Ancient civilizations: Atlanteans, Lemurians, giant people. What do we know about the civilization of the ancient Atlanteans

Modern researchers have not yet been able to fully reveal all the hidden secrets of the existence of Atlantis. However, thanks to the many studies carried out in this area, there are still a number of assumptions and hypotheses regarding the existence of the described ancient civilization.

Official science, of course, does not recognize the existence of this mysterious - perhaps really only mythical - civilization in the past.

The achievements of the Atlantean civilization are impressive.

There is an opinion among scientists that the Atlanteans have reached a very high level of progress in all spheres of life. They could plan their life in completely different ways. For example, it was not alien to the people who once inhabited this sunken continent, telepathic communication with family and friends. They also liked to have long conversations about their role in the universe.

According to the Theosophists, the Atlanteans were the fourth race on earth. They appeared after the death of the Lemurian civilization, having absorbed some of its achievements, and existed before the appearance of the fifth, Aryan race. The Atlanteans were much more god-like than the Lemurians. Beautiful, smart and ambitious.

They worshiped the sun and developed their technology rapidly, just as we do today.

Description of Atlantis by Plato

In the year 421 BC, Plato spoke in his writings about the vanished civilization of the Atlanteans.

According to him, it was big Island, located in the middle of the ocean, beyond Gibraltar. In the center of the city there was a hill with temples and the palace of the kings. upper city was protected by two mounds of earth and three water ring channels. outer ring connected by a 500-meter canal to the sea. Ships sailed along the canal.

Copper and silver were mined in Atlantis. Sailing ships delivered ceramic dishes, spices, and rare ores.

The temple of Poseidon, the lord of the seas, was built of gold, silver, orchilak (an alloy of copper and zinc). His second temple was protected by a golden wall. There were also statues of Poseidon and his daughters.

After forty years, after the death of the philosopher, the Athenian resident Krantor went to Egypt to find Atlantis. In the temple of Neith, he found hieroglyphs with texts about the events that had taken place.

Scientific and technological progress in Atlantis

Due to their high level of mental and mental development, the inhabitants of Atlantis managed to establish contact with extraterrestrial beings. Some researchers give information that the Atlanteans were able to create ultra-fast and practical aircraft. Their very deep knowledge in the field of physics, mathematics and mechanics made it possible to produce equipment of the highest quality with unusual properties. And it was these devices that easily helped them travel through space!

The progress in technology was so stunning that today mankind has not yet been able to develop analogues to those flying devices, even taking into account the fact that science is constantly striding by leaps and bounds forward in all spheres of life without exception.

All this suggests that the inhabitants of Atlantis were outstanding people, possessed of great intellect and knowledge. At the same time, the Atlanteans willingly shared the acquired skills and experience with the younger generation. Therefore, progress in technical development was gradually improved and reached unprecedented heights.

The first pyramids were built just on the territory of Atlantis. Given unusual phenomenon still causes bewilderment among researchers, due to what improvised means and equipment it was possible to build such unusual structures!

Also economically, their country was prosperous. The work of any person in it was paid at its true worth. According to legend, Atlantis was an ideal country, there were no beggars and rich people who boasted of their wealth.

In this regard, the social situation in this country was always stable, no one was worried about food.

The appearance and morality of the Atlanteans

Due to the fact that the body of the Atlantean possessed remarkable physical strength compared to modern man, they are significantly more work could perform than our contemporaries.

The body of the Atlanteans was staggering in size. According to the evidence, it reached 6 meters in height. Their shoulders were very wide, the torso was elongated. There were 6 fingers on the hands, and 7 on the feet!

The facial features of people who once lived on Atlantis are also unusual. Their lips were very wide, their nose had a slightly flattened shape, while they also had huge expressive eyes.

According to their physiological data, the average life span of an average Atlantean was about 1000 years. At the same time, each of them tried to look beautiful in the eyes of others. Often, a variety of jewelry made of silver or gold, as well as precious stones, were used as decorations.

The Atlanteans were highly moral people. Therefore, they were alien to bad habits and an immoral image Everyday life. In any situation, they tried to act honestly with others, no one tried to deceive and set anyone up. In family relationships, marriage once in a lifetime was the norm. And the relationship itself was built solely on mutual trust, support and love for each other.

The political system in Atlantis was built in a democratic field. In many ways, it is similar to the one that prevails in the modern successful states of Europe with freedom of speech and the right to choose. The ruler of the Atlanteans was chosen by voting. At the same time, he ruled for a very long period - from 200 to 400 years! But whoever rules Atlantis, each of its leaders has always sought to create such a social environment within the state, thanks to which any person could always feel protected and cared for.

