We have known for a long time the legendary Atlantis. Besides
attracting the interest of archaeologists and explorers, Atlantis also
attracted the attention of panganut new age, ufolog to nazi Germany. In fact some people say that the Atlanteans were descendants of a group of super alien race who have high technology. But anyway, how many of you have ever read a book Timaeus and Critias Plato? There is always debate whether Atlantis as described by Plato is a fiction or reality. I am not at all difficult to accept the theory that Atlantis is a nation that actually exist in history. But
it seems to me difficult to accept the theory that Atlantis was the
land of the gods, super offspring alien race with a super high-tech, or
new age adherents of the theory that considers mystical Atlantis as a
continent that has a significant role in the life of mankind.Hitler even believe that Aryans are the direct descendants of Atlantis that makes this continent he ordered the search.
So I decided to read directly from the source of the legend of Atlantis, which Plato's Timaeus and Critias essay, written in the year 347 BC. Of course you know that people tend to exaggerate things. right? So I had to find out for myself what Plato said about Atlantis.
And I found nothing to indicate that the racial description of Atlantis is a descendant of alien super race with super high tech. Technologies and capabilities described Plato's Atlantis is the same with technology owned by other ancient nations such as Greece, China and Egypt. In fact, in the writings of Plato stated that Atlantis defeated nation at war with Greece (I believe you guys have not heard about it).
Maybe that makes people think that they are descendants of aliens is because Plato said that the Atlanteans are the offspring of Poseidon, Greek God of the ocean (this applies to those who believe in the theory that the ancient gods are aliens).
But interestingly, if we examine the stories of ancient legends of ancient China, Sumeria, Egypt, Greece and even Indonesia, we will also find a legend that tells that they are direct descendants of the gods. So I assume, Legend of Atlantis is not much different from other tribes legend. (Sorry for the fans of Atlantis)
But there are many interesting things to be learned from the story of Atlantis. And for those who do not know, I have included below a short description of Atlantis.
The pieces I translate this sentence from the Timaeus and Critias Benjamin Jowett translation of the English version. You can also download it yourself by clicking on the source link at the end of this paper.
Timaeus and Critias is a book written in the form of dialogue that occurs between the Timaeus, Critias, Hermocrates and Socrates. In the book, the story told by Critias Atlantis who heard the story from his grandfather also named Critias. While Critias (his grandfather) heard it from Solon. And Solon heard from the Egyptian priests.
Timaeus little mention Atlantis. While describing Atlantis Critias more. However, it seems unfinished Critias Plato so we only got a piece of the story of Atlantis. But at least enough to take heed of this remarkable nation.
Location Atlantis"This power comes from the Atlantic. At that time, the Atlantic Ocean navigable and there was an island situated in front of the straits which you call the pillars of Hercules. Island was larger than Libya and Asia combined and pillars is also a entrance to the other islands in the vicinity, and from the islands you can get to the whole continent that bordered the Atlantic ocean. Sea is in the pillars of Hercules is just like a port that has a narrow entrance. however sea beyond it is a real sea, and the continent that surrounds it can be called a continent without borders. In the Atlantic, there is a great empire that ruled the entire island and surrounding islands as well as other parts of the continent "(Timaeus)
The origin of the Atlanteans"Previously I have talked about zoning in place for the gods and how they are spread all over the world in different proportions. And Poseidon, receiving part, the island of Atlantis." (Critias)
"In the middle of the island there is a plateau that is considered the best and have a fertile soil., Where there was a mountain not very high on all sides. On the mountain there lived a man named Evenor mortal who has a wife named Leucippe. They have one daughter named Cleito. When Cleito have grown up, his father and mother died. Poseidon fell in love and have sex. " (Critias)
Soil Characteristics of Atlantis"Poseidon and broke ground in the surrounding hills residence Cleito that hill apart from other plain. Hill was now surrounded by a circular sea. Poseidon makes these two parts of the land that the figure could be two areas of land surrounded by three waters." (Critias)
"Each land has sirkumferen which is equidistant from the center island. So no one person and one kapalpun to reach the island. Poseidon then made two springs in the middle of the island, one hot and one cold water. He also makes a wide range of food emerge from the fertile soil. " (Critias)
Ancestors nation of Atlantis"Poseidon and Cleito have five pairs of male twins. He then dividing the island of Atlantis into ten parts. He gave to the eldest of the twins the first place of residence of their mother and the surrounding area which is the largest and the best ground. He also made him king over his brothers. Poseidon gave him the name Atlas., and hence the whole island and the ocean were called Atlantic. " (Critias)
Prosperity Nation Atlantis"Land of Atlantis is the best land in the world and therefore able to accommodate a large army." (Critias)
"The land can also benefit from annual rainfall, has an abundant supply in all places." (Critias)
