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Atlantis - a fabled city that is supposed to surpass all others in technology, beauty and government, until one day when after losing war with Athens falls victim to Mother Nature who sends her wrath in the form of earthquakes that surpass even the most powerful felt in Tokyo, volcanoes that cover the city with spewing lava and a tidal wave that completely engulfs the island burying it beneath the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean for all time.

It takes only a few short hours for the city to become utterly devastated. It sits at the bottom of an ocean, lost for all time - almost. _Nine hundred years later the story reemerges with the infamous Greek philosopher Plato who recounts the fantastic tale in his books Timaeus and Critias, two books of a trilogy describing Atlantis and how the great continent was lost (Wong par. 5).

The story, carried down through history has been revived time and time again by new-age gurus who explain everything from the Nazca lines to the pyramids of Egypt and consequently those of the Inca and Mayan civilizations. It is more probable that Atlantis really was the result of the embellishments of imagination of a great philosopher than that of a lost civilization of great importance for its day. There is great likelihood that the early Grecian civilization of the Minoans and the lost city of Atlantis are one in the same (Friedrich 57). Based on the evidence which is scant at best, the similarities between what the archeological evidence of the Minoan civilization tell us and what Plato describes as Atlantis are striking.

Plato's description of a highly-advanced civilization would agree with the artifact records of this early Grecian colony who harnessed wind for boats and invented a toilet to stop the spread of disease (Nifty par. 3). The technology that the Minoans possessed surpassed much of what was in common at the time and their city planning was on par with Metropolises of today (Ancient par. 3). Atlantis was also described as an architecturally beautiful city with great buildings and towering statues (Atlantis). The Minoans too were known for their architectural genius creating magnificent palaces and sculptures of great beauty.

It is somehow uncanny to think that like Atlantis the Minoan Empire also suffered a similar fate of earthquakes ripping apart their city, and a volcano that could be felt miles away decimating what was left of the flourishing civilization (Friedrich 24). Even the geographic location that Plato describes would seem to fit in with the location of the Minoan civilization. The only great divide between these two civilizations lies in the chronological pathway between the two. But if one were to look past this one discrepancy there are unequivocal similarities left to discover, enough to possibly revive the theory that the Minoans and the Atlanteans are cut from the same cloth or rather are the same cloth.__There is truth in the fact that Minoans possessed technology that was unheard of for its day. Minoans were the first civilization to build a ship capable of travel by the power of the wind and it was by the use of this invention that the culture was able to maintain a city with no visible fortifications or any standing army to protect it (Kluth).

This well-know fact has often lead archeologists to believe that Minoans were a rather peaceful race of people. In fact, it was through their ability to thwart off foe by the use of their agile ships that could outrun and outmaneuver those that still used rowing as the primary form of propulsion that kept intruders and marauders at bay (Kluth). Minoans were also the true first inventors of the flush toilet for waste removal (Nifty par. 3). Because of this ingenious invention their city was relatively free from major diseases caused by excess fecal matter left in public areas where it could seep into drinking water or be carried by rats and other rodents and insects. The invention of the toilet and its use demonstrated that Minoans had an understanding about the need to contain bacteria growing waste products and its possible cause in the spread of disease and eventual death.

The Minoans also developed an intricate system of roadways for easily accessible travel. The road widths varied by population density and use and allowed for quick and easy movement from one area of the city to the next with multiple routes of entrance and escape (Ancient par. 3). If one road were used more than other roads it would be given priority when it came time to repair. This was unheard in this time where most roads were nothing more than muddy unmaintained trails.__Atlantis was a city completely surrounded by water and was assumed to have a strong naval fleet with a power unmatched (Atlantis). Plato stated that Atlantis had one of the strongest naval fleets in the world. It is also written that Atlantis traded with even the furthest reaches of the globe so a great naval ability would be paramount to their continued existence.

It is also rather coincidental that there was no mention in Plato's writings of any large-standing army as to do battle with the city marine warfare would be more important than armies and structural fortifications. This too was much like the Minoan civilization. It was common in writings of the time to mention the army sizes to show how great or how inept the city was militarily (i.e. Homer's The Odyssey and The Iliad where the armies of Troy are detailed) yet there is no mention of huge armies. Atlantis was supposedly a city that had conquered many areas in the surrounding regions (Atlantis). _How can one conquer without an army? This was achieved very simply with a navy blockading ports of the region so that food and supplies could not be delivered fast enough. _This great nation was also a city concerned with vanity.

