The dialogue Critias by Plato is primarily focused on the story of Atlantis. The entire dialogue is intended to recount the history, structure, and eventual downfall of this legendary island. However, the specific sections that deal directly with Atlantis are as follows:
Critias 108d – 121c
- Critias 108d – 109a: This section introduces Atlantis as part of a broader narrative related to the ancient Athenian state. Critias mentions that he will recount a story told by his grandfather, who heard it from Solon, the famous Athenian statesman.
- Critias 109b – 112e: Here, Critias begins describing the origins of Atlantis, its geography, and the divine nature of its inhabitants. He explains that the island was larger than Libya and Asia combined and was located beyond the Pillars of Heracles (modern-day Strait of Gibraltar).
- Critias 113a – 121c: This portion of the dialogue elaborates on the details of Atlantis, including its government, society, military power, and its impressive wealth and resources. Critias also discusses the layout of Atlantis, describing its concentric rings of water and land, and the grand temple of Poseidon at its center.
Below is the original Greek text from Critias 108d-109a, along with a literal English translation.
Critias 108d-109a
Critias: Listen, Socrates, to a very ancient story, as it is said, from men who were great and wise, demonstrating the greatest virtue and political order. When what you now said concerning the citizens in your discourse, that whatever they do concerning the city, this they shall bring from home, each ruling over others as they govern, this was the same according to the laws of that time and the political order of those times, which established the people, not just a short time ago, as the story goes, but from many years ago, even thousands, becoming great and wondrous. For it is said that this Greece of ours was then located both in this place and throughout the whole region, and in this city itself, its ancient political order is laid down in these words as preserving the memory of the old polity and city.
Critias 109b – 112e
109b-109c
Critias mentions that Solon, after visiting Egypt, heard from priests about an ancient conflict between Athens and Atlantis. The priests described how Athens once had the greatest concern for wisdom and the best political constitution, carefully preserving the memory of this ancient past.
109d-109e
The priests told Solon that during that time, the land of Greece had a superior position and was settled by people who gathered there due to the abundance of resources and the benefits to mankind. The political systems at that time were divided among different classes: some focused on sacred rites and the arts, others on military affairs, and still others on agriculture. Athens was under the protection of Athena, while Atlantis was under the domain of Poseidon.
110a-110b
Each section of society was assigned roles according to the laws established by the gods. The gods themselves were the rulers, and they divided the land among themselves, assigning different responsibilities to different classes. They appointed leaders who were wise and virtuous, responsible for teaching and legislating.
110c-110d
Athens, at that time, was governed by the goddess Athena, much like in the present day. Meanwhile, Atlantis was under the rule of Poseidon. The men of Athens were considered the best, and their god (Athena) was appointed as the leader of all, due to their exceptional military virtue. The men of Atlantis, who were now ruled by Poseidon, were among these people.
110e-111a
Each of these groups—whether sacred, military, or agricultural—was governed according to the laws and customs of the time. Each polity had its own designated tasks within its homeland, based on the roles assigned by the gods.
111a-111b
Poseidon then divided the territory of Atlantis among his sons. To his firstborn son, Atlas, he gave the largest and best portion, and Atlas was made king over the entire island, which was named after him.
111c-111d
The land of Atlantis was fertile and produced an abundance of resources. The island was rich in minerals, including orichalcum, a precious metal second only to gold. The island had an extensive network of harbors and docks that could accommodate a vast fleet of ships.
111e-112a
The Atlanteans constructed magnificent temples, palaces, and other buildings. The most important temple was dedicated to Poseidon and Cleito, and it was surrounded by a golden enclosure. The temple was richly decorated with precious metals, and its interior featured a colossal statue of Poseidon driving six winged horses.
112b-112c
The Atlanteans also built impressive infrastructure, including bridges, canals, and walls, all made of stone and adorned with various metals. They created a complex system of irrigation to support their agriculture and developed a powerful navy that allowed them to control the surrounding seas.
