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The Legend of Atlantis
The legend of Atlantis is one of the most fascinating mysteries of the world. Did it exist or was it simply a myth?
If it did exist where on earth was it and where did it go? Whether you believe there is any truth in the legend is irrelevant as the story itself is so fascinating.
The Greek philosopher Plato was said to have lived from about 428 to 348 BC and was a student of Socrates. He was fascinated by an ancient Egyptian story of a fantastic civilisation which was lost during a terrible catastrophe. Plato wrote about the island in play form and his students thought that the place was Plato’s own creation but he argued that Atlantis was real and existed before it was destroyed by a great flood that eradicated the entire civilisation. He gave the world the first accounts of Atlantis, a paradise, rich in fertile soils and abundance of water. He wrote about Atlantis being inhabited by a superior civilisation describing in great detail the race, engineering and architecture.
The people, enjoying a plentiful diet of fresh fish and meats as well as sumptuous luxurious fruits and desserts, were described as being of superior race, of great beauty and intelligence and were a civilisation that was extremely advanced technologically. In the middle of Atlantis stood the glorious temple of Poseidon which was home to the pillar of Orichalum upon which was the laws of Poseidon, as inscribed by the first kings of the continent. The kings from all the different regions would gather to pledge to obey these laws by performing sacrifices. It is said that this beautiful paradise of peace, plenitude and harmony continued in this way for many years until the people let their laws slide and slowly became greedy, ambitious and immoral. The gods were supposed to have wrecked revenge and sent flood waters. Whatever happened is not known but according to the legend the island simply vanished.
Plato spent his lifetime insisting Atlantis was real and said it was placed somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Pillars of Hercules, the mythological gate to the new world , the entrance to the Mediterranean sea. Some people believe one of the pillars to be the rock of Gibraltar. Theorists have since said that if that were the case then Atlantis could well have been the Aegean island of Thera which suddenly combusted.
However there are many others that say that the descriptions of the island are more in keeping with the Canary Islands which they believe to be the uppermost peaks of Atlantis mountains. The descriptions of Atlantis as a paradise with fertile soils and a wealth of water has also brought for some the legend to the Canary Islands, which have long been associated with an abundance of agricultural produce. The Canary Islands are often referred to as a paradise in miniature. Blessed with beautiful year round temperatures and lands that are one minute dry barren deserts and at the next turn thick green forests or volcanic as far as the eye can see and it is easy to see why so many link Atlantis with the Canaries.
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