The city of Atlantis has been described as a beautiful one (Atlantis). The city had no major outbursts of disease (examples of major disease outbreaks include Mesopotamia with the Bubonic plague (Bubonic par. 5)) and therefore likely that their ingenuity would be directed towards cleanliness and beautification. Atlantis was a civilization that has brought forth varying opinions from historians. But one thing that historians have little reason to disagree about are the intricate road systems that were to be found within the nation's walls. Even in Plato's descriptions we are left in awe of the intricacies of the engineering that had to have been studied, planned and implemented from the first road built (Stones par. 48). __The palace at Knossos and that of Phaistos and the palace at Mallia were all testaments to the Minoan architectural abilities.

Some encompassed more than twenty-two thousand square feet with more than 1,500 rooms contained within them. The walls and ceilings were frescoed and some reached heights of twelve meters (Matthews 1). The sculptures of the Minoan civilization were extremely detailed, more so than that of ancient Greece. What is truly astonishing is the fact that nearly all art, even the earliest forms showed more detail than later Grecian populations. It would then stand to reason that the techniques these groups used were far more advanced than anything of that time period. Even the materials that were used were far advanced in comparison to the rest of the region and the world. The Minoans were quick to adopt bronze and other metals and began working extensively with them before other settlers of the time.

Plato's description and later drawings of Atlantis have always shown it as a city that was architecturally inclined to be beautiful. The buildings Plato described were unimaginable in their design for that time. There were lavish temples and great government buildings (Jowett [Critias] par. 9). Their obvious technical achievements where structural construction was concerned were obviously far advanced to anything in the area (or the world for that matter). In Plato's writings there is also mention of great sculpture and artistic influence in the city (Jowett [Critias] par. 14). While no specifics are given about this topic, it could be extrapolated that it would be extremely grand considering the architectural abilities of the people.

The Atlanteans also wished to express their artistic side through their architecture. As was previously mentioned the Atlanteans took the time to build their city in concentric circles. While this served as a unique form of transport, it also added tremendously to the exterior appeal of the city.__The Minoans had a tremendous civilization whose time quickly came. One day during the late final millennium (after 1450 BCE) the end approached with fervor. A huge tsunami moved inland, wiping out their entire fleet of ships and many fo their buildings. Severe earthquakes struck the city ripping apart the cities, destroying their temples and palaces leaving thousands homeless. This weakened the city tremendously, and nature, as if entering the boxing ring for one last round dealt the final blow. With no buildings to hide behind, in, or under a volcano erupted and exploded lava with tremendous force.

The eruption was so violent that it could be felt and heard in cities for hundreds of miles in all directions - rivaling the eruption of Mount Saint Helen's (Kystek 16). This decimated any structures left standing and entirely wiped out the civilization (Walker 107). The majority of the island was swept away. After a few decades water encroached upon the area and began engulfing the land where the cities once stood. It would be likely that there were other Minoans who were off on trade routes, vacation trips or for other reasons that would take from their home, what would permit this civilization to share their technological and cultural advancements with other civilizations. _As Atlanteans awoke one day they had no idea that that day would be their last. As myth would explain Poseidon, Greek god of the sea became enraged at the city for their arrogance and called up the sea to swallow them alive. Since no primary evidence exists one cannot discount the validity of this story but the more probable explanation is similar to that of the Minoans.

First earthquakes devastated the city, then volcanoes reeked havoc on the architecture and finally, a tidal wave swallowed the sea dragging it to the bottom of the ocean (Collins 102). Of course, Plato was not alive at the time of this event and his sources are dubious at best. It would be assumed that a small number of expatriates were not on Atlantis when this occurred and that Plato could only receive this story from a person or group who were related to the lost city's inhabitants. It is also possible (although less plausible) that the story had been passed down by a trader or sailor who had once or frequently visited the continent.

