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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/1571-h.zip b/1571-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..98452df --- /dev/null +++ b/1571-h.zip diff --git a/1571-h/1571-h.htm b/1571-h/1571-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..20ad217 --- /dev/null +++ b/1571-h/1571-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1364 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Critias, by Plato + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Critias, by Plato + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Critias + +Author: Plato + +Translator: Benjamin Jowett + +Release Date: August 15, 2008 [EBook #1571] +Last Updated: January 15, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CRITIAS *** + + + + +Produced by Sue Asscher, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + CRITIAS + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Plato + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translated by Benjamin Jowett + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> INTRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> CRITIAS. </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS. + </h2> + <p> + The Critias is a fragment which breaks off in the middle of a sentence. It + was designed to be the second part of a trilogy, which, like the other + great Platonic trilogy of the Sophist, Statesman, Philosopher, was never + completed. Timaeus had brought down the origin of the world to the + creation of man, and the dawn of history was now to succeed the philosophy + of nature. The Critias is also connected with the Republic. Plato, as he + has already told us (Tim.), intended to represent the ideal state engaged + in a patriotic conflict. This mythical conflict is prophetic or symbolical + of the struggle of Athens and Persia, perhaps in some degree also of the + wars of the Greeks and Carthaginians, in the same way that the Persian is + prefigured by the Trojan war to the mind of Herodotus, or as the narrative + of the first part of the Aeneid is intended by Virgil to foreshadow the + wars of Carthage and Rome. The small number of the primitive Athenian + citizens (20,000), 'which is about their present number' (Crit.), is + evidently designed to contrast with the myriads and barbaric array of the + Atlantic hosts. The passing remark in the Timaeus that Athens was left + alone in the struggle, in which she conquered and became the liberator of + Greece, is also an allusion to the later history. Hence we may safely + conclude that the entire narrative is due to the imagination of Plato, who + has used the name of Solon and introduced the Egyptian priests to give + verisimilitude to his story. To the Greek such a tale, like that of the + earth-born men, would have seemed perfectly accordant with the character + of his mythology, and not more marvellous than the wonders of the East + narrated by Herodotus and others: he might have been deceived into + believing it. But it appears strange that later ages should have been + imposed upon by the fiction. As many attempts have been made to find the + great island of Atlantis, as to discover the country of the lost tribes. + Without regard to the description of Plato, and without a suspicion that + the whole narrative is a fabrication, interpreters have looked for the + spot in every part of the globe, America, Arabia Felix, Ceylon, Palestine, + Sardinia, Sweden. + </p> + <p> + Timaeus concludes with a prayer that his words may be acceptable to the + God whom he has revealed, and Critias, whose turn follows, begs that a + larger measure of indulgence may be conceded to him, because he has to + speak of men whom we know and not of gods whom we do not know. Socrates + readily grants his request, and anticipating that Hermocrates will make a + similar petition, extends by anticipation a like indulgence to him. + </p> + <p> + Critias returns to his story, professing only to repeat what Solon was + told by the priests. The war of which he was about to speak had occurred + 9000 years ago. One of the combatants was the city of Athens, the other + was the great island of Atlantis. Critias proposes to speak of these rival + powers first of all, giving to Athens the precedence; the various tribes + of Greeks and barbarians who took part in the war will be dealt with as + they successively appear on the scene. + </p> + <p> + In the beginning the gods agreed to divide the earth by lot in a friendly + manner, and when they had made the allotment they settled their several + countries, and were the shepherds or rather the pilots of mankind, whom + they guided by persuasion, and not by force. Hephaestus and Athena, + brother and sister deities, in mind and art united, obtained as their lot + the land of Attica, a land suited to the growth of virtue and wisdom; and + there they settled a brave race of children of the soil, and taught them + how to order the state. Some of their names, such as Cecrops, Erechtheus, + Erichthonius, and Erysichthon, were preserved and adopted in later times, + but the memory of their deeds has passed away; for there have since been + many deluges, and the remnant who survived in the mountains were ignorant + of the art of writing, and during many generations were wholly devoted to + acquiring the means of life...And the armed image of the goddess which was + dedicated by the ancient Athenians is an evidence to other ages that men + and women had in those days, as they ought always to have, common virtues + and pursuits. There were various classes of citizens, including + handicraftsmen and husbandmen and a superior class of warriors who dwelt + apart, and were educated, and had all things in common, like our + guardians. Attica in those days extended southwards to the Isthmus, and + inland to the heights of Parnes and Cithaeron, and between them and the + sea included the district of Oropus. The country was then, as what remains + of it still is, the most fertile in the world, and abounded in rich plains + and pastures. But in the course of ages much of the soil was washed away + and disappeared in the deep sea. And the inhabitants of this fair land + were endowed with intelligence and the love of beauty. + </p> + <p> + The Acropolis of the ancient Athens extended to the Ilissus and Eridanus, + and included the Pnyx, and the Lycabettus on the opposite side to the + Pnyx, having a level surface and deep soil. The side of the hill was + inhabited by craftsmen and husbandmen; and the warriors dwelt by + themselves on the summit, around the temples of Hephaestus and Athene, in + an enclosure which was like the garden of a single house. In winter they + retired into houses on the north of the hill, in which they held their + syssitia. These were modest dwellings, which they bequeathed unaltered to + their children's children. In summer time the south side was inhabited by + them, and then they left their gardens and dining-halls. In the midst of + the Acropolis was a fountain, which gave an abundant supply of cool water + in summer and warm in winter; of this there are still some traces. They + were careful to preserve the number of fighting men and women at 20,000, + which is equal to that of the present military force. And so they passed + their lives as guardians of the citizens and leaders of the Hellenes. They + were a just and famous race, celebrated for their beauty and virtue all + over Europe and Asia. + </p> + <p> + And now I will speak to you of their adversaries, but first I ought to + explain that the Greek names were given to Solon in an Egyptian form, and + he enquired their meaning and translated them. His manuscript was left + with my grandfather Dropides, and is now in my possession...In the + division of the earth Poseidon obtained as his portion the island of + Atlantis, and there he begat children whose mother was a mortal. Towards + the sea and in the centre of the island there was a very fair and fertile + plain, and near the centre, about fifty stadia from the plain, there was a + low mountain in which dwelt a man named Evenor and his wife Leucippe, and + their daughter Cleito, of whom Poseidon became enamoured. He to secure his + love enclosed the mountain with rings or zones varying in size, two of + land and three of sea, which his divine power readily enabled him to + excavate and fashion, and, as there was no shipping in those days, no man + could get into the place. To the interior island he conveyed under the + earth springs of water hot and cold, and supplied the land with all things + needed for the life of man. Here he begat a family consisting of five + pairs of twin male children. The eldest was Atlas, and him he made king of + the centre island, while to his twin brother, Eumelus, or Gadeirus, he + assigned that part of the country which was nearest the Straits. The other + brothers he made chiefs over the rest of the island. And their kingdom + extended as far as Egypt and Tyrrhenia. Now Atlas had a fair posterity, + and great treasures derived from mines—among them that precious + metal orichalcum; and there was abundance of wood, and herds of elephants, + and pastures for animals of all kinds, and fragrant herbs, and grasses, + and trees bearing fruit. These they used, and employed themselves in + constructing their temples, and palaces, and harbours, and docks, in the + following manner:—First, they bridged over the zones of sea, and + made a way to and from the royal palace which they built in the centre + island. This ancient palace was ornamented by successive generations; and + they dug a canal which passed through the zones of land from the island to + the sea. The zones of earth were surrounded by walls made of stone of + divers colours, black and white and red, which they sometimes intermingled + for the sake of ornament; and as they quarried they hollowed out beneath + the edges of the zones double docks having roofs of rock. The outermost of + the walls was coated with brass, the second with tin, and the third, which + was the wall of the citadel, flashed with the red light of orichalcum. In + the interior of the citadel was a holy temple, dedicated to Cleito and + Poseidon, and surrounded by an enclosure of gold, and there was Poseidon's + own temple, which was covered with silver, and the pinnacles with gold. + The roof was of ivory, adorned with gold and silver and orichalcum, and + the rest of the interior was lined with orichalcum. Within was an image of + the god standing in a chariot drawn by six winged horses, and touching the + roof with his head; around him were a hundred Nereids, riding on dolphins. + Outside the temple were placed golden statues of all the descendants of + the ten kings and of their wives; there was an altar too, and there were + palaces, corresponding to the greatness and glory both of the kingdom and + of the temple. + </p> + <p> + Also there were fountains of hot and cold water, and suitable buildings + surrounding them, and trees, and there were baths both of the kings and of + private individuals, and separate baths for women, and also for cattle. + The water from the baths was carried to the grove of Poseidon, and by + aqueducts over the bridges to the outer circles. And there were temples in + the zones, and in the larger of the two there was a racecourse for horses, + which ran all round the island. The guards were distributed in the zones + according to the trust reposed in them; the most trusted of them were + stationed in the citadel. The docks were full of triremes and stores. The + land between the harbour and the sea was surrounded by a wall, and was + crowded with dwellings, and the harbour and canal resounded with the din + of human voices. + </p> + <p> + The plain around the city was highly cultivated and sheltered from the + north by mountains; it was oblong, and where falling out of the straight + line followed the circular ditch, which was of an incredible depth. This + depth received the streams which came down from the mountains, as well as + the canals of the interior, and found a way to the sea. The entire country + was divided into sixty thousand lots, each of which was a square of ten + stadia; and the owner of a lot was bound to furnish the sixth part of a + war-chariot, so as to make up ten thousand chariots, two horses and riders + upon them, a pair of chariot-horses without a seat, and an attendant and + charioteer, two hoplites, two archers, two slingers, three stone-shooters, + three javelin-men, and four sailors to make up the complement of twelve + hundred ships. + </p> + <p> + Each of the ten kings was absolute in his own city and kingdom. The + relations of the different governments to one another were determined by + the injunctions of Poseidon, which had been inscribed by the first kings + on a column of orichalcum in the temple of Poseidon, at which the kings + and princes gathered together and held a festival every fifth and every + sixth year alternately. Around the temple ranged the bulls of Poseidon, + one of which the ten kings caught and sacrificed, shedding the blood of + the victim over the inscription, and vowing not to transgress the laws of + their father Poseidon. When night came, they put on azure robes and gave + judgment against offenders. The most important of their laws related to + their dealings with one another. They were not to take up arms against one + another, and were to come to the rescue if any of their brethren were + attacked. They were to deliberate in common about war, and the king was + not to have the power of life and death over his kinsmen, unless he had + the assent of the majority. + </p> + <p> + For many generations, as tradition tells, the people of Atlantis were + obedient to the laws and to the gods, and practised gentleness and wisdom + in their intercourse with one another. They knew that they could only have + the true use of riches by not caring about them. But gradually the divine + portion of their souls became diluted with too much of the mortal + admixture, and they began to degenerate, though to the outward eye they + appeared glorious as ever at the very time when they were filled with all + iniquity. The all-seeing Zeus, wanting to punish them, held a council of + the gods, and when he had called them together, he spoke as follows:— + </p> + <p> + No one knew better than Plato how to invent 'a noble lie.' Observe (1) the + innocent declaration of Socrates, that the truth of the story is a great + advantage: (2) the manner in which traditional names and indications of + geography are intermingled ('Why, here be truths!'): (3) the extreme + minuteness with which the numbers are given, as in the Old Epic poetry: + (4) the ingenious reason assigned for the Greek names occurring in the + Egyptian tale: (5) the remark that the armed statue of Athena indicated + the common warrior life of men and women: (6) the particularity with which + the third deluge before that of Deucalion is affirmed to have been the + great destruction: (7) the happy guess that great geological changes have + been effected by water: (8) the indulgence of the prejudice against + sailing beyond the Columns, and the popular belief of the shallowness of + the ocean in that part: (9) the confession that the depth of the ditch in + the Island of Atlantis was not to be believed, and 'yet he could only + repeat what he had heard', compared with the statement made in an earlier + passage that Poseidon, being a God, found no difficulty in contriving the + water-supply of the centre island: (10) the mention of the old rivalry of + Poseidon and Athene, and the creation of the first inhabitants out of the + soil. Plato here, as elsewhere, ingeniously gives the impression that he + is telling the truth which mythology had corrupted. + </p> + <p> + The world, like a child, has readily, and for the most part + unhesitatingly, accepted the tale of the Island of Atlantis. In modern + times we hardly seek for traces of the submerged continent; but even Mr. + Grote is inclined to believe in the Egyptian poem of Solon of which there + is no evidence in antiquity; while others, like Martin, discuss the + Egyptian origin of the legend, or like M. de Humboldt, whom he quotes, are + disposed to find in it a vestige of a widely-spread tradition. Others, + adopting a different vein of reflection, regard the Island of Atlantis as + the anticipation of a still greater island—the Continent of America. + 'The tale,' says M. Martin, 'rests upon the authority of the Egyptian + priests; and the Egyptian priests took a pleasure in deceiving the + Greeks.' He never appears to suspect that there is a greater deceiver or + magician than the Egyptian priests, that