112d-112e
The society of Atlantis was highly organized, with a strict division of labor and a hierarchy of classes. The Atlanteans were wealthy and powerful, but over time, they became corrupt and morally degenerate, which eventually led to their downfall.
Critias 113a-121c
113a-113b
The Atlantean kings were descended from Poseidon and Cleito, who had five pairs of twin sons. Poseidon divided the island of Atlantis into ten parts, giving each of his sons a portion to rule. The eldest, Atlas, was made king over the entire island, and the others ruled their respective regions. These kings governed according to the laws set down by Poseidon, and they remained faithful to their divine heritage for many generations.
113c-113d
The capital city of Atlantis was an impressive metropolis with a unique layout. It was built around a central island, surrounded by concentric rings of water and land. The rings were connected by bridges, and a canal extended from the central island to the sea, allowing ships to access the city. The city was a marvel of engineering and architecture, with palaces, temples, and docks all constructed using the finest materials.
113e-114b
The Atlanteans were masters of architecture and engineering. They built walls around the central city, with each wall made of a different type of stone: white, black, and red. These walls were covered with precious metals, with the outermost wall covered in bronze, the middle in tin, and the innermost in orichalcum, which glowed with a fiery luster. The city was full of magnificent buildings, with the most important being the temple of Poseidon. This temple was richly decorated with gold and silver, and it housed a colossal statue of Poseidon driving six winged horses.
114c-114e
In the surrounding areas, the Atlanteans built a network of canals, roads, and bridges, making the entire island accessible and well-connected. They dug a canal 92 meters (301.84 feet) wide and 30 meters (98.43 feet) deep, extending 9 kilometers (5.59 miles) from the sea to the outermost ring. The Atlanteans used these waterways for transportation, and their harbors were filled with ships from all over the world. The island was rich in resources, producing an abundance of food, precious metals, and other goods.
115a-115d
The Atlanteans enjoyed a high standard of living, with luxurious homes, beautiful gardens, and public baths. They were known for their fine clothing, made from local materials, and their diet was rich in fruits, vegetables, and seafood. The kings of Atlantis would meet regularly in the temple of Poseidon to discuss matters of state and to renew their oaths of loyalty to each other. They would sacrifice bulls to Poseidon, and their rituals were conducted with great solemnity.
115e-116c
The kings ruled their territories justly, according to the laws set down by Poseidon. These laws emphasized fairness, moderation, and respect for the gods. For many generations, the kings of Atlantis maintained harmony among themselves and with their subjects. However, as time passed, the divine nature of the Atlanteans began to fade, and they became increasingly corrupt.
116d-117a
As the Atlanteans grew more powerful, their ambitions expanded, and they began to conquer other lands. They established an empire that extended beyond their island, controlling parts of Libya, Egypt, and Europe. The Atlanteans became proud and greedy, seeking to dominate the entire world. Their moral decline led them to disregard the laws of the gods, and they became unjust and oppressive rulers.
117b-117d
The gods observed the growing corruption of the Atlanteans and decided to punish them. Zeus, the king of the gods, called a council of the gods to discuss the fate of Atlantis. He intended to chastise the Atlanteans for their arrogance and immorality, restoring balance to the world. The dialogue ends abruptly here, leaving the details of the gods’ decision and the ultimate destruction of Atlantis untold.
118a-121c
This section primarily details the riches, infrastructure, and military power of Atlantis. The wealth of the Atlanteans was immense, with vast quantities of gold, silver, orichalcum, and other precious resources at their disposal. They built extensive and elaborate infrastructure, including harbors, walls, and temples. The Atlanteans had a powerful navy and a formidable army, allowing them to project their power far beyond their island.
However, despite their wealth and power, the Atlanteans succumbed to moral decay. They became increasingly ambitious and tyrannical, seeking to expand their empire and impose their rule over other nations. This moral decline angered the gods, who decided to punish Atlantis for its hubris. The dialogue cuts off at this point, leaving the fate of Atlantis to be inferred from other sources.
This translation covers the main points of the passage, including the description of Atlantis’s society, its infrastructure, and its eventual decline due to moral corruption.
