Behold the mystery of Atlantis!
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. Even some people say that the nation of Atlantis is a group of descendants of an alien race that has a super high tech. But anyway, how many of you who've read the book Timaeus and Critias Plato? There is always a debate over whether Atlantis described by Plato is a fiction or reality. I had absolutely no difficulty to accept the theory that Atlantis is a nation that actually existed in history. But
it seems I have difficulty to accept the theory that Atlantis is a land
of the gods, the descendants of Ras super aliens with super high tech,
or the theory of the new age adherents who consider Atlantis as a
mythical continent that has a significant role in the life of mankind.Even Hitler believed that Aryans are the direct descendants of the Atlanteans who made he ordered a search of this continent.
Maybe
that makes people think that they are descendants of aliens is because
Plato declared that the nation of Atlantis comes from the offspring of
Poseidon, Greek God of the Ocean (this applies to those who believe in
the theory that the ancient gods were aliens).But
interestingly, if we examine the stories of the ancient legends of
ancient China, Sumer, Egypt, Greece and even Indonesia, we also will
find a legend that tells that they are direct descendants of the Gods. So I thought, The Legend of Atlantis is not much different from the legends of other races. (Sorry for the fans of Atlantis)But there are lots of interesting things can be learned from the story of Atlantis. And for those who do not know, I include below a short description of Atlantis.The pieces of this sentence I have translated from the English version of the Timaeus and Critias Benjamin Jowett translation. You can also download it yourself by clicking 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 of Atlantis was told by Critias who heard the story from his grandfather also named Critias. While the Critias (the grandfather) heard it from Solon. And Solon heard from Egyptian priests.Timaeus is only slightly touched on Atlantis. While more Critias describes Atlantis. However, it seems has not been resolved by Critias Plato, so we only got a piece of the story of Atlantis. But at least enough to take lessons from this remarkable nation.
Location of Atlantis
"This
power comes from the Atlantic Ocean. At that time, the Atlantic ocean
navigable and there is an island located in front of the straits which
you call the pillars of Hercules. The island was larger than Libya and
Asia combined, and the pillars are also a entrance
to the other islands around it, 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. But the sea
beyond
it is a real sea, and the continent that surrounds it can be called a
continent without borders. In the region of Atlantis, there was a great
empire that ruled the entire island and surrounding islands as well as
some regions in other continents "(Timaeus)
The origins of the Atlantis
"Previously
I have talked about the division of territory held for the gods and how
they are spread throughout the world in different proportions. And
Poseidon, receiving his share, which is the island of Atlantis." (Critias)
"In
the middle of the island there is a plateau which is considered the
best and has a fertile soil. Where there was a mountain that is not too
high on the respective sides. In the mountains lived a mortal man named
Evenor who has a wife named Leucippe. They
have one daughter named Cleito. When Cleito has grown up, my father and
mother died. Poseidon fell in love and have intercourse with him. " (Critias)
Soil Characteristics of Atlantis
"Poseidon
then broke ground around the hill where the hill lived Cleito so apart
from the other plain. The hill is now surrounded by a circular sea.
Poseidon makes two parts of land like this so that number to two land
surrounded by the three territorial waters." (Critias)
"Each
land has sirkumferen which is equidistant from the center of the
island. So no one person and one kapalpun that can reach the island.
Poseidon then made two springs in the middle of the island, the water
warm and one cold water. he also makes a wide variety of foods emerge from the fertile soil. " (Critias)
Ancestors nation of Atlantis
"Poseidon
and Cleito have five pairs of male twins. He then divides the island of
Atlantis into ten sections. He gave the eldest son of the first twins
and their mother's place of residence of the surrounding area which is
the widest and best land. He also made the king of his brothers. Poseidon gave him the name Atlas. And so the whole island and the ocean was called Atlantic. " (Critias)
The prosperity of the Nation of Atlantis
"Land of Atlantis is the world's best land and therefore able to accommodate a large army." (Critias)"The land also benefits from annual rainfall, has an abundant supply in all places." (Critias)"Orichalcum
can be dug in many parts of the island. At that time Orichalcum is more
valuable than any precious objects, except for gold. On the island
there are also lots of wood for carpenters' work and an ample supply for
farm animals or wild animals, who
live in the river or the land, who live in the mountains or plains.