is to say, Plato himself, from + the dominion of whose genius the critic and natural philosopher of modern + times are not wholly emancipated. Although worthless in respect of any + result which can be attained by them, discussions like those of M. Martin + (Timee) have an interest of their own, and may be compared to the similar + discussions regarding the Lost Tribes (2 Esdras), as showing how the + chance word of some poet or philosopher has given birth to endless + religious or historical enquiries. (See Introduction to the Timaeus.) + </p> + <p> + In contrasting the small Greek city numbering about twenty thousand + inhabitants with the barbaric greatness of the island of Atlantis, Plato + probably intended to show that a state, such as the ideal Athens, was + invincible, though matched against any number of opponents (cp. Rep.). + Even in a great empire there might be a degree of virtue and justice, such + as the Greeks believed to have existed under the sway of the first Persian + kings. But all such empires were liable to degenerate, and soon incurred + the anger of the gods. Their Oriental wealth, and splendour of gold and + silver, and variety of colours, seemed also to be at variance with the + simplicity of Greek notions. In the island of Atlantis, Plato is + describing a sort of Babylonian or Egyptian city, to which he opposes the + frugal life of the true Hellenic citizen. It is remarkable that in his + brief sketch of them, he idealizes the husbandmen 'who are lovers of + honour and true husbandmen,' as well as the warriors who are his sole + concern in the Republic; and that though he speaks of the common pursuits + of men and women, he says nothing of the community of wives and children. + </p> + <p> + It is singular that Plato should have prefixed the most detested of + Athenian names to this dialogue, and even more singular that he should + have put into the mouth of Socrates a panegyric on him (Tim.). Yet we know + that his character was accounted infamous by Xenophon, and that the mere + acquaintance with him was made a subject of accusation against Socrates. + We can only infer that in this, and perhaps in some other cases, Plato's + characters have no reference to the actual facts. The desire to do honour + to his own family, and the connection with Solon, may have suggested the + introduction of his name. Why the Critias was never completed, whether + from accident, or from advancing age, or from a sense of the artistic + difficulty of the design, cannot be determined. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + CRITIAS. + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE: Critias, Hermocrates, Timaeus, Socrates. + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + TIMAEUS: How thankful I am, Socrates, that I have arrived at last, and, + like a weary traveller after a long journey, may be at rest! And I pray + the being who always was of old, and has now been by me revealed, to grant + that my words may endure in so far as they have been spoken truly and + acceptably to him; but if unintentionally I have said anything wrong, I + pray that he will impose upon me a just retribution, and the just + retribution of him who errs is that he should be set right. Wishing, then, + to speak truly in future concerning the generation of the gods, I pray him + to give me knowledge, which of all medicines is the most perfect and best. + And now having offered my prayer I deliver up the argument to Critias, who + is to speak next according to our agreement. (Tim.) + </p> + <p> + CRITIAS: And I, Timaeus, accept the trust, and as you at first said that + you were going to speak of high matters, and begged that some forbearance + might be shown to you, I too ask the same or greater forbearance for what + I am about to say. And although I very well know that my request may + appear to be somewhat ambitious and discourteous, I must make it + nevertheless. For will any man of sense deny that you have spoken well? I + can only attempt to show that I ought to have more indulgence than you, + because my theme is more difficult; and I shall argue that to seem to + speak well of the gods to men is far easier than to speak well of men to + men: for the inexperience and utter ignorance of his hearers about any + subject is a great assistance to him who has to speak of it, and we know + how ignorant we are concerning the gods. But I should like to make my + meaning clearer, if you will follow me. All that is said by any of us can + only be imitation and representation. For if we consider the likenesses + which painters make of bodies divine and heavenly, and the different + degrees of gratification with which the eye of the spectator receives + them, we shall see that we are satisfied with the artist who is able in + any degree to imitate the earth and its mountains, and the rivers, and the + woods, and the universe, and the things that are and move therein, and + further, that knowing nothing precise about such matters, we do not + examine or analyze the painting; all that is required is a sort of + indistinct and deceptive mode of shadowing them forth. But when a person + endeavours to paint the human form we are quick at finding out defects, + and our familiar knowledge makes us severe judges of any one who does not + render every point of similarity. And we may observe the same thing to + happen in discourse; we are satisfied with a picture of divine and + heavenly things which has very little likeness to them; but we are more + precise in our criticism of mortal and human things. Wherefore if at the + moment of speaking I cannot suitably express my meaning, you must excuse + me, considering that to form approved likenesses of human things is the + reverse of easy. This is what I want to suggest to you, and at the same + time to beg, Socrates, that I may have not less, but more indulgence + conceded to me in what I am about to say. Which favour, if I am right in + asking, I hope that you will be ready to grant. + </p> + <p> + SOCRATES: Certainly, Critias, we will grant your request, and we will + grant the same by anticipation to Hermocrates, as well as to you and + Timaeus; for I have no doubt that when his turn comes a little while + hence, he will make the same request which you have made. In order, then, + that he may provide himself with a fresh beginning, and not be compelled + to say the same things over again, let him understand that the indulgence + is already extended by anticipation to him. And now, friend Critias, I + will announce to you the judgment of the theatre. They are of opinion that + the last performer was wonderfully successful, and that you will need a + great deal of indulgence before you will be able to take his place. + </p> + <p> + HERMOCRATES: The warning, Socrates, which you have addressed to him, I + must also take to myself. But remember, Critias, that faint heart never + yet raised a trophy; and therefore you must go and attack the argument + like a man. First invoke Apollo and the Muses, and then let us hear you + sound the praises and show forth the virtues of your ancient citizens. + </p> + <p> + CRITIAS: Friend Hermocrates, you, who are stationed last and have another + in front of you, have not lost heart as yet; the gravity of the situation + will soon be revealed to you; meanwhile I accept your exhortations and + encouragements. But besides the gods and goddesses whom you have + mentioned, I would specially invoke Mnemosyne; for all the important part + of my discourse is dependent on her favour, and if I can recollect and + recite enough of what was said by the priests and brought hither by Solon, + I doubt not that I shall satisfy the requirements of this theatre. And + now, making no more excuses, I will proceed. + </p> + <p> + Let me begin by observing first of all, that nine thousand was the sum of + years which had elapsed since the war which was said to have taken place + between those who dwelt outside the pillars of Heracles and all who dwelt + within them; this war I am going to describe. Of the combatants on the one + side, the city of Athens was reported to have been the leader and to have + fought out the war; the combatants on the other side were commanded by the + kings of Atlantis, which, as I was saying, was an island greater in extent + than Libya and Asia, and when afterwards sunk by an earthquake, became an + impassable barrier of mud to voyagers sailing from hence to any part of + the ocean. The progress of the history will unfold the various nations of + barbarians and families of Hellenes which then existed, as they + successively appear on the scene; but I must describe first of all the + Athenians of that day, and their enemies who fought with them, and then + the respective powers and governments of the two kingdoms. Let us give the + precedence to Athens. + </p> + <p> + In the days of old, the gods had the whole earth distributed among them by + allotment (Cp. Polit.) There was no quarrelling; for you cannot rightly + suppose that the gods did not know what was proper for each of them to + have, or, knowing this, that they would seek to procure for themselves by + contention that which more properly belonged to others. They all of them + by just apportionment obtained what they wanted, and peopled their own + districts; and when they had peopled them they tended us, their nurselings + and possessions, as shepherds tend their flocks, excepting only that they + did not use blows or bodily force, as shepherds do, but governed us like + pilots from the stern of the vessel, which is an easy way of guiding + animals, holding our souls by the rudder of persuasion according to their + own pleasure;—thus did they guide all mortal creatures. Now + different gods had their allotments in different places which they set in + order. Hephaestus and Athene, who were brother and sister, and sprang from + the same father, having a common nature, and being united also in the love + of philosophy and art, both obtained as their common portion this land, + which was naturally adapted for wisdom and virtue; and there they + implanted brave children of the soil, and put into their minds the order + of government; their names are preserved, but their actions have + disappeared by reason of the destruction of those who received the + tradition, and the lapse of ages. For when there were any survivors, as I + have already said, they were men who dwelt in the mountains; and they were + ignorant of the art of writing, and had heard only the names of the chiefs + of the land, but very little about their actions. The names they were + willing enough to give to their children; but the virtues and the laws of + their predecessors, they knew only by obscure traditions; and as they + themselves and their children lacked for many generations the necessaries + of life, they directed their attention to the supply of their wants, and + of them they conversed, to the neglect of events that had happened in + times long past; for mythology and the enquiry into antiquity are first + introduced into cities when they begin to have leisure (Cp. Arist. + Metaphys.), and when they see that the necessaries of life have already + been provided, but not before. And this is the reason why the names of the + ancients have been preserved to us and not their actions. This I infer + because Solon said that the priests in their narrative of that war + mentioned most of the names which are recorded prior to the time of + Theseus, such as Cecrops, and Erechtheus, and Erichthonius, and + Erysichthon, and the names of the women in like manner. Moreover, since + military pursuits were then common to men and women, the men of those days + in accordance with the custom of the time set up a figure and image of the + goddess in full armour, to be a testimony that all animals which associate + together, male as well as female, may, if they please, practise in common + the virtue which belongs to them without distinction of sex. + </p> + <p> + Now the country was inhabited in those days by various classes of + citizens;—there were artisans, and there were husbandmen, and there + was also a warrior class originally set apart by divine men. The latter + dwelt by themselves, and had all things suitable for nurture and + education; neither had any of them anything of their own, but they + regarded all that they had as common property; nor did they claim to + receive of the other citizens anything more than their necessary food. And + they practised all the pursuits which we yesterday described as those of + our imaginary guardians. Concerning the country the Egyptian priests said + what is not only probable but manifestly true, that the boundaries were in + those days fixed by the Isthmus, and that in the direction of the + continent they extended as far as the heights of Cithaeron and Parnes; the + boundary line came down in the direction of the sea, having the district + of Oropus on the right, and with the river Asopus as the limit on the + left. The land was the best in the world, and was therefore able in those + days to support a vast army, raised from the surrounding people. Even the + remnant of Attica which now exists may compare with any region in the + world for the variety and excellence of its fruits and the suitableness of + its pastures to every sort of animal, which proves what I am saying; but + in those days the country was fair as now and yielded far more abundant + produce. How shall I establish my words? and what part of it can be truly + called a remnant of the land that then was? The whole country is only a + long promontory extending far into the sea away from the rest of the + continent, while the surrounding basin of the sea is everywhere deep in + the neighbourhood of the shore. Many great deluges have taken place during + the nine thousand years, for that is the number of years which have + elapsed since the time of which I am speaking; and during all this time + and through so many changes, there has never been any considerable + accumulation of the soil coming down from the mountains, as in other + places, but the earth has fallen away all round and sunk out of sight. The + consequence is, that in comparison of what then was, there are remaining + only the bones of the wasted body, as they may be called, as in the case + of small islands, all the richer and softer parts of the soil having + fallen away, and the mere skeleton of the land being left. But in the + primitive state of the country, its mountains were high hills covered with + soil, and the plains, as they are termed by us, of Phelleus were full of + rich earth, and there was abundance of wood in the mountains. Of this last + the traces still remain, for although some of the mountains now only + afford sustenance to bees, not so very long ago there were still to be + seen roofs of timber cut from trees growing there, which were of a size + sufficient to cover the largest houses; and there were many other high + trees, cultivated by man and bearing abundance of food for cattle. + Moreover, the land reaped the benefit of the annual rainfall, not as now + losing the water which flows off the bare earth into the sea, but, having + an abundant supply in all places, and receiving it into herself and + treasuring it up in the close clay soil, it let off into the hollows the + streams which it absorbed from the heights, providing everywhere abundant + fountains and rivers, of which there may still be observed sacred + memorials in places where fountains once existed; and this proves the + truth of what I am saying. + </p> + <p> + Such was the natural state of the country, which was cultivated, as we may + well believe, by true husbandmen, who made husbandry their business, and + were lovers of honour, and of a noble nature, and had a soil the best in + the world, and abundance of water, and in the heaven above an excellently + attempered climate. Now the city in those days was arranged on this wise. + In the first place the Acropolis was not as now. For the fact is that a + single night of excessive rain washed away the earth and laid bare the + rock; at the same time there were earthquakes, and then occurred the + extraordinary inundation, which was the third before the great destruction + of Deucalion. But in primitive times the hill of the Acropolis extended to + the Eridanus and Ilissus, and included the Pnyx on one side, and the + Lycabettus as a boundary on the opposite side to the Pnyx, and was all + well covered with soil, and level at the top, except in one or two places. + Outside the Acropolis and under the sides of the hill there dwelt + artisans, and such of the husbandmen as were tilling the ground near; the + warrior