Causes of the death of Atlantis

One of the assumptions why Atlantis disappeared is based on the fact that the kings and population this continent began to abuse the knowledge with which they carried out their aggressive intentions.

For example, the pyramids they built created portals to other worlds. All this contributed to the fact that the energy coming from the parallel reality could be negative and at a certain moment could adversely affect the entire continent, completely destroying it in an instant.

In their daily lives, magic has increasingly been used exclusively with malicious intent.

Too much knowledge creates a temptation to use it for selfish interests. And no matter how morally pure the inhabitants of Atlantis were at first, in the end, negative tendencies began to grow in their society over time. The predatory attitude towards nature, the growth of social inequality, the abuse of power by the small elite that ruled the Atlanteans ultimately led to tragic consequences associated with the incitement of a long-term war. And it was she who became the main reason that one day the entire continent was swallowed up by the waters of the ocean.

Some scientists also assert with certainty that the death of Atlantis occurred approximately 10-15 thousand years ago. And this large-scale event provoked a huge meteorite that fell on our planet. The fall of a meteorite could change the earth's axis, which caused a tsunami of an unprecedented scale.

What did Helena Blavatsky say about the causes of the death of Atlantis

According to Helena Blavatsky, the fall of Atlantis happened because the Atlanteans played God. It turns out that from high morality the Atlanteans rolled down to indulgence of passions.

The technology of the Atlanteans, which surpassed their spiritual qualities, allowed them to create chimeras - a cross between man and animals, to use them as sex slaves and physical workers. The Atlanteans were masters of genetic modification and cloning technology at a high level. This is similar to what people are doing now, in the 21st century.

Being telepathically warned that the continent would sink, many of the inhabitants of Atlantis fled, having managed to board ships before the final sinking of the mainland in 9564 BC. by a series of earthquakes.

The American mystic Edgar Cayce, who looked into the so-called astral akashic records in a trance state, claimed that many of the souls who once lived in Atlantis now live as representatives of modern Western civilization in order to fulfill their destiny.

The search for a lost civilization

Over the past two thousand years, there have been multiple speculations about the location of Atlantis. Interpreters of the works of Plato pointed to the modern islands of the Atlantic. Some argue that Atlantis was located in present-day Brazil and even in Siberia.

Modern archaeologists consider the thinker's story about the Atlanteans a fiction. Circular networks of canals, hydraulic structures in those days were still beyond the strength of mankind. Researchers of Plato's philosophy and literature believe that he wanted to call for the creation of an ideal state. As for the period of disappearance, Plato names information that this happened eleven and a half thousand years ago. But during this period, man was only emerging from the Paleolithic, the Stone Age. Those people were not yet sufficiently developed mind. Perhaps these data of Plato about the time of the death of Atlantis are incorrectly interpreted.

There is one assumption why the figure of the death of Atlantis by Plato appears 9 thousand years ago. The fact is that in Egyptian reckoning "nine thousand" was depicted by nine lotus flowers, and "nine hundred" - by nine knots of rope. Outwardly, in writing, they were similar, and therefore there was confusion.

Modern research

In one thousand nine hundred and seventy-nine, all European newspapers were full of headlines "The Russians found an island." Photographs were presented in which vertical ridges, similar to walls, peeked out of the sand. Search operations unfolded exactly where Plato indicated - for Pillars of Hercules, above underwater volcano Ampere. It was reliably established that it stood out from the water, was an island.

In 1982, another Russian ship, having sank under water, discovered the ruins of the city: walls, squares, rooms. These findings were refuted by another expedition, which found nothing. In addition to frozen volcanic rocks.

There are suggestions that the disaster occurred due to a sudden shift in the African tectonic plate. Its collision with the European caused the eruption of Santorini - and western islands sank.

Of course, it is now impossible to say with accuracy what exactly happened once to Atlantis and what contributed to its death. And many of the hypotheses set forth by the researchers can only come close to the truth.

Whether Atlantis was simply a figment of the imagination of Plato and other thinkers, or a reality reflected in ancient legends, miraculously preserved to this day, remains a mystery ...

Perhaps our civilization is moving towards the same finale, when we will become for our distant descendants the same mythical event that Atlantis is for us. And our continents will also unsuccessfully search for days of deep oceans.

