Plato was born circa 428 b.c. in Athens. His father Ariston may have descended from the early kings of Athens. His mother Perictione was distantly related to Solon.
Plato became a disciple of Socrates. He followed the basic philosphy: pursuit of truth through questuons, answers, and additional questions.
In 387 B.C. Plato founded the Academy in Athens. The Academy is usually referred to as Europes first university. Aristotle was the Academy's most distinguished student. Plato taught there until he died in 347 b.c.
During his life Plato wrote 35 dialogues and 13 letters. His dialogues are categorized into three groups. His early dialogues tried to convey the philosophy and speaking style of Socrates. His middle and latter dialogues feature his own philosophical development.
Critias and Timaeus come in here. Critias is a conversation between Hermocrates, Timaeus, Socrates and Critias. In it Critias is telling the story of the ancient Athenians and Atlanteans before they went to war. The story was passed down from Solon who got the story from the Egyptians.
Poseidon, greek god of the sea, fell in love with a mortal woman Cleito. He then built her an island or continent. The island had alternating zones of sea and land. There was two rings of land and three rings of water. He made the land fertile and bueatiful in everyway.
The couple begat five sets of half mortal, half god, twin sons. The land was then divided among the ten sons, with Atlas the eldest king of the center of the land.
Atlantis was rich in natural resources. The island was rich in orichalcum, more precios than anything, except gold. There was no shortage of wood or food. The island was abundant with wildlife, even elephants. They could have two harvests a year.
The Atlanteans built bridges, canals, magnificent temples and palaces. Atlantis grew in wealth and power. The island held control over much of Europe and Africa. The Atlanteans, retaining some of their godlike wisdom, remained humble and didn't give in to their worldly posessions. They treated gold and wealth more as a burden than a blessing.
As decades passed the Atlanteans began to give in to their human nature. Greed and immorality took presidence. Zeus saw this and called the gods together to decied upon a punishment. Atlantis was lost in one day to earthquakes and floods. Wiped clean by the wrath of the gods.
