Table of Contents
The firstborn son of Poseidon and the central ruler of Atlantis. His name, associated with strength and endurance, symbolizes the lasting impact of his legacy.
Plato’s Account of Atlas in “Critias” and “Timaeus”
Role and Heritage:
- First King of Atlantis: Atlas is the firstborn son of Poseidon and Cleito. According to Plato in “Critias,” Atlas is given the central and most significant portion of Atlantis to rule.
- Naming: Both the island and the surrounding ocean (the Atlantic Ocean) are named after Atlas, signifying his importance.
- Inheritance: Atlas inherits the central island, which includes the capital city of Atlantis. This central position emphasizes his primary role among Poseidon’s ten sons.
Attributes and Significance:
- Symbol of Authority: Atlas represents the legitimate and primary rule over Atlantis. His name symbolizes strength and endurance, traits befitting the ruler of such a significant and powerful island.
- Division of Power: Poseidon divides Atlantis into ten portions, each ruled by one of his sons, with Atlas being the principal king among them. This division ensures a structured and organized governance.
Ignatius Donnelly’s “Atlantis: The Antediluvian World”
Role and Heritage:
- Firstborn of Poseidon: Donnelly emphasizes Atlas’s position as the firstborn son of Poseidon and Cleito, inheriting the central and most crucial portion of Atlantis.
- Naming and Influence: Donnelly reiterates that the Atlantic Ocean is named after Atlas. He extends the significance of Atlas’s name to symbolize the spread of Atlantean culture and influence.
- Legacy: Donnelly suggests that Atlas’s lineage and the civilization he governed had a profound influence on other ancient civilizations, linking the myth of Atlas to broader historical narratives.
Attributes and Significance:
- Symbol of Civilization: Atlas represents the peak of Atlantean civilization. Donnelly portrays him as a figure whose governance and influence extended beyond Atlantis, contributing to the development of other cultures.
- Cultural Hero: Donnelly adds to Atlas’s character by depicting him as a cultural hero whose legacy persisted through myths and legends in various cultures around the world.
Bridgman-Metchum’s “1903 Bridgman-Metchum Atlantis”
Role and Heritage:
- Eldest Son of Poseidon: Bridgman-Metchum follows Plato’s narrative closely, describing Atlas as the eldest son of Poseidon and Cleito, and the primary ruler of the central part of Atlantis.
- Naming and Legacy: Similar to Plato and Donnelly, Bridgman-Metchum notes that both the island and the Atlantic Ocean are named after Atlas, emphasizing his central role in Atlantean history.
- Primary Rule: Atlas’s inheritance of the central and most significant part of Atlantis is highlighted, marking his leadership and importance among Poseidon’s descendants.
Attributes and Significance:
- Central Figure: Bridgman-Metchum emphasizes Atlas’s centrality in the governance and culture of Atlantis. His rule is depicted as essential to the prosperity and organization of the island.
- Symbol of Endurance: The name Atlas, associated with strength and endurance, is used to signify the enduring legacy of Atlantean civilization.
Common Themes and Characteristics
- Role as the First King:
- Firstborn Son: All three authors agree on Atlas’s role as the firstborn son of Poseidon and Cleito. This positions him as the primary ruler of Atlantis.
- Central Rule: Atlas rules the central and most significant portion of Atlantis, underscoring his importance and authority among Poseidon’s descendants.
- Naming and Legacy:
- Atlas and the Atlantic: Across all three accounts, Atlas’s name is linked to both the island and the surrounding ocean, signifying his central role and the lasting impact of his legacy.
- Cultural Influence: Donnelly and Bridgman-Metchum expand on Plato’s account by suggesting that Atlas’s influence extended beyond Atlantis, affecting other ancient civilizations.
- Symbolic Attributes:
- Strength and Endurance: The name Atlas, associated with strength and endurance, is a common theme. This symbolizes the enduring legacy of Atlas and the civilization he governed.
- Central Figure of Authority: Atlas is depicted as a central figure whose governance ensures the stability and prosperity of Atlantis.
- Division of Power:
- Structured Governance: Plato’s division of Atlantis into ten portions, with Atlas ruling the central part, is echoed by Donnelly and Bridgman-Metchum. This division highlights a structured and organized system of governance established by Poseidon.