Lost mainland Atlantis excites the minds of millions of people for almost 2500 years. A mystery covered in the fog of millennia, hundreds of theories and hypotheses. Even with modern technology and scientific progress, so far it has not been possible to find not only the location of Atlantis, but also to prove its existence. It is worth noting that on the way to the secrets of the Atlantean civilization, scientists and researchers made many other discoveries. Which sometimes do not fit in the head because of their fantasticness. Many have heard of Atlantis, but few have given much thought to the culture that this great civilization is supposed to have been.

The first mention of the disappeared mainland

The very first mention of Atlantis is considered to be the "Dialogues" of the ancient Greek philosopher and historian Plato. In them, he casually mentioned the location of the mainland in the area Strait of Gibraltar. But for the most part focused on describing the life and culture of the Atlanteans. The accuracy with which Plato describes Atlantis is surprising. Its rich cities and civilization, which has risen to the highest level of development. According to him, the Atlanteans are the descendants of Poseidon. Which, in turn, was their supreme deity.

The wealth and grandeur of the disappeared mainland is amazing. But it can only be judged from the words of Plato. In addition, other information is more interesting. It is proved that Plato himself borrowed stories about the mainland from his uncle Solon. He heard them while in Egypt. The story of Atlantis was told by one of the priests of the goddess of the sky and the mother of the Sun - Neith. At the same time, he showed inscriptions in temples, testifying to the reality of the existence of the deceased continent. It turns out that the Atlanteans knew in advance about the imminent death of their homeland. And they did everything possible to preserve the great secrets and the gene pool of mankind.

Atlantean heritage

Before talking about the possible location of the sunken mainland, it is worth focusing on the achievements of the Atlanteans. The information is extremely interesting, although a little worn out. eternal search the continent itself. The researchers were so carried away by the search that they completely forgot about why they started it all. In ancient sources, there is evidence that the Atlanteans preserved their knowledge for posterity. And they saved not only information, but also themselves. Shortly before terrible disaster, which plunged the country into the ocean, representatives of the great race went to Egypt, Greece and even Tibet.

The information of the famous British esotericist Labsang Rampa is interesting. He claims that in Tibet, under the Potala temple, there are secret caves. In them, Tibetan monks protect three Atlanteans who are in a state of "samadhi". The state itself is mentioned in all religions of the East, so its reality can be taken for granted. Another thing is interesting. Labsang claims that the inhabitants of Atlantis had unique abilities. With the help of the "third eye" they could move heavy objects, possessed advanced science and technology.

His statements coincide with the words of the famous Russian occultist Helena Blavatsky. In her writings, she wrote that the Atlanteans took part in moving huge blocks of stone with the help of magic. Moreover, Blavatsky said that great pyramid Cheops is the repository of the knowledge of the Atlanteans. Her words are partially confirmed modern research. Scientists have discovered hidden rooms under the base of the pyramid. Their age can be safely attributed to the tenth, and possibly the twelfth millennium BC.

Where did Atlantis go?

If we leave esotericism unattended for a while, and focus on more material things, then it is interesting to find the place where Atlantis is located today. As for this aspect of research, there are many theories and it makes sense to focus on more real ones. In the process of searching for the flooded mainland, scientists explored the entire Earth and received information that makes us take a fresh look at the history of mankind. For the sake of justice, it is worth noting that these finds were not always somehow connected with Atlantis. Although they had a character no less important for science.

Atlantean civilization in the Aegean?

The most real among modern versions is the location of the disappeared mainland in the Aegean Sea. Researchers claim that Atlantis was associated with Minoan civilization on the island of Crete and existed until the 16th century BC. Around this time, a volcano erupted on the island of Santorini, and the legendary Atlanteans sunk into oblivion. Geological studies confirm the theory. Scientists have discovered underwater deposits of volcanic ash several tens of meters thick in this area. But whether the remains of a great race were preserved under the ashes, science is not able to answer. It remains to be hoped that "yet" is not able to.

Atlantis in Antarctica?

Another interesting theory is the location of the missing continent under a two-kilometer layer of ice in Antarctica. Upon closer examination, the theory no longer seems fantastic. For starters, you should pay attention to the ancient maps of our planet. In 1665, the work of the German Jesuit Athanasius Kircher saw the light. Among other things, it featured a reproduction Egyptian map. The map showed Antarctica in detail without ice. This, according to the Egyptians, it was 12,000 years ago. Surprisingly, the configuration of the island on the map is strikingly similar to the outline of Antarctica, obtained using modern equipment.

In addition, ice-free Antarctica is found on many later maps. The fact remains. In the memory of the ancestors, Antarctica was present without ice. Never see her like this again. It is worth noting that many of the ancient maps depicting Atlantis are incredibly detailed and accurate to the minute. How such reliability was achieved also remains a mystery.