class dwelt by themselves around the temples of Athene and + Hephaestus at the summit, which moreover they had enclosed with a single + fence like the garden of a single house. On the north side they had + dwellings in common and had erected halls for dining in winter, and had + all the buildings which they needed for their common life, besides + temples, but there was no adorning of them with gold and silver, for they + made no use of these for any purpose; they took a middle course between + meanness and ostentation, and built modest houses in which they and their + children's children grew old, and they handed them down to others who were + like themselves, always the same. But in summer-time they left their + gardens and gymnasia and dining halls, and then the southern side of the + hill was made use of by them for the same purpose. Where the Acropolis now + is there was a fountain, which was choked by the earthquake, and has left + only the few small streams which still exist in the vicinity, but in those + days the fountain gave an abundant supply of water for all and of suitable + temperature in summer and in winter. This is how they dwelt, being the + guardians of their own citizens and the leaders of the Hellenes, who were + their willing followers. And they took care to preserve the same number of + men and women through all time, being so many as were required for warlike + purposes, then as now—that is to say, about twenty thousand. Such + were the ancient Athenians, and after this manner they righteously + administered their own land and the rest of Hellas; they were renowned all + over Europe and Asia for the beauty of their persons and for the many + virtues of their souls, and of all men who lived in those days they were + the most illustrious. And next, if I have not forgotten what I heard when + I was a child, I will impart to you the character and origin of their + adversaries. For friends should not keep their stories to themselves, but + have them in common. + </p> + <p> + Yet, before proceeding further in the narrative, I ought to warn you, that + you must not be surprised if you should perhaps hear Hellenic names given + to foreigners. I will tell you the reason of this: Solon, who was + intending to use the tale for his poem, enquired into the meaning of the + names, and found that the early Egyptians in writing them down had + translated them into their own language, and he recovered the meaning of + the several names and when copying them out again translated them into our + language. My great-grandfather, Dropides, had the original writing, which + is still in my possession, and was carefully studied by me when I was a + child. Therefore if you hear names such as are used in this country, you + must not be surprised, for I have told how they came to be introduced. The + tale, which was of great length, began as follows:— + </p> + <p> + I have before remarked in speaking of the allotments of the gods, that + they distributed the whole earth into portions differing in extent, and + made for themselves temples and instituted sacrifices. And Poseidon, + receiving for his lot the island of Atlantis, begat children by a mortal + woman, and settled them in a part of the island, which I will describe. + Looking towards the sea, but in the centre of the whole island, there was + a plain which is said to have been the fairest of all plains and very + fertile. Near the plain again, and also in the centre of the island at a + distance of about fifty stadia, there was a mountain not very high on any + side. In this mountain there dwelt one of the earth-born primeval men of + that country, whose name was Evenor, and he had a wife named Leucippe, and + they had an only daughter who was called Cleito. The maiden had already + reached womanhood, when her father and mother died; Poseidon fell in love + with her and had intercourse with her, and breaking the ground, inclosed + the hill in which she dwelt all round, making alternate zones of sea and + land larger and smaller, encircling one another; there were two of land + and three of water, which he turned as with a lathe, each having its + circumference equidistant every way from the centre, so that no man could + get to the island, for ships and voyages were not as yet. He himself, + being a god, found no difficulty in making special arrangements for the + centre island, bringing up two springs of water from beneath the earth, + one of warm water and the other of cold, and making every variety of food + to spring up abundantly from the soil. He also begat and brought up five + pairs of twin male children; and dividing the island of Atlantis into ten + portions, he gave to the first-born of the eldest pair his mother's + dwelling and the surrounding allotment, which was the largest and best, + and made him king over the rest; the others he made princes, and gave them + rule over many men, and a large territory. And he named them all; the + eldest, who was the first king, he named Atlas, and after him the whole + island and the ocean were called Atlantic. To his twin brother, who was + born after him, and obtained as his lot the extremity of the island + towards the pillars of Heracles, facing the country which is now called + the region of Gades in that part of the world, he gave the name which in + the Hellenic language is Eumelus, in the language of the country which is + named after him, Gadeirus. Of the second pair of twins he called one + Ampheres, and the other Evaemon. To the elder of the third pair of twins + he gave the name Mneseus, and Autochthon to the one who followed him. Of + the fourth pair of twins he called the elder Elasippus, and the younger + Mestor. And of the fifth pair he gave to the elder the name of Azaes, and + to the younger that of Diaprepes. All these and their descendants for many + generations were the inhabitants and rulers of divers islands in the open + sea; and also, as has been already said, they held sway in our direction + over the country within the pillars as far as Egypt and Tyrrhenia. Now + Atlas had a numerous and honourable family, and they retained the kingdom, + the eldest son handing it on to his eldest for many generations; and they + had such an amount of wealth as was never before possessed by kings and + potentates, and is not likely ever to be again, and they were furnished + with everything which they needed, both in the city and country. For + because of the greatness of their empire many things were brought to them + from foreign countries, and the island itself provided most of what was + required by them for the uses of life. In the first place, they dug out of + the earth whatever was to be found there, solid as well as fusile, and + that which is now only a name and was then something more than a name, + orichalcum, was dug out of the earth in many parts of the island, being + more precious in those days than anything except gold. There was an + abundance of wood for carpenter's work, and sufficient maintenance for + tame and wild animals. Moreover, there were a great number of elephants in + the island; for as there was provision for all other sorts of animals, + both for those which live in lakes and marshes and rivers, and also for + those which live in mountains and on plains, so there was for the animal + which is the largest and most voracious of all. Also whatever fragrant + things there now are in the earth, whether roots, or herbage, or woods, or + essences which distil from fruit and flower, grew and thrived in that + land; also the fruit which admits of cultivation, both the dry sort, which + is given us for nourishment and any other which we use for food—we + call them all by the common name of pulse, and the fruits having a hard + rind, affording drinks and meats and ointments, and good store of + chestnuts and the like, which furnish pleasure and amusement, and are + fruits which spoil with keeping, and the pleasant kinds of dessert, with + which we console ourselves after dinner, when we are tired of eating—all + these that sacred island which then beheld the light of the sun, brought + forth fair and wondrous and in infinite abundance. With such blessings the + earth freely furnished them; meanwhile they went on constructing their + temples and palaces and harbours and docks. And they arranged the whole + country in the following manner:— + </p> + <p> + First of all they bridged over the zones of sea which surrounded the + ancient metropolis, making a road to and from the royal palace. And at the + very beginning they built the palace in the habitation of the god and of + their ancestors, which they continued to ornament in successive + generations, every king surpassing the one who went before him to the + utmost of his power, until they made the building a marvel to behold for + size and for beauty. And beginning from the sea they bored a canal of + three hundred feet in width and one hundred feet in depth and fifty stadia + in length, which they carried through to the outermost zone, making a + passage from the sea up to this, which became a harbour, and leaving an + opening sufficient to enable the largest vessels to find ingress. + Moreover, they divided at the bridges the zones of land which parted the + zones of sea, leaving room for a single trireme to pass out of one zone + into another, and they covered over the channels so as to leave a way + underneath for the ships; for the banks were raised considerably above the + water. Now the largest of the zones into which a passage was cut from the + sea was three stadia in breadth, and the zone of land which came next of + equal breadth; but the next two zones, the one of water, the other of + land, were two stadia, and the one which surrounded the central island was + a stadium only in width. The island in which the palace was situated had a + diameter of five stadia. All this including the zones and the bridge, + which was the sixth part of a stadium in width, they surrounded by a stone + wall on every side, placing towers and gates on the bridges where the sea + passed in. The stone which was used in the work they quarried from + underneath the centre island, and from underneath the zones, on the outer + as well as the inner side. One kind was white, another black, and a third + red, and as they quarried, they at the same time hollowed out double + docks, having roofs formed out of the native rock. Some of their buildings + were simple, but in others they put together different stones, varying the + colour to please the eye, and to be a natural source of delight. The + entire circuit of the wall, which went round the outermost zone, they + covered with a coating of brass, and the circuit of the next wall they + coated with tin, and the third, which encompassed the citadel, flashed + with the red light of orichalcum. The palaces in the interior of the + citadel were constructed on this wise:—In the centre was a holy + temple dedicated to Cleito and Poseidon, which remained inaccessible, and + was surrounded by an enclosure of gold; this was the spot where the family + of the ten princes first saw the light, and thither the people annually + brought the fruits of the earth in their season from all the ten portions, + to be an offering to each of the ten. Here was Poseidon's own temple which + was a stadium in length, and half a stadium in width, and of a + proportionate height, having a strange barbaric appearance. All the + outside of the temple, with the exception of the pinnacles, they covered + with silver, and the pinnacles with gold. In the interior of the temple + the roof was of ivory, curiously wrought everywhere with gold and silver + and orichalcum; and all the other parts, the walls and pillars and floor, + they coated with orichalcum. In the temple they placed statues of gold: + there was the god himself standing in a chariot—the charioteer of + six winged horses—and of such a size that he touched the roof of the + building with his head; around him there were a hundred Nereids riding on + dolphins, for such was thought to be the number of them by the men of + those days. There were also in the interior of the temple other images + which had been dedicated by private persons. And around the temple on the + outside were placed statues of gold of all the descendants of the ten + kings and of their wives, and there were many other great offerings of + kings and of private persons, coming both from the city itself and from + the foreign cities over which they held sway. There was an altar too, + which in size and workmanship corresponded to this magnificence, and the + palaces, in like manner, answered to the greatness of the kingdom and the + glory of the temple. + </p> + <p> + In the next place, they had fountains, one of cold and another of hot + water, in gracious plenty flowing; and they were wonderfully adapted for + use by reason of the pleasantness and excellence of their waters. They + constructed buildings about them and planted suitable trees, also they + made cisterns, some open to the heaven, others roofed over, to be used in + winter as warm baths; there were the kings' baths, and the baths of + private persons, which were kept apart; and there were separate baths for + women, and for horses and cattle, and to each of them they gave as much + adornment as was suitable. Of the water which ran off they carried some to + the grove of Poseidon, where were growing all manner of trees of wonderful + height and beauty, owing to the excellence of the soil, while the + remainder was conveyed by aqueducts along the bridges to the outer + circles; and there were many temples built and dedicated to many gods; + also gardens and places of exercise, some for men, and others for horses + in both of the two islands formed by the zones; and in the centre of the + larger of the two there was set apart a race-course of a stadium in width, + and in length allowed to extend all round the island, for horses to race + in. Also there were guard-houses at intervals for the guards, the more + trusted of whom were appointed to keep watch in the lesser zone, which was + nearer the Acropolis; while the most trusted of all had houses given them + within the citadel, near the persons of the kings. The docks were full of + triremes and naval stores, and all things were quite ready for use. Enough + of the plan of the royal palace. