that science must accept Atlantis as a necessary "working hypothesis." Without the admission of Atlantis, much in early antiquity will remain unclear, inexplicable (...). Atlantis is necessary for history and therefore must be discovered! "

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