How did Atlantis disappear?

Any variations on the theme: "Where to look for Atlantis?" should prove how this continent could disappear in an incredibly short time. According to Plato, Atlantis went under water within a day. Obviously, no cataclysm can produce such a destructive effect. One out of two:

Either Atlantis went into the depths of the sea longer than the stated time;
or the death of the Atlanteans came from outside.

The statement of the same Lama Labsang Rampa fits very smoothly on this hypothesis. In his writings, he stated that the catastrophe was due to a planetoid that collided with the Earth. Thus, displacing it from orbit and forcing it to rotate in the other direction. Let scientists judge the possibility of such an event, but it really explains both the shift of the continents and the disappearance of the first civilization.

The Atlantean Empire is fraught with many secrets, the clues to which are so desirable for enthusiasts. And it is safe to say that research will not subside until Atlantis is found. There is no smoke without fire. So, there is hope that the disappeared continent will come out to meet its descendants.

Movie about Atlantis

If interested, watch the online video film " lost World- Atlantis. The Mystery of the Lost Civilization.

Science fiction writers and filmmakers have shown more than once how diverse life outside our planet can be. They pushed mankind to lose the ability to admire different biological species and ancient civilizations on Earth. At their suggestion, people began to be frivolous about huge reckonings lasting billions of years. In this regard, today it is important for a person to clearly understand the boundaries of space fantasy and the real history of his earthly home.

The earth has existed for endless billions of years and its appearance may have completely changed during this time. If we had the opportunity to go into the past and look, we would not recognize her.

Plato on the mysteries of Atlantis

Based on the statements of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, 15,000 years ago in Atlantic Ocean Atlantis was located. In his stories, he only slightly mentioned the location of the mainland, but accurately described the life and culture of the Atlantean civilization. According to him, the cities of Atlantis amazed the imagination with their grandeur. He also described how high the technical level of development existed among the Atlanteans.

However, Plato himself did not see all this. He was told by his uncle Solon, who was in Egypt and heard about the Atlanteans from the priests of the goddess Neith. Solon was even pointed to the inscriptions in the temples, which are real evidence of the existence of the continent. Solon concluded: the Atlanteans knew about the death of the continent, so they did everything in order to preserve the human gene pool and its great secrets.

According to Plato, the mainland Atlantis sank under water in a few hours. How could such a huge piece of land sink in such a short time? After all, no natural disaster will produce such destruction. Therefore, scientists put forward two versions: either the continent went into the waters of the ocean longer than they say, or the death of the Atlantean civilization came from outer space.

Versions of scientists

To find the flooded mainland, scientists explored the entire Earth. There is information that can make humanity take a different look at its history.

Experts believe that the most likely location of the continent is the Aegean Sea. Atlantes were closely associated with the Minoan civilization, which existed long before our era. e. However, it happened strong eruption on the island of Santorini and Atlantis sank into the sea. According to geological studies, this theory is indirectly confirmed. So, in this area, many meters of deposits of volcanic ash were actually noticed under water. However, whether there are remains of the Atlanteans under them - science cannot say.

Another place to look for Atlantis, scientists call modern Antarctica. Ancient maps of the Earth make this version not so fantastic. So, at the beginning of 1665, the German Jesuit Athanasius Kircher presented a copy of the Egyptian map, where Antarctica was depicted without ice. And with the help of the latest equipment, data were obtained that show the complete similarity of the outlines of the Egyptian map with the modern one. There are also similar maps of Antarctica, which are now in various museums around the world.

The ancient Sumerians, who lived on the territory of Mesopotamia, were in contact with a civilization that lives on the planet Nibiru. The Dagons are a tribe of Central Africa, for almost 6 thousand years they have kept evidence of contacts with representatives of the planet Sirius. However, the most interesting and mysterious ancient civilization for scientists all over the world, the Atlanteans are considered. They, in addition to a high level of science and technology, possessed telepathic and extrasensory abilities. Perhaps it was the Atlanteans that were the ancestors of man.

Who were the Atlanteans?

Marine explorer Edward Case has slightly lifted the veil of this mystery. A scientist in 1930 found traces of a dead continent between Gulf of Mexico And mediterranean sea. Atlantean traces have also been found in America, Morocco, British Honduras and the Pyrenees. On the border Bermuda and Puerto Rico (Sargasso Sea) is supposedly the largest part of Atlantis. According to Casey, it is very difficult for modern human civilization to imagine how much the Atlanteans were ahead of us in all areas. And the growth of these people was much higher than ours. According to Casey, their development was completely different from ours. The Atlanteans had the ability to move freely on the earth, not paying attention to the force of gravity. Their communication took place telepathically, and with the power of thought, the Atlanteans could move objects weighing several tens of tons.

