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I saw a show on the History Channel a while back which I thought presented compelling evidence that the Minoan Civilization on Crete was the basis for the lost city of Atlantis. From what I understand the civilization was rather advanced for its time and due to the proximity to Greece may have been known, at least in stories, by the Greeks. Apparently it may have been taken out by a tsunami.
Archaeologists concluded that the Minoans had not only survived but thrived after the eruption, expanding their culture until they were hit by some other, unknown disaster?perhaps some combination of fire, earthquake, or foreign invader.
That's kinda compelling evidence against it, though, isn't it? Some say it was the Mycenaens who pilllaged and levelled them.Or maybe the Minoans were the Jews (just kidding ;D)
Where did you read that? If there are accounts of a slow collapse of Minos, it would seem to suggest that historical accounts would take note of this, thereby taking the “lost” out of “lost city of Atlantis”. I suppose if records of the demise are absent, though, we are only left with Plato's account making it appear as if a great civilization existed one moment and was gone the next.
The Minoans on Crete were about 70 miles from the island of Thera (Santorini, today) that, some time in the 1600's BC, had a major volcanic eruption… flooded much of Crete from the tsunami and the resulting ash would have created a problem (both short and long term) that would have led to the decline of the Minoans.The Mycenaens were the first Greeks as the spoke a greek language unlike the Minoans. Given the weakened situation on Crete the Mycenaens (from the mainland) moved in and edged out the Minoans by the mid 1400's BC and they, too, flamed out by the 1200's BC when invaders moved down from Europe... the period of unrest and disorder that followed is sometimes refered to as the "Dark Age". [not to be confused with the Dark ages....]
This is old historical fantasizing. No the Minoans were not the Atlanteans. Plato thought that Atlantis was beyond the Pillars of Heracles (Gibralter).
This is old historical fantasizing. No the Minoans were not the Atlanteans. Plato thought that Atlantis was beyond the Pillars of Heracles (Gibralter).
I suppose this depends if you are to the east or to the west of the Strait of Gibraltar when you make such a statement. 😉 Actually if Atlantis was not a real place, but somewhat symbolic, then Minos could have been an inspiration for Atlantis instead.
This is old historical fantasizing. No the Minoans were not the Atlanteans. Plato thought that Atlantis was beyond the Pillars of Heracles (Gibralter).
True. But Plato lived around 400 B.C., about 1000 years after the Minoans and information about the Minoans had "morphed." By then the thinking was they lived on a continent, not an island. So Plato had to put them beyond the Pillars of Heracles. Or at least that's how I've heard this discrepancy explained.
If there are accounts of a slow collapse of Minos, it would seem to suggest that historical accounts would take note of this, thereby taking the "lost" out of "lost city of Atlantis". I suppose if records of the demise are absent, though, we are only left with Plato's account making it appear as if a great civilization existed one moment and was gone the next.
You also have Homer's poems to go by. Granted, as Daniel said, it's oral tradition and was probably distorted, but not everything was distorted. There is a lot of truth and accuracy in some of these heroic poems. And I have to ask, Phid, what historical accounts? Pretty much the only physical evidence we have to go on are grave treasures and pottery.
Atlantis was an idea, an ideal that the Greeks associated with a former Edenic age. Every culture harbors nostalgia for a Golden Age long since gone. I think Atlantis was the Greek epitome of what they felt civilization was supposed to be and actually was followed to a certain degree by Athens.
And I have to ask, Phid, what historical accounts? Pretty much the only physical evidence we have to go on are grave treasures and pottery.
I think I was saying that the lack of historical accounts mentioning its demise suggest the demise happened suddenly. Otherwise, we would likely have records of Atlantis petering out economically.
Atlantis was an idea, an ideal that the Greeks associated with a former Edenic age. Every culture harbors nostalgia for a Golden Age long since gone. I think Atlantis was the Greek epitome of what they felt civilization was supposed to be and actually was followed to a certain degree by Athens.
Interesting take....
This is old historical fantasizing. No the Minoans were not the Atlanteans. Plato thought that Atlantis was beyond the Pillars of Heracles (Gibralter).
Whoa! What if new evidence fits with the beyond-Gibralter theory?(check it out)http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2255989.ece
This is old historical fantasizing. No the Minoans were not the Atlanteans. Plato thought that Atlantis was beyond the Pillars of Heracles (Gibralter).
Whoa! What if new evidence fits with the beyond-Gibralter theory?(check it out)http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2255989.ece
Looks like old Plato and I were correct....well if this is verified anyway. Pretty neat.