Even on the island there are also many elephants "(Critias)
Community structure of Atlantis
"In
those days, the Atlantis inhabited by various classes of society. There
is a mason, carpenter, there are husbands and soldiers. For the
soldiers, they got their own territory and all the necessities for life
and education are provided by abundant. They never think
that belonged to them is their own. They regard it as belonging
together. They also never require more food than necessary. " (Critias)"The
soldiers are living around the temple of Athena and Hephaestus at the
top of the hill. In that place they then build a fence to protect the
place. In the north, they build a room to eat in the winter and create
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 built a modest home where their children can grow." (Critias)'This
is how they live, they become guardians 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. This is how they manage their region and the entire area with a fair Hellas. Atlantis became very famous throughout Europe and Asia because of his good looks and kindness of its inhabitants. "(Critias)
Atlantis Technology
"They
built temples, palaces and ports. They also manage the entire region,
including the following: first they built a bridge to connect the water
with the land surrounding the ancient city. Then make your way to and
from the direction of the palace. They built a palace on the spot residence
of the gods and their ancestors who continue to be maintained by
subsequent generations. Every king extraordinary abilities to the next
king until they are able to construct a building unusually large and
beautiful. " (Critias)"And
they built a canal 300 feet wide with a depth of 100 feet and length of
50 stadia (9 miles). They also create a driveway large enough to pass
through even the largest ships and Through this channel they can sail to
the outer zone." (Critias)
Destruction of the island of Atlantis
"9,000
years is the number of years that have taken place since the war that
occurred between those who dwelt outside the pillars of Hercules with
those who dwell in it. War is what will I describe." (Critias)"Forces
that one led by the cities of Athens. On the other hand, troops led by
the kings of Atlantis, which as I have explained, an island larger than
Libya and Asia combined, which was then destroyed by an earthquake and a pile of mud that became an obstacle to the explorers who sailed to other parts of the ocean. " (Critias)"Many
of the flood that has occurred over 9,000 years, the number of years it
has happened when I spoke. And during that time there have been many
changes. It has never happened in history so much accumulation of land
that falls from the mountains in the region. But the land has been falling and stockpiling areas of Atlantis and covered eyes. " (Critias)"Because
only overnight, exceptional heavy rain swept the earth and at the same
time an earthquake. Then came the flood that swept through the region." (Critias)"But
after that, came the earthquakes and floods are sweeping. And in one
day and night, all the people sink into the bowels of the earth and the
island of Atlantis disappeared into the ocean. And for this reason, the
ocean can not there be skipped and explored because there are piles of mud caused by the destruction of the island of proficiency level. " (Timaeus)
Closing - Lessons from Atlantis
"Over
many generations, a noble character living in them, they were obedient
to the law and have a strong interest to the gods. They have a good way
of life, combining gentleness with wisdom in all aspects of life and in
conjunction with others." (Critias)"They
do not want to take up arms against each other, and they will soon be
rushing to help his king when there was an attempt to overthrow it. They
resist all evil and only do good. They just put a little attention to
their own lives. They underestimate the wealth of gold and silver seemed only a burden for 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 between one another which is also accompanied by
a respect among fellow. Such characters continue to grow at between them. " (Critias)
"However,
these noble characters begin to fade and become too often compromised.
They mingled with earthly qualities, and it then becomes the controlling
nature. Therefore they are no longer able to bear the wealth they have.
They began to behave appropriately and eyes they become myopic because they have lost their most precious possessions. " (Critias)
"Zeus,
king of the gods who rule by law and be able to see the evil deeds that
they do begin to declare the punishment for a respectable race so they
can be aware and purified. Then he began collecting the gods from their
respective residence. After they
all together, Zeus says: ....." (Critias)
And that's Critias ends with the sentence, not resolved. So we'll never know what to say by Zeus. But even though this book was never completed, its impact on human beings is much greater than the thousands of other books.