Only time can destroy material traces. But the civilization of the Atlanteans left behind in the memory of all nationalities a large amount of information that was passed down from generation to generation. So, Plato did not have any evidence of the existence of the Atlanteans, except for the story of his uncle, but even modern scientists believed him. Apparently, on a subconscious level, they felt that there was truth in this story. Therefore, in the 21st century, the search for this amazing civilization continues.

Interest in this country is fueled by the desire of scientists to get answers to numerous questions: who were the Atlanteans and where did they come from? What destroyed their civilization? Was it an accidental death? However, experts scientific world are well aware that if Atlantis is found, then official history development of human civilization will melt like a misty haze when sunshine. To date, there are enough facts that speak of the reliability of Plato's stories.

Myths and legends

The peoples of the world on the five continents of the Earth in myths and legends mention the giants, who were once the dominant race.

In Egypt, they believe that their first dynasty arose from giants who sailed to them by sea and taught them medicine, as well as the art of building.

Greek mythology mentions giants born from the blood of Uranus. One of them was the famous Antaeus, who was killed by Hercules. And the titan Prometheus taught the Greeks how to use fire.

The ancient Roman erudite writer Pliny the Elder in his author's writings says that during a strong earthquake a large hill collapsed, which exposed the skeleton of a giant 20 meters high. The Greek writer Philostratus, who later began to live in Rome, spoke about his discovery in Ethiopia. He found a strange burial, where there was a skeleton of a man, whose height was 15 meters.

The Spanish geographer and historian of the 16th century, Cieza de Leon, tells the legend of the attack of the giants. They sailed on ships and during the night managed to build the Tiwanaku temple, which today is an archaeological complex.

In the ancient Indian epic in Sanskrit, there is a story about the titans who opposed Rama. Hanuman - one of the giants, became the protector of people.

In the history of the Toltecs there are legends about big people disappeared from the face of the Earth after strong earthquakes.

The abyss of time separates human civilization from the Atlanteans who once lived. They were far superior to us in every way. But their traces of spiritual knowledge are imprinted on Earth forever. Today there is evidence of only a small part of the existence of the Atlanteans, and all of them are based on fragments of facts that are not fully understood. The fragmentary information of geologists, paleontologists and archaeologists cannot be fully formed into a complete picture that decides the question of Atlantis. Where was she and where did she go? Is there a connection between the past and the future? Perhaps everything happens according to the Laws of the Cosmos? Will we be able to find the disappeared Atlantis or is it valuable knowledge lost forever?

Findings of archaeologists

Atlantis can be found! There is confirmation of this - archaeological finds of the remains of giants around the world. So, in mid-2008, in Georgia, near the city of Borjomi, archaeologists found the remains of a giant, whose growth was more than 3 meters.

And anthropologists in Australia found a human tooth 67 mm high and 42 mm wide. Such a tooth could be in a person with a height of more than 7 meters and a weight of 350 kilograms.

In Turkey, paleontologists have dug up many fossilized human remains. For example, the leg bone is 1 meter 20 centimeters long.

Chinese archaeologists have discovered a large number of human jaw fragments. Their growth could be more than 3.5 meters.

Many legends of Easter Island speak of giants who erected statues 20 meters high and weighing 50 tons. The race that placed these statues was called "masters who fell from the sky."

According to many scientists of the Great Sphinx, it was the Atlanteans who created the statues of Bamiyan and the pyramids of Egypt. Their civilization is considered the most highly developed that ever existed. They took to the air on mysterious aircraft, could fall on great depth and even fly to other planets. According to the Hindu gurus, these structures were lifted into the air by the power of thought. However, the civilization of the Atlanteans perished during the Flood. Why? What are the reasons for her death?

Russian writer and religious philosopher Helena Ivanovna Roerich in her book "Agni Yoga" concluded that the time of existence of human civilization is coming to an end. Our modern life corresponds to the last days of the Atlanteans. Today there is a complete spiritual savagery, betrayal, war, famine, devastation, death. Science is defiled and becomes the subject of contention and speculation. Spiritual heritage is being destroyed, churches are emptying. Greed, selfishness and cruelty are everywhere. The balance of forces between the Cosmos and the Earth collapses. This will create a catastrophe that will destroy our civilization, as it destroyed Atlantis in its time.

