Plato's Atlantis Story and its Fertile Reception

Plato's Atlantis story, as presented in the Tameis and Critias dialogues, has gained significant attention and interpretation throughout history. Contrary to popular belief, Atlantis is entirely Plato's creation, with no previous mentions in antiquity. The story is divided into two parts, with the first half focusing on the creation story of the universe and the birth of humanity. The second part, presented in the Critias, tells the story of the war between Atlantis and primeval Athens. The Atlantis story serves as a manifestation of the ideal state and embodies the central theme of embodiment of the ideal in both physical and political aspects. The contrast between Athens and Atlantis is highlighted, with Athens representing unity, stability, moderation, and courage, while Atlantis exhibits structured complexity, growth, instability, and eventual corruption. The story abruptly ends, leaving the narrative of the war unseen, potentially because Plato wanted to focus on the philosophical exploration rather than delving into a lengthy epic. The Atlantis story reflects Plato's interest in historiography, transmission of the past, and the correlation between the material world and the ideal realm.