"Orichalcum can be explored in many areas of the island. Orichalcum At that time more valuable than any precious objects, except gold. On the island there are also a lot of wood for carpenters' work and enough supplies for livestock or wild animals, living in the river or the land, living in the mountains or plains. fact, on the island there are also a lot of elephants "(Critias)
Atlantis Community Structure"At that time, the Atlantic inhabited by various classes of society. Was masons, carpenters, there are husbands and soldiers. For the soldiers, they got their own territory, and all the necessaries of life and education is provided in abundance. They were never assume that theirs is theirs alone. they regard it as belonging together. they also never require more food than necessary. " (Critias)
"These soldiers live around the temple of Athena and Hephaestus at the top of the hill. Them in place and then build a fence to protect the place. To the north, they built the room to eat in the winter and making buildings that can be used for joint . " (Critias)
"They do not worship the gold and silver because for them, all to no avail. They also build a simple house where their children can grow." (Critias)
'This is the way they live, they become keepers of their own and become a leader for all the Hellenists who volunteered to become their followers. Then they also keep the number of women and men in the same amount as a precaution in case of war. In this way they manage their territories and all areas Hellas fairly. Atlantis became very termashyur throughout Europe and Asia for beauty and kindness of the people. "(Critias)
Atlantis Technology"They built temples, palaces and harbors. They also set the entire region, organized as follows: first they build a bridge to connect the water to the land area surrounding the ancient city. Then make their way to and from the direction of the palace. They built the palace in the residence of the gods and their ancestors who continue to be maintained by the next generation. every king lowered his exceptional abilities to the next king until they were able to build enormous buildings and beautiful. " (Critias)
"And they built a canal 300 feet wide with a depth of 100 feet and a length of 50 stadia (9 miles). They also make driveways large enough to pass even the largest vessels and canals Through this they can sail to the outer zone." (Critias)
Destruction Island of Atlantis"9,000 years is the number of years that have taken place since the war that took place between those who dwelt outside the pillars of Hercules with those who dwell in it. Wars is what I will describe." (Critias)
"The forces led by the city of Athens. On the other hand, forces led by the kings of Atlantis, which as I have explained, an island larger than Libya and Asia combined, which was destroyed by an earthquake and a pile of mud that becomes a barrier to the explorers who sailed into the ocean to another. " (Critias)
"Many of the flood that has occurred over 9,000 years, the number of years that had happened when I was talking., And during that time there have been many changes. Never happened in the history of so much accumulated dirt that fell from the mountains in the region. Yet land has fallen and buried Atlantis and covered areas of the eye. " (Critias)
"Because just overnight, heavy rains extraordinary sweep the earth and at the same time an earthquake. Then came a flood swept through the area." (Critias)
"But after that, there were earthquakes and floods sweeping., And in one day and one night, all its inhabitants sank into the earth, and the island of Atlantis disappeared into the ocean., And for this reason, there parts of the ocean becomes impassable and unexplored because there are heaps of mud caused by the destruction of the island proficiency level. " (Timaeus)
Closing - Lessons from Atlantis"For many generations, the noble character of life in them, they were obedient to the law and has a strong interest to the gods. They have a better way of life, combining gentleness with wisdom in the various aspects of life and in association with others." (Critias)
"They do not want to take up arms against each other, and they will be promptly rushed to help his king when there was an attempt to overthrow him. They resist all evil and just do good. They only pay little attention to their own lives. They underestimate the wealth of gold and silver seemed only a burden to them. " (Critias)
"Even when they are abundant in the luxury, the eyes of their hearts were not blinded by it. They realize that their wealth will increase by acts of kindness and friendship with each other that is also accompanied by a respect between fellow. Such characters continues to grow among them. " (Critias)
"However, these noble characters begin to fade and become too often compromised. They mingled with earthly nature, and it then becomes the controlling nature. Therefore they are no longer able to bear the wealth they have. They start behaving properly and the eye they are being shortsighted because they have lost their most precious possessions. " (Critias)
"Zeus, king of the gods who ruled by law and be able to see the evil deeds they did begin to declare the punishment for an honorable race so that they can be awakened and purified. Then he began to gather the gods from their dwelling place. Following them all gathered, Zeus said: ..... " (Critias)
And with that sentence Critias ends, not resolved. So we'll never know what to say by Zeus. But even though the book was never completed, its impact on human beings is far greater than the thousands of other books.
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