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The debate about whether the existence of Atlantis was a reality or beautiful legend, have not ceased for many centuries. On this occasion, a large number of the most controversial theories were put forward, but they were all based on information obtained from the texts of ancient Greek authors, none of whom personally saw this. mysterious island, and transmitted only information received from earlier sources. So how true is the legend of Atlantis and where did it come from in our modern world?

An island sunk into the sea

First of all, let us clarify that the word "Atlantis" is commonly understood as some fantastic (since there is no direct evidence of its existence) island located in the Atlantic Ocean. Its exact location is unknown. According to the most popular legend, Atlantis was located somewhere near the north west coast Africa, bordered by the chain of the Atlas Mountains, and near the Pillars of Hercules, framing the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar.

It was placed there in his dialogues (works written in the form of a conversation of historical or fictional persons) by the famous ancient Greek philosopher Plato. On the basis of his works, a very popular legend about Atlantis was subsequently born. It says that around 9500 BC. e. in the above area there was a terrible earthquake, as a result of which the island forever plunged into the abyss of the ocean.

On that day, an ancient and highly developed civilization, created by the islanders, whom Plato calls "Atlanteans", perished. It should be immediately noted that, due to similar names, they are sometimes mistakenly identified with characters ancient Greek mythology- mighty titans holding the vault of heaven on their shoulders. This mistake is so common that when looking at the sculptures by the outstanding Russian sculptor A. I. Terebenev (see photo below), decorating the portico of the New Hermitage in St. Petersburg, many people associate with heroes who once sunk deep into the seas.

A mystery that excites the minds of people

During the Middle Ages, the works of Plato, as well as most other ancient historians and philosophers, were forgotten, but already in the XIV-XVI centuries, which received the name of the Renaissance, interest in them, and at the same time in Atlantis and the legend associated with its existence , increased rapidly. It does not weaken to this day, giving rise to heated scientific discussions. Scientists around the world are trying to find real evidence of the events described by Plato and a number of his followers, and to answer the question of what Atlantis really was - legend or reality?

An island inhabited by people who created the highest civilization at that time, and then swallowed up by the ocean, is a mystery, exciting minds people and encouraging them to look for answers outside the real world. It is known that even in Ancient Greece the legend of Atlantis gave impetus to many mystical teachings, and in modern history it inspired theosophical thinkers. The best known of these are H. P. Blavatsky and A. P. Sinnett. The authors of various kinds of near-scientific and simply fantastic works of various genres, which also turned to the image of Atlantis, did not stand aside.

Where did the legend come from?

But let us return to the writings of Plato, since they are the primary source that aroused centuries-old disputes and discussions. As mentioned above, the mention of Atlantis is contained in two of his dialogues, called Timaeus and Critias. Both are devoted to the issue state structure and are conducted on behalf of his contemporaries: the Athenian politician Critias, as well as two philosophers - Socrates and Timaeus. We note right away that Plato makes a reservation that the primary source of all information about Atlantis is the story of the ancient Egyptian priests, which was passed down orally from generation to generation and finally reached him.

The troubles that befell the Atlanteans

The first of the dialogues contains a report by Critias about the war between Athens and Atlantis. According to him, the island, with the army of which his compatriots had to face, was so large that it surpassed all of Asia in size, which gives reason to call it the mainland with full right. As for the state formed on it, it amazed everyone with its greatness and, being unusually powerful, conquered Libya, as well as a significant territory of Europe, stretching up to Tirrenia (Western Italy).

In 9500 B.C. e. Atlanteans, wanting to conquer Athens, brought down on them all the power of their previously invincible army, but, despite the clear superiority of forces, they could not succeed. The Athenians repulsed the invasion and, having defeated the enemy, returned freedom to the peoples who until then had been in slavery to the islanders. However, the troubles did not recede from the prosperous and once prosperous Atlantis. The legend, or rather, the story of Critias, which is based on it, tells further about a terrible natural disaster that completely destroyed the island and forced it to sink into ocean depths. Literally within a day, the raging elements wiped off the face of the earth huge continent and put an end to the highly developed culture created on it.

Commune of Athenian rulers

The continuation of this story is the second dialogue that has come down to us, called Critias. In it, the same Athenian politician tells in more detail about the two great states of antiquity, whose armies met on the battlefield shortly before the fatal flood. Athens, according to him, was a highly developed state and so pleasing to the gods that, according to legend, the end of Atlantis was a foregone conclusion.