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the palace and passing out across the three harbours, you came to + a wall which began at the sea and went all round: this was everywhere + distant fifty stadia from the largest zone or harbour, and enclosed the + whole, the ends meeting at the mouth of the channel which led to the sea. + The entire area was densely crowded with habitations; and the canal and + the largest of the harbours were full of vessels and merchants coming from + all parts, who, from their numbers, kept up a multitudinous sound of human + voices, and din and clatter of all sorts night and day. + </p> + <p> + I have described the city and the environs of the ancient palace nearly in + the words of Solon, and now I must endeavour to represent to you the + nature and arrangement of the rest of the land. The whole country was said + by him to be very lofty and precipitous on the side of the sea, but the + country immediately about and surrounding the city was a level plain, + itself surrounded by mountains which descended towards the sea; it was + smooth and even, and of an oblong shape, extending in one direction three + thousand stadia, but across the centre inland it was two thousand stadia. + This part of the island looked towards the south, and was sheltered from + the north. The surrounding mountains were celebrated for their number and + size and beauty, far beyond any which still exist, having in them also + many wealthy villages of country folk, and rivers, and lakes, and meadows + supplying food enough for every animal, wild or tame, and much wood of + various sorts, abundant for each and every kind of work. + </p> + <p> + I will now describe the plain, as it was fashioned by nature and by the + labours of many generations of kings through long ages. It was for the + most part rectangular and oblong, and where falling out of the straight + line followed the circular ditch. The depth, and width, and length of this + ditch were incredible, and gave the impression that a work of such extent, + in addition to so many others, could never have been artificial. + Nevertheless I must say what I was told. It was excavated to the depth of + a hundred feet, and its breadth was a stadium everywhere; it was carried + round the whole of the plain, and was ten thousand stadia in length. It + received the streams which came down from the mountains, and winding round + the plain and meeting at the city, was there let off into the sea. Further + inland, likewise, straight canals of a hundred feet in width were cut from + it through the plain, and again let off into the ditch leading to the sea: + these canals were at intervals of a hundred stadia, and by them they + brought down the wood from the mountains to the city, and conveyed the + fruits of the earth in ships, cutting transverse passages from one canal + into another, and to the city. Twice in the year they gathered the fruits + of the earth—in winter having the benefit of the rains of heaven, + and in summer the water which the land supplied by introducing streams + from the canals. + </p> + <p> + As to the population, each of the lots in the plain had to find a leader + for the men who were fit for military service, and the size of a lot was a + square of ten stadia each way, and the total number of all the lots was + sixty thousand. And of the inhabitants of the mountains and of the rest of + the country there was also a vast multitude, which was distributed among + the lots and had leaders assigned to them according to their districts and + villages. The leader was required to furnish for the war the sixth portion + of a war-chariot, so as to make up a total of ten thousand chariots; also + two horses and riders for them, and a pair of chariot-horses without a + seat, accompanied by a horseman who could fight on foot carrying a small + shield, and having a charioteer who stood behind the man-at-arms to guide + the two horses; also, he was bound to furnish two heavy-armed soldiers, + two archers, two slingers, three stone-shooters and three javelin-men, who + were light-armed, and four sailors to make up the complement of twelve + hundred ships. Such was the military order of the royal city—the + order of the other nine governments varied, and it would be wearisome to + recount their several differences. + </p> + <p> + As to offices and honours, the following was the arrangement from the + first. Each of the ten kings in his own division and in his own city had + the absolute control of the citizens, and, in most cases, of the laws, + punishing and slaying whomsoever he would. Now the order of precedence + among them and their mutual relations were regulated by the commands of + Poseidon which the law had handed down. These were inscribed by the first + kings on a pillar of orichalcum, which was situated in the middle of the + island, at the temple of Poseidon, whither the kings were gathered + together every fifth and every sixth year alternately, thus giving equal + honour to the odd and to the even number. And when they were gathered + together they consulted about their common interests, and enquired if any + one had transgressed in anything, and passed judgment, and before they + passed judgment they gave their pledges to one another on this wise:—There + were bulls who had the range of the temple of Poseidon; and the ten kings, + being left alone in the temple, after they had offered prayers to the god + that they might capture the victim which was acceptable to him, hunted the + bulls, without weapons, but with staves and nooses; and the bull which + they caught they led up to the pillar and cut its throat over the top of + it so that the blood fell upon the sacred inscription. Now on the pillar, + besides the laws, there was inscribed an oath invoking mighty curses on + the disobedient. When therefore, after slaying the bull in the accustomed + manner, they had burnt its limbs, they filled a bowl of wine and cast in a + clot of blood for each of them; the rest of the victim they put in the + fire, after having purified the column all round. Then they drew from the + bowl in golden cups, and pouring a libation on the fire, they swore that + they would judge according to the laws on the pillar, and would punish him + who in any point had already transgressed them, and that for the future + they would not, if they could help, offend against the writing on the + pillar, and would neither command others, nor obey any ruler who commanded + them, to act otherwise than according to the laws of their father + Poseidon. This was the prayer which each of them offered up for himself + and for his descendants, at the same time drinking and dedicating the cup + out of which he drank in the temple of the god; and after they had supped + and satisfied their needs, when darkness came on, and the fire about the + sacrifice was cool, all of them put on most beautiful azure robes, and, + sitting on the ground, at night, over the embers of the sacrifices by + which they had sworn, and extinguishing all the fire about the temple, + they received and gave judgment, if any of them had an accusation to bring + against any one; and when they had given judgment, at daybreak they wrote + down their sentences on a golden tablet, and dedicated it together with + their robes to be a memorial. + </p> + <p> + There were many special laws affecting the several kings inscribed about + the temples, but the most important was the following: They were not to + take up arms against one another, and they were all to come to the rescue + if any one in any of their cities attempted to overthrow the royal house; + like their ancestors, they were to deliberate in common about war and + other matters, giving the supremacy to the descendants of Atlas. And the + king was not to have the power of life and death over any of his kinsmen + unless he had the assent of the majority of the ten. + </p> + <p> + Such was the vast power which the god settled in the lost island of + Atlantis; and this he afterwards directed against our land for the + following reasons, as tradition tells: For many generations, as long as + the divine nature lasted in them, they were obedient to the laws, and + well-affectioned towards the god, whose seed they were; for they possessed + true and in every way great spirits, uniting gentleness with wisdom in the + various chances of life, and in their intercourse with one another. They + despised everything but virtue, caring little for their present state of + life, and thinking lightly of the possession of gold and other property, + which seemed only a burden to them; neither were they intoxicated by + luxury; nor did wealth deprive them of their self-control; but they were + sober, and saw clearly that all these goods are increased by virtue and + friendship with one another, whereas by too great regard and respect for + them, they are lost and friendship with them. By such reflections and by + the continuance in them of a divine nature, the qualities which we have + described grew and increased among them; but when the divine portion began + to fade away, and became diluted too often and too much with the mortal + admixture, and the human nature got the upper hand, they then, being + unable to bear their fortune, behaved unseemly, and to him who had an eye + to see grew visibly debased, for they were losing the fairest of their + precious gifts; but to those who had no eye to see the true happiness, + they appeared glorious and blessed at the very time when they were full of + avarice and unrighteous power. Zeus, the god of gods, who rules according + to law, and is able to see into such things, perceiving that an honourable + race was in a woeful plight, and wanting to inflict punishment on them, + that they might be chastened and improve, collected all the gods into + their most holy habitation, which, being placed in the centre of the + world, beholds all created things. And when he had called them together, + he spake as follows—[*] + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The rest of the Dialogue of Critias has been lost. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Critias, by Plato + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CRITIAS *** + +***** This file should be named 1571-h.htm or 1571-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/7/1571/ + +Produced by Sue Asscher, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Critias + +Author: Plato + +Translator: Benjamin Jowett + +Posting Date: August 15, 2008 [EBook #1571] +Release Date: December, 1998 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CRITIAS *** + + + + +Produced by Sue Asscher + + + + + +CRITIAS + +by Plato + + +Translated by Benjamin Jowett + + + + +INTRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS. + +The Critias is a fragment which breaks off in the middle of a sentence. +It was designed to be the second part of a trilogy, which, like the +other great Platonic trilogy of the Sophist, Statesman, Philosopher, was +never completed. Timaeus had brought down the origin of the world to +the creation of man, and the dawn of history was now to succeed the +philosophy of nature. The Critias is also connected with the Republic. +Plato, as he has already told us (Tim.), intended to represent the +ideal state engaged in a patriotic conflict. This mythical conflict is +prophetic or symbolical of the struggle of Athens and Persia, perhaps +in some degree also of the wars of the Greeks and Carthaginians, in the +same way that the Persian is prefigured by the Trojan war to the mind +of Herodotus, or as the narrative of the first part of the Aeneid is +intended by Virgil to foreshadow the wars of Carthage and Rome. The +small number of the primitive Athenian citizens (20,000), 'which is +about their present number' (Crit.), is evidently designed to contrast +with the myriads and barbaric array of the Atlantic hosts. The passing +remark in the Timaeus that Athens was left alone in the struggle, in +which she conquered and became the liberator of Greece, is also an +allusion to the later history. Hence we may safely conclude that the +entire narrative is due to the imagination of Plato, who has used the +name of Solon and introduced the Egyptian priests to give verisimilitude +to his story. To the Greek such a tale, like that of the earth-born +men, would have seemed perfectly accordant with the character of his +mythology, and not more marvellous than the wonders of the East narrated +by Herodotus and others: he might have been deceived into believing it. +But it appears strange that later ages should have been imposed upon by +the fiction. As many attempts have been made to find the great island of +Atlantis, as to discover the country of the lost tribes. Without regard +to the description of Plato, and without a suspicion that the whole +narrative is a fabrication, interpreters have looked for the spot in +every part of the globe, America, Arabia Felix, Ceylon, Palestine, +Sardinia, Sweden. + +Timaeus concludes with a prayer that his words may be acceptable to the +God whom he has revealed, and Critias, whose turn follows, begs that a +larger measure of indulgence may be conceded to him, because he has to +speak of men whom we know and not of gods whom we do not know. Socrates +readily grants his request, and anticipating that Hermocrates will make +a similar petition, extends by anticipation a like indulgence to him. + +Critias returns to his story, professing only to repeat what Solon was +told by the priests. The war of which he was about to speak had occurred +9000 years ago. One of the combatants was the city of Athens, the other +was the great island of Atlantis. Critias proposes to speak of these +rival powers first of all, giving to Athens the precedence; the various +tribes of Greeks and barbarians who took part in the war will be dealt +with as they successively appear on the scene. + +In the beginning the gods agreed to divide the earth by lot in a +friendly manner, and when they had made the allotment they settled +their several countries, and were the shepherds or rather the pilots of +mankind, whom they guided by persuasion, and not by force. Hephaestus +and Athena, brother and sister deities, in mind and art united, obtained +as their lot the land of Attica, a land suited to the growth of virtue +and wisdom; and there they settled a brave race of children of the soil, +and taught them how to order the state. Some of their names, such as +Cecrops, Erechtheus, Erichthonius, and Erysichthon, were preserved and +adopted in later times, but the memory of their deeds has passed away; +for there have since been many deluges, and the remnant who survived +in the mountains were ignorant of the art of writing, and during many +generations were wholly devoted to acquiring the means of life...And the +armed image of the goddess which was dedicated by the ancient Athenians +is an evidence to other ages that men and women had in those days, +as they ought always to have, common virtues and pursuits. There were +various classes of citizens, including handicraftsmen and husbandmen and +a superior class of warriors who dwelt apart, and were educated, and had +all things in common, like our guardians. Attica in those days extended +southwards to the Isthmus, and inland to the heights of Parnes and +Cithaeron, and between them and the sea included the district of Oropus. +The country was then, as what remains of it still is, the most fertile +in the world, and abounded in rich plains and pastures. But in the +course of ages much of the soil was washed away and disappeared in +the deep sea. And the inhabitants of this fair land were endowed with +intelligence and the love of beauty. + +The Acropolis of the ancient Athens extended to the Ilissus and +Eridanus, and included the Pnyx, and the Lycabettus on the opposite side +to the Pnyx, having a level surface and deep soil. The side of the hill +was inhabited by craftsmen and husbandmen; and the warriors dwelt by +themselves on the summit, around the temples of Hephaestus and Athene, +in an enclosure which was like the garden of a single house. In winter +they retired into houses on the north of the hill, in which they held +their syssitia. These were modest dwellings, which they bequeathed +unaltered to their children's children. In summer time the south +side was inhabited by them, and then they left their gardens and +dining-halls. In the midst of the Acropolis was a fountain, which gave +an abundant supply of cool water in summer and warm in winter; of this +there are still some traces. They were careful to preserve the number of +fighting men and women at 20,000, which is equal to that of the present +military force. And so they passed their lives as guardians of the +citizens and leaders of the Hellenes. They were a just and famous race, +celebrated for their beauty and virtue all over Europe and Asia. + +And now I will speak to you of their adversaries, but first I ought to +explain that the Greek names were given to Solon in an Egyptian form, +and he enquired their meaning and translated them. His manuscript was +left with my grandfather Dropides, and is now in my possession...In the +division of the earth Poseidon obtained as his portion the island of +Atlantis, and there he begat children whose mother was a mortal. Towards +the sea and in the centre of the island there was a very fair and +fertile plain, and near the centre, about fifty stadia from the plain, +there was a low mountain in which dwelt a man named Evenor and his wife +Leucippe, and their daughter Cleito, of whom Poseidon became enamoured. +He to secure his love enclosed the mountain with rings or zones varying +in size, two of land and three of sea, which his divine power readily +enabled him to excavate and fashion, and, as there was no shipping in +those days, no man could get into the place. To the interior island he +conveyed under the earth springs of water hot and cold, and supplied the +land with all things needed for the life of man. Here he begat a family +consisting of five pairs of twin male children. The eldest was Atlas, +and him he made king of the centre island, while to his twin brother, +Eumelus, or Gadeirus, he assigned that part of the country which was +nearest the Straits. The other brothers he made chiefs over the rest of +the island. And their kingdom extended as far as Egypt and Tyrrhenia. +Now Atlas had a fair posterity, and great treasures derived from +mines--among them that precious metal orichalcum; and there was +abundance of wood, and herds of elephants, and pastures for animals of +all kinds, and fragrant herbs, and grasses, and trees bearing fruit. +These they used, and employed themselves in constructing their temples, +and palaces, and harbours, and docks, in the following manner:--First, +they bridged over the zones of sea, and made a way to and from the royal +palace which they built in the centre island. This ancient palace was +ornamented by successive generations; and they dug a canal which passed +through the zones of land