Myth of lost Atlantis

The connection between the myth of Atlantis and the island of Santorini: The mystery of the lost Atlantis is one of the most popular myths in the world. However, no one could ever prove Atlantis truly existed. Some support that the catastrophe of the Minoan civilization and Ancient Thera (Santorini) are strongly connected with the lost Atlantis, but limited evidence has been presented to support that theory.

The first written source for the myth of Atlantis originates from the Athenian philosopher Plato (427- 437 BC). He stated that the people of Atlantis lived peacefully on a prosperous island beyond the Pillars of Hercules (today's narrow passages of Gibraltar), so it is assumed that Atlantis was probably located somewhere between Europe and America, maybe in the Atlantic Ocean. However, it is doubted that such an advanced civilization, like the one described by Plato, ever existed as back in the past as it is mentioned.

The story of Atlantis was conveyed to Solon by Egyptian priests on one of his trips to Egypt, as says, Plato. Likewise, Plato describes the story of Atlantis in his dialogues Critias and Timaeus. Among the impressive things that Solon heard from the priest was that the Atlantians originally had divine powers but gradually lost them. After they were left only with human powers, they decided to go against other prosperous islands. They traveled around the Mediterranean and conquered many places until they were defeated by the Athenians. Eventually, the anger of the gods for the arrogance of the Atlantians lead to their punishment. The Olympians obliterated Atlantis in one night, leaving only masses of mud behind.

As historians have noticed, the Minoan settlement of Akrotiri, discovered on the island of Santorini, was a developed settlement that was destroyed around 1,500 BC due to the strong eruption of the Santorini volcano. The intensity of this volcanic eruption was so powerful that the tsunami waves in the Aegean Sea reached and destroyed the Minoan settlements of northern Crete. Plato's description of the destruction of the mythological Atlantis has many common points with the story of the Minoan Akrotiri, which also disappeared without leaving any trace.

Akrotiri, which was covered by the volcanic ashes of Santorini, means that the island could be the lost Atlantis that vanished in one night. Moreover, archaeologists point out the fact that Ancient Thera (Santorini) had a flourishing economy, and the Minoans were great seafarers who carried out trade and commerce with other Mediterranean countries.

Scientists have today concluded that the mystery of Atlantis island is just a myth with countless unanswerable questions. Therefore, it is possible that Atlantis never existed. However, this myth has raised many arguments and has inspired much talking on this myth.

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