The description of the system of government that was arranged in it is quite remarkable. According to Critias, on the Acropolis - a hill, and still towering in the center Greek capital- there was a certain commune, partly reminiscent of those that the founders of the communist movement imagined in their imagination. Everything in it was equal and everything was enough in abundance. But it was not inhabited ordinary people, but by rulers and warriors who ensured the maintenance of the order they desired in the country. The laboring masses were only allowed to reverently look at their shining heights and fulfill the plans descended from there.

Arrogant descendants of Poseidon

In the same treatise, the author contrasted the humble and virtuous Athenians with the high-proud Atlanteans. Their ancestor, as is clear from the work of Plato, was the god of the seas Poseidon himself. Once, having witnessed how an earthly girl named Kleito did not live her young body in the waves, he was inflamed with passion and, having evoked reciprocal feelings in her, became the father of ten sons - demigods, half-humans.

The eldest of them, named Atlas, was put in charge of the island, divided into nine parts, each of which was under the command of one of his brothers. In the future, not only the island inherited his name, but even the ocean on which he was located. All his brothers became the founders of dynasties that lived and ruled in this fertile land for many centuries. This is how the legend describes the birth of Atlantis as a powerful and sovereign state.

Island of abundance and wealth

In his work, Plato also gives the dimensions of this legendary mainland island known to him. According to him, it was 540 km long and at least 360 km wide. The highest point of this vast territory was a hill, the height of which the author does not specify, but writes that it was located about 9-10 km from the seashore.

It was on it that the palace of the ruler was built, which Poseidon himself surrounded by three land and two water defensive rings. Later, his Atlantean descendants threw bridges over them and dug additional channels through which ships could freely approach the piers located at the very walls of the palace. They also erected many temples on the central hill, richly decorated with gold and decorated with statues of celestials and earthly rulers of Atlantis.

Myths and legends, born on the basis of the writings of Plato, are full of descriptions of the treasures owned by the descendants of the sea god, as well as the richness of nature and the fertility of the island. In the dialogues of the ancient Greek philosopher, in particular, it is mentioned that, despite the densely populated Atlantis, wild animals lived very freely on its territory, among which there were even not yet tamed and not domesticated elephants. At the same time, Plato does not disregard many of the negative aspects of the life of the islanders, which caused the wrath of the gods and caused the catastrophe.

The end of Atlantis and the beginning of the legend

Peace and prosperity that had reigned there for many centuries collapsed overnight through the fault of the Atlanteans themselves. The author writes that as long as the inhabitants of the island put virtue above wealth and honors, the celestials were favorable to them, but turned away from them as soon as the glitter of gold eclipsed spiritual values ​​in their eyes. Looking at how people who had lost their divine essence were filled with pride, greed and anger, Zeus did not want to restrain his anger and, having gathered other gods, gave them the right to pass their sentence. This is where the manuscript of the ancient Greek philosopher ends, but, judging by the catastrophe that soon befell the wicked proud, they were considered unworthy of mercy, which ultimately led to such a sad outcome.

The legends of Atlantis (or information about real events - this remains unknown) attracted the attention of many ancient Greek historians and writers. In particular, the Athenian Hellanic, who lived in the 5th century BC. e., also describes this island in one of his writings, however, calling it a little differently - Atlantiad - and not mentioning its death. However, modern researchers, for a number of reasons, believe that his story is not related to lost Atlantis, but to Crete, which has successfully survived the centuries, in whose history the sea god Poseidon also appears, who conceived a son from an earthly maiden.

It is curious that the name "Atlantes" was applied by ancient Greek and Roman authors not only to the islanders, but also to the inhabitants of continental Africa. In particular, Herodotus, as well as a no less famous historian, so called a certain tribe that lived in the Atlas Mountains near the ocean coast. These African Atlanteans were very warlike and, being at a low stage of development, waged constant wars with foreigners, among whom were the legendary Amazons.

As a result, they were completely exterminated by their neighbors, the troglodytes, who, although they were in a semi-animal state, still managed to win. There is an opinion that Aristotle said on this occasion that it was not the military superiority of the savages that led to the death of the Atlantean tribe, but the creator of the world, Zeus, killed them for their iniquities.

A product of fantasy that survived the ages

The attitude of modern researchers to the information presented in Plato's dialogues and in the writings of a number of other authors is extremely skeptical. Most of them consider Atlantis a legend with no real basis. Their position is explained primarily by the fact that for many centuries no material evidence of its existence has been found. It really is. There is a complete lack of archaeological evidence for the existence at the end ice age, as well as the millennia closest to it advanced civilization V West Africa or Greece.

It is also bewildering that the story allegedly told to the world by the ancient Greek priests and then passed down to Plato in oral retelling was not reflected in any of the written monuments found on the banks of the Nile. This involuntarily suggests that the ancient Greek philosopher himself composed tragic story Atlantis.

