Atlantis Destroyed

Plato's legend of Atlantis has become notorious among scholars as the most absurd lie in literature. Partially dismissed because of the philosopher's eclipsing reputation in the twentieth century in conjunction with Nazi adoption of the Atlantis allegory,AtlantisDestroyedexplores how Plato's account can be perceived as historically true. Since its mention first inTimaeusand thenCritias,Atlantis has hovered between fable and folk tale, taken as history by some and acknowledged as allegory by others. In this fascinating book, Rodney Castleden theorizes how the tale of Atlantis is not one piece of identifiable proto-history, but several, and that Plato's story was really a parable told to comment on the state of the world in his own times. The author incorporates the latest findings on Knossos (in Crete) and Thera, the two islands long considered the "real" site of Atlantis. In examining Minoan civilization, Castleden discusses the material culture, trade empireand agricultural system, writing and wall paintings, art, religion and society, providing a comprehensive picture of the islands during the Bronze Age. His research demonstrates for the reader parallels between Plato's narrative and Aegean civilization which might indicate the geographical place of Atlantis. Just as Plato's story of a land swallowed up by the sea sought to entertain, improve and exalt,Atlantis Destroyedwill captivate readers the world over with the telling of how a myth was made.