Plato and the Myth of Atlantis
Plato mythologized Atlantis is an unfinished trilogy Timaios, Krtitas and Hermokrates.
In the Timaios the constant assertions made that we are talking about a real place should be taken at face value. Atlantis is mythologized in Plato's work to make his ideas clearer and more accessible.
Plato's story centers on Solon, a great Greek legislator and poet who journeyed to Egypt some 150 years earlier. While in the Egyptian city of Sais Solon received the story of Atlantis from priests. The priests respected Solon's reputation and cordially welcomed him. They also respected the Athenians, whom they regarded as kinsmen, because they believed their deity Neith to be the same deity as the Greeks called Athena. Therefore, she was believed to be the patroness and protector of both Greece and Egypt.
Solon recounts the myth of the Deukalion's flood, but gets a dismissive response from the priest and embarks on the myth of Phaethon, which the priest sees as damaged history - a mythical explanantion of how changes in the course of celestial bodies cause destruction on earth. It should be noted that no documents exists that refer to a prehistoric Athens or its destruction.
The priest goes on give a description of the pre-historic Athens, which strongly resembles Platos Ideal state as expounded in the Republic. Then the priest produces some amazing information. An island opposite the strait known as the Pillars of Herakles called Atlantis was located. The mighty rulers of this island set about enslaving the people.
Shortly after their victory, even before the Athenians could return home, Atlantis suffered catastrophic earthquakes and floods until it disappeared beneath the sea. All of the brave men were swallowed up in one day and night of horror according to legend. This is why the Egyptians were ever grateful to the Athenians.
This was estimated to have happened in 8600BCE and the Athenians as underdogs would have mirrored the recent wars against the Persians at Marathon, Salamis and Platia See Thermopylae
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