He could well borrow the beginning of the legend from the rich domestic mythology, in which the gods often became the founders of entire nations and continents. As for the tragic denouement of the plot, he needed it. The fictitious island should have been destroyed to give the story an external credibility. Otherwise, how could he explain to his contemporaries (and, of course, to his descendants) the absence of traces of his existence.

Researchers of antiquity also pay attention to the fact that when talking about a mysterious continent located near the western coast of Africa, and about its inhabitants, the author cites only Greek names and geographical names. This is very strange and suggests that he himself invented them.

tragic mistake

At the end of the article, we will cite some very amusing statements that zealous supporters of the historicity of the existence of Atlantis come out with today. As mentioned above, today it has been raised to the shield by many supporters of the occult movements and all sorts of mystics who do not want to reckon with the absurdity of their own theories. Pseudo-scientists are not inferior to them, trying to pass off their fabrications as discoveries allegedly made by them.

For example, in recent years, articles have repeatedly appeared on the pages of the press, as well as on the Internet, that the Atlanteans (the existence of which the authors did not question) have made such a high progress that they have carried out extensive research activities in the field of nuclear physics. Even the disappearance of the continent itself is explained by the tragedy that occurred as a result of their unsuccessful nuclear test.

Atlantis was first described by the Greek philosopher Plato - 2000 years ago he claimed that this prosperous, powerful civilization died as a result of the aggression of the Athenians and the wrath of the gods who drowned the island in the depths of the ocean. One could consider this country an invention of the writer, however, Herodotus, Strabo and Diodorus Siculus also mention Atlantis - philosophers who would hardly have begun to exaggerate deliberately false rumors. During the Renaissance, the myth of Atlantis captured many minds: in search of mysterious country whole caravans of ships were sent, some of which simply did not return back. Naturally, this only gave rise to new wave interest.

In the middle of the last century, researchers decided to develop a new doctrine - atlantalogy. For a couple of decades, quite serious developments were carried out, but then science community again awarded Atlantis the status of a myth. Is it really?

Sergio Frau, an Italian writer and expert on ancient civilizations, announced his discovery. He claims to have found the remains of a city hidden under water. The research was carried out in the southern part of Italy, off the coast of the island of Sardinia.

What happened to the Atlanteans

Naturally, such a statement caused a wave of skeptical remarks from serious researchers. ancient history. However, after much discussion, scientists came to the conclusion that Atlantis could indeed be destroyed by a huge tidal wave. The tsunami was caused by the fall of a meteorite, in the second millennium BC.

Evidence

Sergio Frau and his team have already provided several antique objects allegedly raised from the bottom of the drowned state. Frau claims that the southern tip of Sardinia looks like a city sunk a long time ago. This is indirectly confirmed by past finds of researchers: back in the middle of the 20th century, metal tools, ceramics and oil lamps were found in the same area - objects that were not yet in the everyday life of local tribes.

Past speculation

On the other hand, all previous explorations of Atlantis were carried out in a slightly different place. Experts believed that if the state existed, then it was located somewhere between Morocco and Spain, in the middle of the Strait of Gibraltar.

Plato and his state

Many scholars believed that Plato described this fictional civilization as some kind of illustration of his political theories. The philosopher described the city as a large conglomeration of highly developed tribes, highly respected by their neighbors due to their huge fleet. According to Plato, the kings of Atlantis were the descendants of Poseidon himself and managed to conquer most of Western Europe and Africa, before the catastrophe happened.

Dark Ages of Sardinia

Bad times came for the island of Sardinia around 1175. This fact attracted Frau, who was well aware that before the Dark Ages, the people of Sardinia were a very progressive tribe and used iron tools. Consequently, there was some kind of catastrophe that threw Sardinia almost into primitive society - and Frau believes that this was the flooding of Atlantis.

Mysterious Towers

Towers on top of Sardinia's mountains are connected by complex underground tunnels that have been equipped with food storage systems. Scientists have not been able to understand why this system was built. The only reasonable explanation was also offered by the ancient philosopher Plutarch, who claimed that the islanders looked from high towers how their country is sinking. Thus, these structures can be the same towers, pre-equipped in anticipation of a catastrophe.

Truth or fiction

By and large, all the artifacts found and the studies carried out do not prove the existence of Atlantis. Sergio Frau could well have found the remains of another small settlement, abandoned before sinking into the depths of the sea. However, there is still a good chance that scientists eventually found the remains of a legendary civilization.