from the island to the sea. The zones of earth +were surrounded by walls made of stone of divers colours, black and +white and red, which they sometimes intermingled for the sake of +ornament; and as they quarried they hollowed out beneath the edges of +the zones double docks having roofs of rock. The outermost of the walls +was coated with brass, the second with tin, and the third, which was the +wall of the citadel, flashed with the red light of orichalcum. In the +interior of the citadel was a holy temple, dedicated to Cleito and +Poseidon, and surrounded by an enclosure of gold, and there was +Poseidon's own temple, which was covered with silver, and the pinnacles +with gold. The roof was of ivory, adorned with gold and silver and +orichalcum, and the rest of the interior was lined with orichalcum. +Within was an image of the god standing in a chariot drawn by six winged +horses, and touching the roof with his head; around him were a hundred +Nereids, riding on dolphins. Outside the temple were placed golden +statues of all the descendants of the ten kings and of their wives; +there was an altar too, and there were palaces, corresponding to the +greatness and glory both of the kingdom and of the temple. + +Also there were fountains of hot and cold water, and suitable buildings +surrounding them, and trees, and there were baths both of the kings +and of private individuals, and separate baths for women, and also for +cattle. The water from the baths was carried to the grove of Poseidon, +and by aqueducts over the bridges to the outer circles. And there +were temples in the zones, and in the larger of the two there was a +racecourse for horses, which ran all round the island. The guards were +distributed in the zones according to the trust reposed in them; the +most trusted of them were stationed in the citadel. The docks were full +of triremes and stores. The land between the harbour and the sea was +surrounded by a wall, and was crowded with dwellings, and the harbour +and canal resounded with the din of human voices. + +The plain around the city was highly cultivated and sheltered from the +north by mountains; it was oblong, and where falling out of the straight +line followed the circular ditch, which was of an incredible depth. This +depth received the streams which came down from the mountains, as well +as the canals of the interior, and found a way to the sea. The entire +country was divided into sixty thousand lots, each of which was a square +of ten stadia; and the owner of a lot was bound to furnish the sixth +part of a war-chariot, so as to make up ten thousand chariots, two +horses and riders upon them, a pair of chariot-horses without a +seat, and an attendant and charioteer, two hoplites, two archers, two +slingers, three stone-shooters, three javelin-men, and four sailors to +make up the complement of twelve hundred ships. + +Each of the ten kings was absolute in his own city and kingdom. The +relations of the different governments to one another were determined by +the injunctions of Poseidon, which had been inscribed by the first kings +on a column of orichalcum in the temple of Poseidon, at which the kings +and princes gathered together and held a festival every fifth and every +sixth year alternately. Around the temple ranged the bulls of Poseidon, +one of which the ten kings caught and sacrificed, shedding the blood of +the victim over the inscription, and vowing not to transgress the laws +of their father Poseidon. When night came, they put on azure robes +and gave judgment against offenders. The most important of their laws +related to their dealings with one another. They were not to take up +arms against one another, and were to come to the rescue if any of their +brethren were attacked. They were to deliberate in common about war, and +the king was not to have the power of life and death over his kinsmen, +unless he had the assent of the majority. + +For many generations, as tradition tells, the people of Atlantis were +obedient to the laws and to the gods, and practised gentleness and +wisdom in their intercourse with one another. They knew that they could +only have the true use of riches by not caring about them. But gradually +the divine portion of their souls became diluted with too much of the +mortal admixture, and they began to degenerate, though to the outward +eye they appeared glorious as ever at the very time when they were +filled with all iniquity. The all-seeing Zeus, wanting to punish them, +held a council of the gods, and when he had called them together, he +spoke as follows:-- + +No one knew better than Plato how to invent 'a noble lie.' Observe (1) +the innocent declaration of Socrates, that the truth of the story is +a great advantage: (2) the manner in which traditional names and +indications of geography are intermingled ('Why, here be truths!'): (3) +the extreme minuteness with which the numbers are given, as in the +Old Epic poetry: (4) the ingenious reason assigned for the Greek names +occurring in the Egyptian tale: (5) the remark that the armed statue +of Athena indicated the common warrior life of men and women: (6) the +particularity with which the third deluge before that of Deucalion is +affirmed to have been the great destruction: (7) the happy guess that +great geological changes have been effected by water: (8) the indulgence +of the prejudice against sailing beyond the Columns, and the popular +belief of the shallowness of the ocean in that part: (9) the confession +that the depth of the ditch in the Island of Atlantis was not to be +believed, and 'yet he could only repeat what he had heard', compared +with the statement made in an earlier passage that Poseidon, being a +God, found no difficulty in contriving the water-supply of the centre +island: (10) the mention of the old rivalry of Poseidon and Athene, and +the creation of the first inhabitants out of the soil. Plato here, as +elsewhere, ingeniously gives the impression that he is telling the truth +which mythology had corrupted. + +The world, like a child, has readily, and for the most part +unhesitatingly, accepted the tale of the Island of Atlantis. In modern +times we hardly seek for traces of the submerged continent; but even +Mr. Grote is inclined to believe in the Egyptian poem of Solon of which +there is no evidence in antiquity; while others, like Martin, discuss +the Egyptian origin of the legend, or like M. de Humboldt, whom +he quotes, are disposed to find in it a vestige of a widely-spread +tradition. Others, adopting a different vein of reflection, regard the +Island of Atlantis as the anticipation of a still greater island--the +Continent of America. 'The tale,' says M. Martin, 'rests upon the +authority of the Egyptian priests; and the Egyptian priests took a +pleasure in deceiving the Greeks.' He never appears to suspect that +there is a greater deceiver or magician than the Egyptian priests, that +is to say, Plato himself, from the dominion of whose genius the critic +and natural philosopher of modern times are not wholly emancipated. +Although worthless in respect of any result which can be attained by +them, discussions like those of M. Martin (Timee) have an interest of +their own, and may be compared to the similar discussions regarding the +Lost Tribes (2 Esdras), as showing how the chance word of some poet +or philosopher has given birth to endless religious or historical +enquiries. (See Introduction to the Timaeus.) + +In contrasting the small Greek city numbering about twenty thousand +inhabitants with the barbaric greatness of the island of Atlantis, Plato +probably intended to show that a state, such as the ideal Athens, was +invincible, though matched against any number of opponents (cp. Rep.). +Even in a great empire there might be a degree of virtue and justice, +such as the Greeks believed to have existed under the sway of the first +Persian kings. But all such empires were liable to degenerate, and soon +incurred the anger of the gods. Their Oriental wealth, and splendour of +gold and silver, and variety of colours, seemed also to be at variance +with the simplicity of Greek notions. In the island of Atlantis, Plato +is describing a sort of Babylonian or Egyptian city, to which he opposes +the frugal life of the true Hellenic citizen. It is remarkable that in +his brief sketch of them, he idealizes the husbandmen 'who are lovers +of honour and true husbandmen,' as well as the warriors who are his +sole concern in the Republic; and that though he speaks of the common +pursuits of men and women, he says nothing of the community of wives and +children. + +It is singular that Plato should have prefixed the most detested of +Athenian names to this dialogue, and even more singular that he should +have put into the mouth of Socrates a panegyric on him (Tim.). Yet we +know that his character was accounted infamous by Xenophon, and that +the mere acquaintance with him was made a subject of accusation against +Socrates. We can only infer that in this, and perhaps in some other +cases, Plato's characters have no reference to the actual facts. The +desire to do honour to his own family, and the connection with Solon, +may have suggested the introduction of his name. Why the Critias was +never completed, whether from accident, or from advancing age, or from a +sense of the artistic difficulty of the design, cannot be determined. + + + + + +CRITIAS. + + +PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE: Critias, Hermocrates, Timaeus, Socrates. + + +TIMAEUS: How thankful I am, Socrates, that I have arrived at last, and, +like a weary traveller after a long journey, may be at rest! And I pray +the being who always was of old, and has now been by me revealed, to +grant that my words may endure in so far as they have been spoken truly +and acceptably to him; but if unintentionally I have said anything +wrong, I pray that he will impose upon me a just retribution, and +the just retribution of him who errs is that he should be set right. +Wishing, then, to speak truly in future concerning the generation of +the gods, I pray him to give me knowledge, which of all medicines is the +most perfect and best. And now having offered my prayer I deliver up the +argument to Critias, who is to speak next according to our agreement. +(Tim.) + +CRITIAS: And I, Timaeus, accept the trust, and as you at first said +that you were going to speak of high matters, and begged that some +forbearance might be shown to you, I too ask the same or greater +forbearance for what I am about to say. And although I very well know +that my request may appear to be somewhat ambitious and discourteous, I +must make it nevertheless. For will any man of sense deny that you +have spoken well? I can only attempt to show that I ought to have more +indulgence than you, because my theme is more difficult; and I shall +argue that to seem to speak well of the gods to men is far easier than +to speak well of men to men: for the inexperience and utter ignorance +of his hearers about any subject is a great assistance to him who has to +speak of it, and we know how ignorant we are concerning the gods. But I +should like to make my meaning clearer, if you will follow me. All that +is said by any of us can only be imitation and representation. For if +we consider the likenesses which painters make of bodies divine and +heavenly, and the different degrees of gratification with which the eye +of the spectator receives them, we shall see that we are satisfied +with the artist who is able in any degree to imitate the earth and its +mountains, and the rivers, and the woods, and the universe, and the +things that are and move therein, and further, that knowing nothing +precise about such matters, we do not examine or analyze the painting; +all that is required is a sort of indistinct and deceptive mode of +shadowing them forth. But when a person endeavours to paint the human +form we are quick at finding out defects, and our familiar knowledge +makes us severe judges of any one who does not render every point of +similarity. And we may observe the same thing to happen in discourse; +we are satisfied with a picture of divine and heavenly things which has +very little likeness to them; but we are more precise in our criticism +of mortal and human things. Wherefore if at the moment of speaking I +cannot suitably express my meaning, you must excuse me, considering that +to form approved likenesses of human things is the reverse of easy. This +is what I want to suggest to you, and at the same time to beg, Socrates, +that I may have not less, but more indulgence conceded to me in what I +am about to say. Which favour, if I am right in asking, I hope that you +will be ready to grant. + +SOCRATES: Certainly, Critias, we will grant your request, and we will +grant the same by anticipation to Hermocrates, as well as to you and +Timaeus; for I have no doubt that when his turn comes a little while +hence, he will make the same request which you have made. In order, +then, that he may provide himself with a fresh beginning, and not be +compelled to say the same things over again, let him understand that the +indulgence is already extended by anticipation to him. And now, friend +Critias, I will announce to you the judgment of the theatre. They are of +opinion that the last performer was wonderfully successful, and that you +will need a great deal of indulgence before you will be able to take his +place. + +HERMOCRATES: The warning, Socrates, which you have addressed to him, I +must also take to myself. But remember, Critias, that faint heart never +yet raised a trophy; and therefore you must go and attack the argument +like a man. First invoke Apollo and the Muses, and then let us hear you +sound the praises and show forth the virtues of your ancient citizens. + +CRITIAS: Friend Hermocrates, you, who are stationed last and have +another in front of you, have not lost heart as yet; the gravity of +the situation will soon be revealed to you; meanwhile I accept your +exhortations and encouragements. But besides the gods and goddesses +whom you have mentioned, I would specially invoke Mnemosyne; for all the +important part of my discourse is dependent on her favour, and if I can +recollect and recite enough of what was said by the priests and brought +hither by Solon, I doubt not that I shall satisfy the requirements of +this theatre. And now, making no more excuses, I will proceed. + +Let me begin by observing first of all, that nine thousand was the sum +of years which had elapsed since the war which was said to have taken +place between those who dwelt outside the pillars of Heracles and +all who dwelt within them; this war I am going to describe. Of the +combatants on the one side, the city of Athens was reported to have been +the leader and to have fought out the war; the combatants on the other +side were commanded by the kings of Atlantis, which, as I was saying, +was an island greater in extent than Libya and Asia, and when afterwards +sunk by an earthquake, became an impassable barrier of mud to voyagers +sailing from hence to any part of the ocean. The progress of the history +will unfold the various nations of barbarians and families of Hellenes +which then existed, as they successively appear on the scene; but I must +describe first of all the Athenians of that day, and their enemies who +fought with them, and then the respective powers and governments of the +two kingdoms. Let us give the precedence to Athens. + +In the days of old, the gods had the whole earth distributed among +them by allotment (Cp. Polit.) There was no quarrelling; for you cannot +rightly suppose that the gods did not know what was proper for each +of them to have, or, knowing this, that they would seek to procure for +themselves by contention that which more properly belonged to others. +They all of them by just apportionment obtained what they wanted, and +peopled their own districts; and when they had peopled them they tended +us, their nurselings and possessions, as shepherds tend their flocks, +excepting only that they did not use blows or bodily force, as shepherds +do, but governed us like pilots from the stern of the vessel, which +is an easy way of guiding animals, holding our souls by the rudder of +persuasion according to their own pleasure;--thus did they guide all +mortal creatures. Now different gods had their allotments in different +places which they set in order. Hephaestus and Athene, who were brother +and sister, and sprang from the same father, having a common nature, and +being united also in the love of philosophy and art, both obtained as +their common portion this land, which was naturally adapted for wisdom +and virtue; and there they implanted brave children