This is of course is less plausible as it would seem strangely odd that the sailor would only reveal this to Plato. Since, from basic cultural values those of lesser social classes would not have mingled with those of the higher classes (such as a philosopher) it would make little sense that a sailor and a philosopher would have occasion to discussion these events.__The Minoan civilization was founded on the isle of Crete, located in the Aegean Sea. For thousands of years their Bronze Age civilization flourished and grew on the island. Plato writes in Timaeus:__"This power came forth out of the Atlantic Ocean, for in those days the Atlantic was navigable; and there was an island situated in front of the straits which are by you called the Pillars of Heracles...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; for this sea which is within the Straits of Heracles is only a harbour, having a narrow entrance, but that other is a real sea, and the surrounding land may be most truly called a boundless continent.

Now in this island of Atlantis there was a great and wonderful empire which had rule over the whole island and several others, and over parts of the continent, and, furthermore, the men of Atlantis had subjected the parts of Libya within the columns of Heracles as far as Egypt, and of Europe as far as Tyrrhenia." (Jowett par. 40).__Plato describes the city of Atlantis as being near the Straits of Heracles, commonly known as the Straits of Gibraltar. Plato describes the water behind the Straits as being the harbour where the city of Atlantis dwelled. Plato also describes the island of Atlantis as a way to the rest of the continent, a transportation hub. This would fit with what is known of the Minoans since they often sailed to far off lands to trade and they likely would have ferried passengers as well.__The only great discrepancy between Atlantis and the great Minoan civilization is the time frame for which they existed.

While Atlantis was claimed to have existed in or around the year 9000 BCE, placing it well before any other civilization known to man, it does not agree with the fossil records of the ancient Minoan cities. These cities have been proven to exist from 900 BCE onward (Kyrstek par. 18). While the coincidence between the two cannot be ignored and the number 9000 could merely be a mistranslation for 900 or even a spelling error (after all Plato was a human), if we assume Plato was correct this would completely discount that the theory of Atlantis having any relation to Minoan civilization. Unfortunately, due to obvious limitations it is impossible to verify whether or not these are the actual numbers and as a result, the mystery deepens -- further. __Both Atlantis and the Minoan civilization share much in common, their geographical similarities and their technological and architectural abilities and similar stories of destruction. While there is little evidence around the city of Atlantis today, the similarities between what is described by archeologists and what Plato writes about are simply too coincidental to be a byproduct of chance. Even though there is a major discrepancy involving the date for both civilizations, it seems possible and even probable that these two civilizations are in fact one in the same._




Sources Cited__"Ancient Greek Civilisations" eMuseum. On-line. Internet. Date: unknown._ Available: http://emuseum.mnsu.edu/prehistory/aegean/pre-greece/minoan/minoan.html__"Atlantis" Atlantis n. pag. On-line. Internet. Date: unknown._ Available: http://www.angelfire.com/ri/allfantasy/atlantis.html__"Bubonic Plague" All Free Essays. On-line. Internet. Date: Unknown._ Available: http://allfreeessays.com/student/free/The_Bubonic_Plague.shtml__Collins, Andrew. Gateway to Atlantis : the search for the source of a lost civilization. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers: Distributed by Publishers Group West, 2000.__Friedrich, Walter L. Fire in the sea : the Santorini volcano : natural history and the legend of Atlantis. Cambridge [England]: Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, 2000__Jowett, Benjamin "Critias by Plato" Sacred-Texts. n. pag On-line. Internet. Date _Unknown._ Available: http://www.sacred-texts.com/atl/critias.txt__Jowett, Benjamin "Timaeus by Plato" The Internet Classics Archive. n. pag. On-line. _Internet. Date Unknown. _Available: http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/timaeus.1b.txt__Kluth, Frederick John "Minoan Culture" The Role of Women in Ancient Greek Art _n. pag. On-line. Internet. 2003._Available: http://apk.net/~fjk/minoan.html__"Nifty History Tidbits" Gaelic's page of Goodies On-line. Internet. 2000_ Available: http://gaelic.freeservers.com/historytidbits.html__Wilson, Colin. The Atlantis blueprint : unlocking the ancient mysteries of a long-lost civilization. New York: Delacorte Press, 2000.__Wong, Barton. "Topic #D38 - Plato, Timaeus" Ancient Philosophy On-line. Internet._ 2001. Available: http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~dhutchin/d5a.htm