Entity: ATLANTIS
Atlantis is a fabled island in the Atlantic Ocean that, according to legend, sank beneath the sea. It has captured the imagination of people for centuries.
ATLANTIS
Etymology
The name Atlantis is derived from the Greek Ἀτλαντὶς νῆσος, meaning 'island of Atlas'. In Greek mythology, Atlas was a Titan condemned to hold up the sky for eternity.
Definition
Atlantis is a legendary island, first mentioned by Plato, said to have existed in the Atlantic Ocean west of Gibraltar and to have sunk beneath the sea.
Historical Context
The story of Atlantis originates from Plato's dialogues 'Timaeus' and 'Critias', where he describes Atlantis as an advanced civilization that fell out of favor with the gods and was submerged in a cataclysmic event.
Cultural Significance
Atlantis has captured the imagination of people for centuries, inspiring numerous works of literature, art, and film. It symbolizes a lost paradise and the hubris of civilizations.
Related Concepts
Some modern archaeologists have linked Atlantis with the island of Thera, suggesting that it may have been the surviving remnant of a much larger island destroyed by a volcanic eruption.
See Also
A legendary island, first mentioned by Plato, said to have existed in the Atlantic Ocean west of Gibraltar and to have sunk beneath the sea.