of the soil, and put +into their minds the order of government; their names are preserved, but +their actions have disappeared by reason of the destruction of those who +received the tradition, and the lapse of ages. For when there were +any survivors, as I have already said, they were men who dwelt in the +mountains; and they were ignorant of the art of writing, and had heard +only the names of the chiefs of the land, but very little about their +actions. The names they were willing enough to give to their children; +but the virtues and the laws of their predecessors, they knew only by +obscure traditions; and as they themselves and their children lacked for +many generations the necessaries of life, they directed their attention +to the supply of their wants, and of them they conversed, to the neglect +of events that had happened in times long past; for mythology and the +enquiry into antiquity are first introduced into cities when they begin +to have leisure (Cp. Arist. Metaphys.), and when they see that the +necessaries of life have already been provided, but not before. And this +is the reason why the names of the ancients have been preserved to us +and not their actions. This I infer because Solon said that the priests +in their narrative of that war mentioned most of the names which are +recorded prior to the time of Theseus, such as Cecrops, and Erechtheus, +and Erichthonius, and Erysichthon, and the names of the women in like +manner. Moreover, since military pursuits were then common to men and +women, the men of those days in accordance with the custom of the +time set up a figure and image of the goddess in full armour, to be a +testimony that all animals which associate together, male as well as +female, may, if they please, practise in common the virtue which belongs +to them without distinction of sex. + +Now the country was inhabited in those days by various classes of +citizens;--there were artisans, and there were husbandmen, and there +was also a warrior class originally set apart by divine men. The +latter dwelt by themselves, and had all things suitable for nurture +and education; neither had any of them anything of their own, but they +regarded all that they had as common property; nor did they claim to +receive of the other citizens anything more than their necessary food. +And they practised all the pursuits which we yesterday described as +those of our imaginary guardians. Concerning the country the Egyptian +priests said what is not only probable but manifestly true, that the +boundaries were in those days fixed by the Isthmus, and that in the +direction of the continent they extended as far as the heights of +Cithaeron and Parnes; the boundary line came down in the direction of +the sea, having the district of Oropus on the right, and with the river +Asopus as the limit on the left. The land was the best in the world, and +was therefore able in those days to support a vast army, raised from +the surrounding people. Even the remnant of Attica which now exists may +compare with any region in the world for the variety and excellence of +its fruits and the suitableness of its pastures to every sort of animal, +which proves what I am saying; but in those days the country was fair +as now and yielded far more abundant produce. How shall I establish my +words? and what part of it can be truly called a remnant of the land +that then was? The whole country is only a long promontory extending far +into the sea away from the rest of the continent, while the surrounding +basin of the sea is everywhere deep in the neighbourhood of the shore. +Many great deluges have taken place during the nine thousand years, for +that is the number of years which have elapsed since the time of which I +am speaking; and during all this time and through so many changes, there +has never been any considerable accumulation of the soil coming down +from the mountains, as in other places, but the earth has fallen away +all round and sunk out of sight. The consequence is, that in comparison +of what then was, there are remaining only the bones of the wasted body, +as they may be called, as in the case of small islands, all the richer +and softer parts of the soil having fallen away, and the mere skeleton +of the land being left. But in the primitive state of the country, its +mountains were high hills covered with soil, and the plains, as they +are termed by us, of Phelleus were full of rich earth, and there was +abundance of wood in the mountains. Of this last the traces still +remain, for although some of the mountains now only afford sustenance to +bees, not so very long ago there were still to be seen roofs of timber +cut from trees growing there, which were of a size sufficient to cover +the largest houses; and there were many other high trees, cultivated by +man and bearing abundance of food for cattle. Moreover, the land reaped +the benefit of the annual rainfall, not as now losing the water which +flows off the bare earth into the sea, but, having an abundant supply +in all places, and receiving it into herself and treasuring it up in +the close clay soil, it let off into the hollows the streams which it +absorbed from the heights, providing everywhere abundant fountains and +rivers, of which there may still be observed sacred memorials in places +where fountains once existed; and this proves the truth of what I am +saying. + +Such was the natural state of the country, which was cultivated, as we +may well believe, by true husbandmen, who made husbandry their business, +and were lovers of honour, and of a noble nature, and had a soil the +best in the world, and abundance of water, and in the heaven above an +excellently attempered climate. Now the city in those days was arranged +on this wise. In the first place the Acropolis was not as now. For the +fact is that a single night of excessive rain washed away the earth and +laid bare the rock; at the same time there were earthquakes, and then +occurred the extraordinary inundation, which was the third before the +great destruction of Deucalion. But in primitive times the hill of the +Acropolis extended to the Eridanus and Ilissus, and included the Pnyx on +one side, and the Lycabettus as a boundary on the opposite side to the +Pnyx, and was all well covered with soil, and level at the top, except +in one or two places. Outside the Acropolis and under the sides of the +hill there dwelt artisans, and such of the husbandmen as were tilling +the ground near; the warrior class dwelt by themselves around the +temples of Athene and Hephaestus at the summit, which moreover they had +enclosed with a single fence like the garden of a single house. On the +north side they had dwellings in common and had erected halls for dining +in winter, and had all the buildings which they needed for their common +life, besides temples, but there was no adorning of them with gold +and silver, for they made no use of these for any purpose; they took a +middle course between meanness and ostentation, and built modest houses +in which they and their children's children grew old, and they handed +them down to others who were like themselves, always the same. But in +summer-time they left their gardens and gymnasia and dining halls, and +then the southern side of the hill was made use of by them for the same +purpose. Where the Acropolis now is there was a fountain, which was +choked by the earthquake, and has left only the few small streams which +still exist in the vicinity, but in those days the fountain gave an +abundant supply of water for all and of suitable temperature in summer +and in winter. This is how they dwelt, being the guardians of their +own citizens and the leaders of the Hellenes, who were their willing +followers. And they took care to preserve the same number of men and +women through all time, being so many as were required for warlike +purposes, then as now--that is to say, about twenty thousand. Such +were the ancient Athenians, and after this manner they righteously +administered their own land and the rest of Hellas; they were renowned +all over Europe and Asia for the beauty of their persons and for the +many virtues of their souls, and of all men who lived in those days +they were the most illustrious. And next, if I have not forgotten what I +heard when I was a child, I will impart to you the character and origin +of their adversaries. For friends should not keep their stories to +themselves, but have them in common. + +Yet, before proceeding further in the narrative, I ought to warn you, +that you must not be surprised if you should perhaps hear Hellenic names +given to foreigners. I will tell you the reason of this: Solon, who was +intending to use the tale for his poem, enquired into the meaning of +the names, and found that the early Egyptians in writing them down had +translated them into their own language, and he recovered the meaning of +the several names and when copying them out again translated them into +our language. My great-grandfather, Dropides, had the original writing, +which is still in my possession, and was carefully studied by me when +I was a child. Therefore if you hear names such as are used in this +country, you must not be surprised, for I have told how they came to be +introduced. The tale, which was of great length, began as follows:-- + +I have before remarked in speaking of the allotments of the gods, that +they distributed the whole earth into portions differing in extent, and +made for themselves temples and instituted sacrifices. And Poseidon, +receiving for his lot the island of Atlantis, begat children by a mortal +woman, and settled them in a part of the island, which I will describe. +Looking towards the sea, but in the centre of the whole island, there +was a plain which is said to have been the fairest of all plains and +very fertile. Near the plain again, and also in the centre of the island +at a distance of about fifty stadia, there was a mountain not very high +on any side. In this mountain there dwelt one of the earth-born primeval +men of that country, whose name was Evenor, and he had a wife named +Leucippe, and they had an only daughter who was called Cleito. The +maiden had already reached womanhood, when her father and mother +died; Poseidon fell in love with her and had intercourse with her, and +breaking the ground, inclosed the hill in which she dwelt all round, +making alternate zones of sea and land larger and smaller, encircling +one another; there were two of land and three of water, which he turned +as with a lathe, each having its circumference equidistant every way +from the centre, so that no man could get to the island, for ships and +voyages were not as yet. He himself, being a god, found no difficulty +in making special arrangements for the centre island, bringing up two +springs of water from beneath the earth, one of warm water and the other +of cold, and making every variety of food to spring up abundantly from +the soil. He also begat and brought up five pairs of twin male children; +and dividing the island of Atlantis into ten portions, he gave to the +first-born of the eldest pair his mother's dwelling and the surrounding +allotment, which was the largest and best, and made him king over the +rest; the others he made princes, and gave them rule over many men, and +a large territory. And he named them all; the eldest, who was the first +king, he named Atlas, and after him the whole island and the ocean +were called Atlantic. To his twin brother, who was born after him, and +obtained as his lot the extremity of the island towards the pillars of +Heracles, facing the country which is now called the region of Gades in +that part of the world, he gave the name which in the Hellenic language +is Eumelus, in the language of the country which is named after him, +Gadeirus. Of the second pair of twins he called one Ampheres, and the +other Evaemon. To the elder of the third pair of twins he gave the name +Mneseus, and Autochthon to the one who followed him. Of the fourth pair +of twins he called the elder Elasippus, and the younger Mestor. And +of the fifth pair he gave to the elder the name of Azaes, and to the +younger that of Diaprepes. All these and their descendants for many +generations were the inhabitants and rulers of divers islands in the +open sea; and also, as has been already said, they held sway in our +direction over the country within the pillars as far as Egypt and +Tyrrhenia. Now Atlas had a numerous and honourable family, and they +retained the kingdom, the eldest son handing it on to his eldest for +many generations; and they had such an amount of wealth as was never +before possessed by kings and potentates, and is not likely ever to be +again, and they were furnished with everything which they needed, both +in the city and country. For because of the greatness of their empire +many things were brought to them from foreign countries, and the island +itself provided most of what was required by them for the uses of life. +In the first place, they dug out of the earth whatever was to be found +there, solid as well as fusile, and that which is now only a name and +was then something more than a name, orichalcum, was dug out of the +earth in many parts of the island, being more precious in those +days than anything except gold. There was an abundance of wood for +carpenter's work, and sufficient maintenance for tame and wild animals. +Moreover, there were a great number of elephants in the island; for as +there was provision for all other sorts of animals, both for those which +live in lakes and marshes and rivers, and also for those which live +in mountains and on plains, so there was for the animal which is the +largest and most voracious of all. Also whatever fragrant things there +now are in the earth, whether roots, or herbage, or woods, or essences +which distil from fruit and flower, grew and thrived in that land; also +the fruit which admits of cultivation, both the dry sort, which is given +us for nourishment and any other which we use for food--we call them +all by the common name of pulse, and the fruits having a hard rind, +affording drinks and meats and ointments, and good store of chestnuts +and the like, which furnish pleasure and amusement, and are fruits which +spoil with keeping, and the pleasant kinds of dessert, with which we +console ourselves after dinner, when we are tired of eating--all these +that sacred island which then beheld the light of the sun, brought forth +fair and wondrous and in infinite abundance. With such blessings the +earth freely furnished them; meanwhile they went on constructing their +temples and palaces and harbours and docks. And they arranged the whole +country in the following manner:-- + +First of all they bridged over the zones of sea which surrounded the +ancient metropolis, making a road to and from the royal palace. And at +the very beginning they built the palace in the habitation of the god +and of their ancestors, which they continued to ornament in successive +generations, every king surpassing the one who went before him to the +utmost of his power, until they made the building a marvel to behold for +size and for beauty. And beginning from the sea they bored a canal of +three hundred feet in width and one hundred feet in depth and fifty +stadia in length, which they carried through to the outermost zone, +making a passage from the sea up to this, which became a harbour, and +leaving an opening sufficient to enable the largest vessels to find +ingress. Moreover, they divided at the bridges the zones of land which +parted the zones of sea, leaving room for a single trireme to pass out +of one zone into another, and they covered over the channels so as +to leave a way underneath for the ships; for the banks were raised +considerably above the water. Now the largest of the zones into which a +passage was cut from the sea was three stadia in breadth, and the zone +of land which came next of equal breadth; but the next two zones, the +one of water, the other of land, were two stadia, and the one which +surrounded the central island was a stadium only in width. The island +in which the palace was situated had a diameter of five stadia. All +this including the zones and the bridge, which was the sixth part of a +stadium in width, they surrounded by a stone wall on every side, placing +towers and gates on the bridges where the sea passed in. The stone which +was used in the work they quarried from underneath the centre island, +and from underneath the zones, on the outer as well as the inner +side. One kind was white, another black, and a third red, and as they +quarried, they at the same time hollowed out double docks, having roofs +formed out of the