Al-Atlal, a universal human memory of greatness

The word “Al-Atlal” (الأطلال) in Arabic translates to “The Ruins” in English. It often carries deep poetic and emotional connotations, symbolizing memories of the past, lost love, or remnants of something once beautiful and meaningful.

In classical Arabic literature, “Atlal” also refers to the ruins of a lover’s dwelling, a motif often used in pre-Islamic poetry (Al-Mu’allaqat) to signify the poet’s reflection on impermanence and the passage of time.

The term “Al-Atlal” could metaphorically connect to Atlantis, as both evoke the idea of a lost or past civilization now in ruins. While “Al-Atlal” traditionally refers to tangible remnants—ruins left behind by a once-thriving society—it resonates deeply with the concept of Atlantis, symbolizing the mystery, grandeur, and tragic fall of a civilization.

In the context of Atlantis, “Al-Atlal” could evoke:

1. Lost Grandeur: Both represent a golden era of knowledge, culture, or power that has faded into legend or remains.
2. Cultural Memory: Just as “Al-Atlal” captures the emotional remnants of something cherished, Atlantis remains a symbol of humanity’s fascination with the past and the lessons it holds.
3. Mystery of Ruins: The ruins in “Al-Atlal” parallel the mythical ruins of Atlantis beneath the sea, shrouded in mystery and longing for discovery.

This analogy could deepen discussions of Atlantis by framing it not just as a myth, but as a poetic memory of lost greatness and the enduring impact of civilizations on human consciousness.

In Plato’s dialogues—specifically the “Timaeus” and the unfinished “Critias”—the story of Atlantis is conveyed through a chain of storytellers that traces back to an Egyptian priest.

Here’s how the transmission of the story unfolds:

1. Solon and the Egyptian Priest: Solon, a famous Athenian lawmaker and one of the Seven Sages of Greece, is said to have visited Egypt around 590 BCE. In the city of Sais, he conversed with a high priest who shared the tale of Atlantis with him. The priest claimed that Egyptian civilization had records of events far older than those known to the Greeks, including the story of a mighty island empire called Atlantis.
2. Solon to Critias the Elder: Upon returning to Greece, Solon intended to use the story as the basis for an epic poem but never completed it. He shared the tale with his friend Dropides.
3. Generational Passing: Dropides passed the story to his son, Critias the Elder, who then relayed it to his grandson, Critias the Younger.
4. Critias to Socrates: In Plato’s dialogues, Critias the Younger recounts the story during a conversation with Socrates and others, using it to discuss themes of ideal societies, morality, and hubris.

Key Points About Atlantis in the Dialogues:

• Location: Atlantis was said to be a powerful island nation located beyond the “Pillars of Heracles” (commonly identified with the Strait of Gibraltar).
• Conflict with Ancient Athens: Atlantis allegedly waged war against the countries inside the Pillars of Heracles, including ancient Athens, showcasing a contrast between the virtuous Athenians and the hubristic Atlanteans.
• Destruction: According to the story, Atlantis sank into the sea in a single day and night of misfortune, a punishment from the gods for the Atlanteans’ moral decline.

Significance: Egypt’s connection adds a layer of antiquity and authority to the story, as Egyptian civilization was considered ancient and wise. This has led to various theories and debates about the possible historical basis for Atlantis.

Atlantis has Greek origins, deriving from Atlas, the mythical Titan who held up the heavens in Greek mythology. However, the intriguing similarity between the Arabic word Al-Atlal (meaning “the ruins”) and Atlantis invites speculation, particularly given the thematic connection of both words to lost civilizations.

Possible Connections or Linguistic Parallels

Greek Origin of Atlantis:

In Greek, “Atlantis” means “of Atlas” or “belonging to Atlas.” The story suggests that the island was named after the Titan Atlas and is associated with the Atlantic Ocean. Plato’s account is firmly rooted in Greek mythology and linguistic traditions.

Arabic Word Al-Atlal:

Central to both terms, the concept of ruins or remnants of a lost civilization suggests a universal human preoccupation with the memory of greatness and its eventual decay.

Cultural or Historical Influence:

Plato claimed that the story of Atlantis originated from Egyptian priests, who might have used terms or concepts analogous to “ruins” when describing a lost civilization.

Hypothetical Scenarios

Shared Archetypes:

Many cultures have themes of lost civilizations, destruction, and moral decline. The similarity between “Atlantis” and “Al-Atlal” could reflect a shared archetype rather than a direct linguistic link.

Cross-Cultural Interactions:

Given the ancient connections between the Mediterranean, Egypt, and the Arabian Peninsula, it’s plausible that ideas about lost civilizations influenced multiple cultures, even if the linguistic similarity is coincidental.

“Atl” in Nahuatl

The root “Atl”, meaning water, originates from the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs, not Greek or Arabic. However, its connection to Atlantis is an interesting angle to consider, especially given Atlantis’s association with water and the sea. While there is no direct linguistic link between Nahuatl and Greek or Arabic, let’s explore this in a broader context.

• In Nahuatl, “Atl” directly means water.
• Examples include:
  • Aztlán: A legendary homeland of the Aztec people, often referred to as the “place of whiteness” or a mythical watery region.
  • Atlanteotl: A deity associated with water.

The term Atl, symbolizing water, could metaphorically refer to Atlantis, a civilization said to have been surrounded by water and ultimately submerged.

Atlantis and “Atl”

Greek Derivation:

Atlantis comes from Atlas, a Greek Titan. The name is connected to the Atlantic Ocean and the idea of vast, encompassing waters. While “Atl” as “water” is not Greek, the connection between Atlantis and the sea is central to the myth, making the linguistic coincidence intriguing.

Connection to “Al-Atlal”

• The Arabic Al-Atlal refers to ruins or remnants, which can imply remnants left by water (e.g., ruins after a flood or submerged cities).
• This conceptual overlap deepens if Atlantis was influenced by stories of catastrophic floods (as seen in various ancient flood myths).

Hypothetical Links or Universality

Water often represents life, destruction, and renewal across cultures. The linguistic similarity between “Atl” (water), Atlantis, and even Al-Atlal (remains) may reflect this shared symbolic importance.

If Plato’s Atlantis story originated in Egypt and Nahuatl’s “Atl” originates in Mesoamerica, both may independently tap into universal myths of water-related destruction (e.g., floods, and deluges).

Conclusion

While “Atl” in Nahuatl, meaning water, likely has no direct etymological link to Atlantis, the thematic connection to water is striking. Atlantis’s name, derived from Greek, aligns with its mythic characterization as a maritime civilization. The similarity to “Al-Atlal” adds another layer, pointing to a universal cultural fascination with water’s creative and destructive powers and its relationship to human civilizations.