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Timaeus and Critias,
two of Plato's dialogues, are the only
existing written records which specifically refer to Atlantis. The dialogues
are conversations between Socrates, Hermocrates, Timeaus, and Critias.
Apparently in response to a prior talk by Socrates about ideal societies,
Timeaus and Critias agree to entertain Socrates with a tale that is "not
a fiction but a true story."
The story is about the conflict between the ancient Athenians and the
Atlantians 9000 years before Plato's time. Knowledge of the distant past
apparently forgotten to the Athenians of Plato's day, the story of Atlantis
was conveyed to Solon by Egyptian priests. Solon passed the tale to Dropides,
the great-grandfather of Critias. Critias learned of it from his grandfather
also named Critias, son of Dropides.
The dialogues that follow were written by Plato some time around 360 BC and
are English translations by Benjamin Jowett:
Serves only as a brief introduction to Atlantis, a preface. The majority
of the writing actually deals with a description of the creation of the
world and explanation of natural phenomena.
Provides a detailed description of the lost island and its people as well
as information about the ancient Athenians.
Cast of Characters
All of the men, except for Timaeus, who take part in or are mentioned in
Timaeus and Critias are known to have actually existed in ancient Greece.
Records of their lives and deeds have been recorded in other writings from the
time period.
Note: There are 2 people named Critias related to the story of
Atlantis and this can lead to some confusion. There is the Critias who
actually takes part in the dialogues. He is the one who tells the story of
Atlantis to Socrates. Then there is Critias who was the grandfather of the
Critias of the dialogues. This elder Critias told the story of Atlantis to his
grandson, Critias, who then conveyed the story to Socrates in the dialogues.
Those who actually take part in the dialogues:
 | Timaeus — there is no historical record of him.
| Critias — Plato's great grandfather.
| Socrates — Plato's mentor and teacher. He was condemned to
death by authorities in Athens for "corrupting the moral of
Athenian youth"; He lived from 469 to 399 BC.
| Hermocrates — statesman and soldier from Syracuse. |
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Those mentioned in the dialogues:
| Solon — Athenian traveler, poet, and lawgiver who lived
from approximately 638-559 BC. According to Plato it was he who
learned of the story of Atlantis from an Egyptian priest.
| Dropides — Critias' great grandfather who was told the
story of Atlantis by Solon, a distant relative and close friend.
| Critias — Son of Dropides and grandfather of the Critias
who takes part in the dialogues. It was he who related the story of
Atlantis to the Critias of the dialogues. |
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