native rock. Some of their buildings were simple, +but in others they put together different stones, varying the colour +to please the eye, and to be a natural source of delight. The entire +circuit of the wall, which went round the outermost zone, they covered +with a coating of brass, and the circuit of the next wall they coated +with tin, and the third, which encompassed the citadel, flashed with the +red light of orichalcum. The palaces in the interior of the citadel were +constructed on this wise:--In the centre was a holy temple dedicated to +Cleito and Poseidon, which remained inaccessible, and was surrounded +by an enclosure of gold; this was the spot where the family of the ten +princes first saw the light, and thither the people annually brought the +fruits of the earth in their season from all the ten portions, to be an +offering to each of the ten. Here was Poseidon's own temple which was a +stadium in length, and half a stadium in width, and of a proportionate +height, having a strange barbaric appearance. All the outside of the +temple, with the exception of the pinnacles, they covered with silver, +and the pinnacles with gold. In the interior of the temple the roof +was of ivory, curiously wrought everywhere with gold and silver and +orichalcum; and all the other parts, the walls and pillars and floor, +they coated with orichalcum. In the temple they placed statues of gold: +there was the god himself standing in a chariot--the charioteer of +six winged horses--and of such a size that he touched the roof of the +building with his head; around him there were a hundred Nereids riding +on dolphins, for such was thought to be the number of them by the men of +those days. There were also in the interior of the temple other images +which had been dedicated by private persons. And around the temple on +the outside were placed statues of gold of all the descendants of the +ten kings and of their wives, and there were many other great offerings +of kings and of private persons, coming both from the city itself and +from the foreign cities over which they held sway. There was an altar +too, which in size and workmanship corresponded to this magnificence, +and the palaces, in like manner, answered to the greatness of the +kingdom and the glory of the temple. + +In the next place, they had fountains, one of cold and another of hot +water, in gracious plenty flowing; and they were wonderfully adapted for +use by reason of the pleasantness and excellence of their waters. They +constructed buildings about them and planted suitable trees, also they +made cisterns, some open to the heaven, others roofed over, to be used +in winter as warm baths; there were the kings' baths, and the baths of +private persons, which were kept apart; and there were separate baths +for women, and for horses and cattle, and to each of them they gave as +much adornment as was suitable. Of the water which ran off they carried +some to the grove of Poseidon, where were growing all manner of trees of +wonderful height and beauty, owing to the excellence of the soil, while +the remainder was conveyed by aqueducts along the bridges to the outer +circles; and there were many temples built and dedicated to many gods; +also gardens and places of exercise, some for men, and others for horses +in both of the two islands formed by the zones; and in the centre of +the larger of the two there was set apart a race-course of a stadium in +width, and in length allowed to extend all round the island, for horses +to race in. Also there were guard-houses at intervals for the guards, +the more trusted of whom were appointed to keep watch in the lesser +zone, which was nearer the Acropolis; while the most trusted of all had +houses given them within the citadel, near the persons of the kings. The +docks were full of triremes and naval stores, and all things were quite +ready for use. Enough of the plan of the royal palace. + +Leaving the palace and passing out across the three harbours, you came +to a wall which began at the sea and went all round: this was everywhere +distant fifty stadia from the largest zone or harbour, and enclosed the +whole, the ends meeting at the mouth of the channel which led to the +sea. The entire area was densely crowded with habitations; and the +canal and the largest of the harbours were full of vessels and merchants +coming from all parts, who, from their numbers, kept up a multitudinous +sound of human voices, and din and clatter of all sorts night and day. + +I have described the city and the environs of the ancient palace nearly +in the words of Solon, and now I must endeavour to represent to you the +nature and arrangement of the rest of the land. The whole country was +said by him to be very lofty and precipitous on the side of the sea, +but the country immediately about and surrounding the city was a level +plain, itself surrounded by mountains which descended towards the +sea; it was smooth and even, and of an oblong shape, extending in one +direction three thousand stadia, but across the centre inland it was two +thousand stadia. This part of the island looked towards the south, and +was sheltered from the north. The surrounding mountains were celebrated +for their number and size and beauty, far beyond any which still exist, +having in them also many wealthy villages of country folk, and rivers, +and lakes, and meadows supplying food enough for every animal, wild or +tame, and much wood of various sorts, abundant for each and every kind +of work. + +I will now describe the plain, as it was fashioned by nature and by the +labours of many generations of kings through long ages. It was for the +most part rectangular and oblong, and where falling out of the straight +line followed the circular ditch. The depth, and width, and length of +this ditch were incredible, and gave the impression that a work of such +extent, in addition to so many others, could never have been artificial. +Nevertheless I must say what I was told. It was excavated to the depth +of a hundred feet, and its breadth was a stadium everywhere; it was +carried round the whole of the plain, and was ten thousand stadia in +length. It received the streams which came down from the mountains, and +winding round the plain and meeting at the city, was there let off into +the sea. Further inland, likewise, straight canals of a hundred feet +in width were cut from it through the plain, and again let off into the +ditch leading to the sea: these canals were at intervals of a hundred +stadia, and by them they brought down the wood from the mountains to the +city, and conveyed the fruits of the earth in ships, cutting transverse +passages from one canal into another, and to the city. Twice in the year +they gathered the fruits of the earth--in winter having the benefit of +the rains of heaven, and in summer the water which the land supplied by +introducing streams from the canals. + +As to the population, each of the lots in the plain had to find a leader +for the men who were fit for military service, and the size of a lot was +a square of ten stadia each way, and the total number of all the lots +was sixty thousand. And of the inhabitants of the mountains and of +the rest of the country there was also a vast multitude, which was +distributed among the lots and had leaders assigned to them according to +their districts and villages. The leader was required to furnish for the +war the sixth portion of a war-chariot, so as to make up a total of ten +thousand chariots; also two horses and riders for them, and a pair of +chariot-horses without a seat, accompanied by a horseman who could +fight on foot carrying a small shield, and having a charioteer who stood +behind the man-at-arms to guide the two horses; also, he was bound +to furnish two heavy-armed soldiers, two archers, two slingers, three +stone-shooters and three javelin-men, who were light-armed, and four +sailors to make up the complement of twelve hundred ships. Such was +the military order of the royal city--the order of the other nine +governments varied, and it would be wearisome to recount their several +differences. + +As to offices and honours, the following was the arrangement from the +first. Each of the ten kings in his own division and in his own city had +the absolute control of the citizens, and, in most cases, of the laws, +punishing and slaying whomsoever he would. Now the order of precedence +among them and their mutual relations were regulated by the commands +of Poseidon which the law had handed down. These were inscribed by the +first kings on a pillar of orichalcum, which was situated in the +middle of the island, at the temple of Poseidon, whither the kings were +gathered together every fifth and every sixth year alternately, thus +giving equal honour to the odd and to the even number. And when they +were gathered together they consulted about their common interests, and +enquired if any one had transgressed in anything, and passed judgment, +and before they passed judgment they gave their pledges to one another +on this wise:--There were bulls who had the range of the temple of +Poseidon; and the ten kings, being left alone in the temple, after they +had offered prayers to the god that they might capture the victim which +was acceptable to him, hunted the bulls, without weapons, but with +staves and nooses; and the bull which they caught they led up to the +pillar and cut its throat over the top of it so that the blood fell upon +the sacred inscription. Now on the pillar, besides the laws, there +was inscribed an oath invoking mighty curses on the disobedient. When +therefore, after slaying the bull in the accustomed manner, they had +burnt its limbs, they filled a bowl of wine and cast in a clot of blood +for each of them; the rest of the victim they put in the fire, after +having purified the column all round. Then they drew from the bowl in +golden cups, and pouring a libation on the fire, they swore that they +would judge according to the laws on the pillar, and would punish him +who in any point had already transgressed them, and that for the future +they would not, if they could help, offend against the writing on +the pillar, and would neither command others, nor obey any ruler who +commanded them, to act otherwise than according to the laws of their +father Poseidon. This was the prayer which each of them offered up +for himself and for his descendants, at the same time drinking and +dedicating the cup out of which he drank in the temple of the god; and +after they had supped and satisfied their needs, when darkness came +on, and the fire about the sacrifice was cool, all of them put on most +beautiful azure robes, and, sitting on the ground, at night, over the +embers of the sacrifices by which they had sworn, and extinguishing all +the fire about the temple, they received and gave judgment, if any of +them had an accusation to bring against any one; and when they had +given judgment, at daybreak they wrote down their sentences on a golden +tablet, and dedicated it together with their robes to be a memorial. + +There were many special laws affecting the several kings inscribed about +the temples, but the most important was the following: They were not +to take up arms against one another, and they were all to come to the +rescue if any one in any of their cities attempted to overthrow the +royal house; like their ancestors, they were to deliberate in common +about war and other matters, giving the supremacy to the descendants of +Atlas. And the king was not to have the power of life and death over any +of his kinsmen unless he had the assent of the majority of the ten. + +Such was the vast power which the god settled in the lost island of +Atlantis; and this he afterwards directed against our land for the +following reasons, as tradition tells: For many generations, as long as +the divine nature lasted in them, they were obedient to the laws, +and well-affectioned towards the god, whose seed they were; for they +possessed true and in every way great spirits, uniting gentleness with +wisdom in the various chances of life, and in their intercourse with one +another. They despised everything but virtue, caring little for their +present state of life, and thinking lightly of the possession of gold +and other property, which seemed only a burden to them; neither were +they intoxicated by luxury; nor did wealth deprive them of their +self-control; but they were sober, and saw clearly that all these goods +are increased by virtue and friendship with one another, whereas by too +great regard and respect for them, they are lost and friendship with +them. By such reflections and by the continuance in them of a divine +nature, the qualities which we have described grew and increased among +them; but when the divine portion began to fade away, and became diluted +too often and too much with the mortal admixture, and the human nature +got the upper hand, they then, being unable to bear their fortune, +behaved unseemly, and to him who had an eye to see grew visibly debased, +for they were losing the fairest of their precious gifts; but to those +who had no eye to see the true happiness, they appeared glorious and +blessed at the very time when they were full of avarice and unrighteous +power. Zeus, the god of gods, who rules according to law, and is able to +see into such things, perceiving that an honourable race was in a woeful +plight, and wanting to inflict punishment on them, that they might +be chastened and improve, collected all the gods into their most holy +habitation, which, being placed in the centre of the world, beholds +all created things. And when he had called them together, he spake as +follows--[*] + + * The rest of the Dialogue of Critias has been lost. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Critias, by Plato + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CRITIAS *** + +***** This file should be named 1571.txt or 1571.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/7/1571/ + +Produced by Sue Asscher + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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It +was designed to be the second part of a trilogy, which, like the other +great Platonic trilogy of the Sophist, Statesman, Philosopher, was never +completed. Timaeus had brought down the origin of the world to the +creation of man, and the dawn of history was now to succeed the philosophy +of nature. The Critias is also connected with the Republic. Plato, as he +has already told us (Tim.), intended to represent the ideal state engaged +in a patriotic conflict. This mythical conflict is prophetic or symbolical +of the struggle of Athens and Persia, perhaps in some degree also of the +wars of the Greeks and Carthaginians, in the same way that the Persian is +prefigured by the Trojan war to the mind of Herodotus, or as the narrative +of the first part of the Aeneid is intended by Virgil to foreshadow the +wars of Carthage and Rome. The small number of the primitive Athenian +citizens (20,000), 'which is about their present number' (Crit.), is +evidently designed to contrast with the myriads and barbaric array of the +Atlantic hosts. The passing remark in the Timaeus that Athens was left +alone in the struggle, in which she conquered and became the liberator of +Greece, is also an allusion to the later history. Hence we may safely +conclude that the entire narrative is due to the imagination of Plato, who +has used the name of Solon and introduced the Egyptian priests to give +verisimilitude to his story. To the Greek such a tale, like that of the +earth-born men, would have seemed perfectly accordant with the character of +his mythology, and not more marvellous than the wonders of the East +narrated by Herodotus and others: he might have been deceived into +believing it. But it appears strange that later ages should have been +imposed upon by the fiction. As many attempts have been made to find the +great island of Atlantis, as to discover the country of the lost tribes. +Without regard to the description of Plato, and without a suspicion that +the whole narrative is a fabrication, interpreters have looked for the spot +in every part of the globe, America, Arabia Felix, Ceylon, Palestine, +Sardinia, Sweden. + +Timaeus concludes with a prayer that his words may be acceptable to the God +whom he has revealed, and Critias, whose turn follows, begs that a larger +measure of indulgence may be conceded to him, because he has to speak of +men whom we know and not of gods whom we do not know. Socrates readily +grants his request, and anticipating that Hermocrates will make a similar +petition, extends by anticipation a like indulgence to him. + +Critias returns to his