Atlantis: Fact, Fiction or Fantasy

Course description

Ever since the story of Atlantis was first articulated in Plato’s dialogues more than 2,300 years ago, it has caused more controversy than the Shroud of Turin. There are those who believe the account is true, as the narrator insists; and there are those who think that it is false, as Aristotle, Plato’s most celebrated pupil, loudly proclaims. But others are more ambivalent, suggesting that although some of the facts in Plato’s narrative are clearly fabricated, the account might well be based on the memory of a historical event. The question is—which one? In this lecture we will embark on a journey across the Mediterranean in search of answers to this intriguing question. Manuscripts, maps and photographs will be used to illustrate the talk.