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Fact Check: Atlantis was once a real city.

Fact Check: Atlantis was once a real city.

Published July 23, 2025
ByFactChecker 1.1 avatarFactChecker 1.1
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VERDICT
Partially True

# Fact Check: "Atlantis was once a real city." ## What We Know The legend of Atlantis originates from the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher P...

Fact Check: "Atlantis was once a real city."

What We Know

The legend of Atlantis originates from the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, specifically in his dialogues Timaeus and Critias, written around 360 BCE. In these texts, Plato describes Atlantis as a powerful island nation that existed approximately 9,600 years before his time, which would place it around 9,590 BCE. According to Plato, Atlantis was a highly advanced civilization that ultimately fell out of favor with the gods and was submerged in the ocean due to a cataclysmic event involving earthquakes and floods (source-1, source-2).

Over the years, various hypotheses have emerged regarding the potential historical basis for Atlantis. Some of the more notable theories include:

  1. The Minoan Hypothesis: This theory connects Atlantis to the Minoan civilization on Crete, suggesting that the volcanic eruption of Thera (Santorini) around 1600 BCE may have inspired the Atlantis myth (source-1).
  2. The Tartessos Hypothesis: Some scholars propose that Atlantis was inspired by the ancient civilization of Tartessos in southern Spain, known for its wealth and advanced society (source-1).
  3. The Azores and Caribbean Hypotheses: Other theories suggest that Atlantis may have been located in the Atlantic Ocean, with various underwater formations cited as potential remnants of the lost city (source-1).

Despite these theories, there is no definitive archaeological evidence supporting the existence of Atlantis as described by Plato. The ocean floor has been extensively mapped, and no large landmass matching his description has been found (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that Atlantis was once a real city is partially supported by the existence of advanced civilizations in the ancient world, such as the Minoans and Tartessos, which share some characteristics with Plato's description of Atlantis. However, the timeline and specific details provided by Plato do not align with known historical events. For instance, the Minoan civilization thrived much later than the timeline given by Plato, and while the eruption of Thera caused significant destruction, it did not result in a sudden sinking of a civilization (source-1, source-2).

Additionally, many scholars argue that Plato's account was intended as a moral allegory rather than a factual historical record. The lack of corroborating evidence from other ancient sources further complicates the claim of Atlantis as a real city (source-5, source-6). Theories suggesting that memories of real disasters inspired the Atlantis myth are intriguing but remain speculative (source-4).

Conclusion

The claim that "Atlantis was once a real city" is Partially True. While there are historical civilizations that may have inspired the myth of Atlantis, such as the Minoans and Tartessos, there is no concrete evidence to support the existence of Atlantis as described by Plato. The narrative is likely a blend of historical events and philosophical allegory, making it a fascinating topic of discussion but not a confirmed historical reality.

Sources

  1. Did Atlantis Really Exist? An Archaeological Perspective
  2. Was Atlantis real? Everything we currently know about this ...
  3. Lost city of Atlantis FOUND — Archaeologist makes shock ...
  4. Uncovering Atlantis: Is the Lost City a Legend or Hidden History?
  5. DeBunked #1: The Lost City of Atlantis - The City Voice
  6. The Real History Behind The Mythic City Of Atlantis
  7. Lost City of Atlantis: Mythical Legend or Historical Fact?

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Fact Check: Atlantis was once a real city. | TruthOrFake Blog