story, professing only to repeat what Solon was told +by the priests. The war of which he was about to speak had occurred 9000 +years ago. One of the combatants was the city of Athens, the other was the +great island of Atlantis. Critias proposes to speak of these rival powers +first of all, giving to Athens the precedence; the various tribes of Greeks +and barbarians who took part in the war will be dealt with as they +successively appear on the scene. + +In the beginning the gods agreed to divide the earth by lot in a friendly +manner, and when they had made the allotment they settled their several +countries, and were the shepherds or rather the pilots of mankind, whom +they guided by persuasion, and not by force. Hephaestus and Athena, +brother and sister deities, in mind and art united, obtained as their lot +the land of Attica, a land suited to the growth of virtue and wisdom; and +there they settled a brave race of children of the soil, and taught them +how to order the state. Some of their names, such as Cecrops, Erechtheus, +Erichthonius, and Erysichthon, were preserved and adopted in later times, +but the memory of their deeds has passed away; for there have since been +many deluges, and the remnant who survived in the mountains were ignorant +of the art of writing, and during many generations were wholly devoted to +acquiring the means of life...And the armed image of the goddess which was +dedicated by the ancient Athenians is an evidence to other ages that men +and women had in those days, as they ought always to have, common virtues +and pursuits. There were various classes of citizens, including +handicraftsmen and husbandmen and a superior class of warriors who dwelt +apart, and were educated, and had all things in common, like our guardians. +Attica in those days extended southwards to the Isthmus, and inland to the +heights of Parnes and Cithaeron, and between them and the sea included the +district of Oropus. The country was then, as what remains of it still is, +the most fertile in the world, and abounded in rich plains and pastures. +But in the course of ages much of the soil was washed away and disappeared +in the deep sea. And the inhabitants of this fair land were endowed with +intelligence and the love of beauty. + +The Acropolis of the ancient Athens extended to the Ilissus and Eridanus, +and included the Pnyx, and the Lycabettus on the opposite side to the Pnyx, +having a level surface and deep soil. The side of the hill was inhabited +by craftsmen and husbandmen; and the warriors dwelt by themselves on the +summit, around the temples of Hephaestus and Athene, in an enclosure which +was like the garden of a single house. In winter they retired into houses +on the north of the hill, in which they held their syssitia. These were +modest dwellings, which they bequeathed unaltered to their children's +children. In summer time the south side was inhabited by them, and then +they left their gardens and dining-halls. In the midst of the Acropolis +was a fountain, which gave an abundant supply of cool water in summer and +warm in winter; of this there are still some traces. They were careful to +preserve the number of fighting men and women at 20,000, which is equal to +that of the present military force. And so they passed their lives as +guardians of the citizens and leaders of the Hellenes. They were a just +and famous race, celebrated for their beauty and virtue all over Europe and +Asia. + +And now I will speak to you of their adversaries, but first I ought to +explain that the Greek names were given to Solon in an Egyptian form, and +he enquired their meaning and translated them. His manuscript was left +with my grandfather Dropides, and is now in my possession...In the division +of the earth Poseidon obtained as his portion the island of Atlantis, and +there he begat children whose mother was a mortal. Towards the sea and in +the centre of the island there was a very fair and fertile plain, and near +the centre, about fifty stadia from the plain, there was a low mountain in +which dwelt a man named Evenor and his wife Leucippe, and their daughter +Cleito, of whom Poseidon became enamoured. He to secure his love enclosed +the mountain with rings or zones varying in size, two of land and three of +sea, which his divine power readily enabled him to excavate and fashion, +and, as there was no shipping in those days, no man could get into the +place. To the interior island he conveyed under the earth springs of water +hot and cold, and supplied the land with all things needed for the life of +man. Here he begat a family consisting of five pairs of twin male +children. The eldest was Atlas, and him he made king of the centre island, +while to his twin brother, Eumelus, or Gadeirus, he assigned that part of +the country which was nearest the Straits. The other brothers he made +chiefs over the rest of the island. And their kingdom extended as far as +Egypt and Tyrrhenia. Now Atlas had a fair posterity, and great treasures +derived from mines--among them that precious metal orichalcum; and there +was abundance of wood, and herds of elephants, and pastures for animals of +all kinds, and fragrant herbs, and grasses, and trees bearing fruit. These +they used, and employed themselves in constructing their temples, and +palaces, and harbours, and docks, in the following manner:--First, they +bridged over the zones of sea, and made a way to and from the royal palace +which they built in the centre island. This ancient palace was ornamented +by successive generations; and they dug a canal which passed through the +zones of land from the island to the sea. The zones of earth were +surrounded by walls made of stone of divers colours, black and white and +red, which they sometimes intermingled for the sake of ornament; and as +they quarried they hollowed out beneath the edges of the zones double docks +having roofs of rock. The outermost of the walls was coated with brass, +the second with tin, and the third, which was the wall of the citadel, +flashed with the red light of orichalcum. In the interior of the citadel +was a holy temple, dedicated to Cleito and Poseidon, and surrounded by an +enclosure of gold, and there was Poseidon's own temple, which was covered +with silver, and the pinnacles with gold. The roof was of ivory, adorned +with gold and silver and orichalcum, and the rest of the interior was lined +with orichalcum. Within was an image of the god standing in a chariot +drawn by six winged horses, and touching the roof with his head; around him +were a hundred Nereids, riding on dolphins. Outside the temple were placed +golden statues of all the descendants of the ten kings and of their wives; +there was an altar too, and there were palaces, corresponding to the +greatness and glory both of the kingdom and of the temple. + +Also there were fountains of hot and cold water, and suitable buildings +surrounding them, and trees, and there were baths both of the kings and of +private individuals, and separate baths for women, and also for cattle. +The water from the baths was carried to the grove of Poseidon, and by +aqueducts over the bridges to the outer circles. And there were temples in +the zones, and in the larger of the two there was a racecourse for horses, +which ran all round the island. The guards were distributed in the zones +according to the trust reposed in them; the most trusted of them were +stationed in the citadel. The docks were full of triremes and stores. The +land between the harbour and the sea was surrounded by a wall, and was +crowded with dwellings, and the harbour and canal resounded with the din of +human voices. + +The plain around the city was highly cultivated and sheltered from the +north by mountains; it was oblong, and where falling out of the straight +line followed the circular ditch, which was of an incredible depth. This +depth received the streams which came down from the mountains, as well as +the canals of the interior, and found a way to the sea. The entire country +was divided into sixty thousand lots, each of which was a square of ten +stadia; and the owner of a lot was bound to furnish the sixth part of a +war-chariot, so as to make up ten thousand chariots, two horses and riders +upon them, a pair of chariot-horses without a seat, and an attendant and +charioteer, two hoplites, two archers, two slingers, three stone-shooters, +three javelin-men, and four sailors to make up the complement of twelve +hundred ships. + +Each of the ten kings was absolute in his own city and kingdom. The +relations of the different governments to one another were determined by +the injunctions of Poseidon, which had been inscribed by the first kings on +a column of orichalcum in the temple of Poseidon, at which the kings and +princes gathered together and held a festival every fifth and every sixth +year alternately. Around the temple ranged the bulls of Poseidon, one of +which the ten kings caught and sacrificed, shedding the blood of the victim +over the inscription, and vowing not to transgress the laws of their father +Poseidon. When night came, they put on azure robes and gave judgment +against offenders. The most important of their laws related to their +dealings with one another. They were not to take up arms against one +another, and were to come to the rescue if any of their brethren were +attacked. They were to deliberate in common about war, and the king was +not to have the power of life and death over his kinsmen, unless he had the +assent of the majority. + +For many generations, as tradition tells, the people of Atlantis were +obedient to the laws and to the gods, and practised gentleness and wisdom +in their intercourse with one another. They knew that they could only have +the true use of riches by not caring about them. But gradually the divine +portion of their souls became diluted with too much of the mortal +admixture, and they began to degenerate, though to the outward eye they +appeared glorious as ever at the very time when they were filled with all +iniquity. The all-seeing Zeus, wanting to punish them, held a council of +the gods, and when he had called them together, he spoke as follows:-- + +No one knew better than Plato how to invent 'a noble lie.' Observe (1) the +innocent declaration of Socrates, that the truth of the story is a great +advantage: (2) the manner in which traditional names and indications of +geography are intermingled ('Why, here be truths!'): (3) the extreme +minuteness with which the numbers are given, as in the Old Epic poetry: +(4) the ingenious reason assigned for the Greek names occurring in the +Egyptian tale: (5) the remark that the armed statue of Athena indicated +the common warrior life of men and women: (6) the particularity with which +the third deluge before that of Deucalion is affirmed to have been the +great destruction: (7) the happy guess that great geological changes have +been effected by water: (8) the indulgence of the prejudice against +sailing beyond the Columns, and the popular belief of the shallowness of +the ocean in that part: (9) the confession that the depth of the ditch in +the Island of Atlantis was not to be believed, and 'yet he could only +repeat what he had heard', compared with the statement made in an earlier +passage that Poseidon, being a God, found no difficulty in contriving the +water-supply of the centre island: (10) the mention of the old rivalry of +Poseidon and Athene, and the creation of the first inhabitants out of the +soil. Plato here, as elsewhere, ingeniously gives the impression that he +is telling the truth which mythology had corrupted. + +The world, like a child, has readily, and for the most part unhesitatingly, +accepted the tale of the Island of Atlantis. In modern times we hardly +seek for traces of the submerged continent; but even Mr. Grote is inclined +to believe in the Egyptian poem of Solon of which there is no evidence in +antiquity; while others, like Martin, discuss the Egyptian origin of the +legend, or like M. de Humboldt, whom he quotes, are disposed to find in it +a vestige of a widely-spread tradition. Others, adopting a different vein +of reflection, regard the Island of Atlantis as the anticipation of a still +greater island--the Continent of America. 'The tale,' says M. Martin, +'rests upon the authority of the Egyptian priests; and the Egyptian priests +took a pleasure in deceiving the Greeks.' He never appears to suspect that +there is a greater deceiver or magician than the Egyptian priests, that is +to say, Plato himself, from the dominion of whose genius the critic and +natural philosopher of modern times are not wholly emancipated. Although +worthless in respect of any result which can be attained by them, +discussions like those of M. Martin (Timee) have an interest of their own, +and may be compared to the similar discussions regarding the Lost Tribes (2 +Esdras), as showing how the chance word of some poet or philosopher has +given birth to endless religious or historical enquiries. (See +Introduction to the Timaeus.) + +In contrasting the small Greek city numbering about twenty thousand +inhabitants with the barbaric greatness of the island of Atlantis, Plato +probably intended to show that a state, such as the ideal Athens, was +invincible, though matched against any number of opponents (cp. Rep.). +Even in a great empire there might be a degree of virtue and justice, such +as the Greeks believed to have existed under the sway of the first Persian +kings. But all such empires were liable to degenerate, and soon incurred +the anger of the gods. Their Oriental wealth, and splendour of gold and +silver, and variety of colours, seemed also to be at variance with the +simplicity of Greek notions. In the island of Atlantis, Plato is +describing a sort of Babylonian or Egyptian city, to which he opposes the +frugal life of the true Hellenic citizen. It is remarkable that in his +brief sketch of them, he idealizes the husbandmen 'who are lovers of honour +and true husbandmen,' as well as the warriors who are his sole concern in +the Republic; and that though he speaks of the common pursuits of men and +women, he says nothing of the community of wives and children. + +It is singular that Plato should have prefixed the most detested of +Athenian names to this dialogue, and even more singular that he should have +put into the mouth of Socrates a panegyric on him (Tim.). Yet we know that +his character was accounted infamous by Xenophon, and that the mere +acquaintance with him was made a subject of accusation against Socrates. +We can only infer that in this, and perhaps in some other cases, Plato's +characters have no reference to the actual facts. The desire to do honour +to his own family, and the connection with Solon, may have suggested the +introduction of his name. Why the Critias was never completed, whether +from accident, or from advancing age, or from a sense of the artistic +difficulty of the design, cannot be determined. + + + +CRITIAS. + + +PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE: Critias, Hermocrates, Timaeus, Socrates. + + +TIMAEUS: How thankful I am, Socrates, that I have arrived at last, and, +like a weary traveller after a long journey, may be at rest! And I pray +the being who always was of old, and has now been by me revealed, to grant +that my words may endure in so far as they have been spoken truly and +acceptably to him; but if unintentionally I have said anything wrong, I +pray that he will impose upon me a just retribution, and the just +retribution of him who errs is that he should be set right. Wishing, then, +to speak truly in future concerning the generation of the gods, I pray him +to give me knowledge, which of all medicines is the most perfect and best. +And now having offered my prayer I deliver up the argument to Critias, who +is to speak next according to our agreement. (Tim.) + +CRITIAS: And I, Timaeus, accept the trust, and as you at first said that +you were going to speak of high matters, and begged that some forbearance +might be shown to you, I too ask the same or greater forbearance for what I +am about to say. And although I very well know that my request may appear +to be somewhat ambitious and discourteous, I must make it nevertheless. +For will any man of sense deny that you have spoken well? I can only +attempt to show that I ought to have more indulgence than you, because my +theme is more difficult; and I shall argue that to seem to speak well of +the gods to men is far easier than to speak well of men to men: for the +inexperience and utter ignorance of his hearers about any subject is a +great assistance to him who has to speak of it, and we know how ignorant we +are concerning the gods. But I should like to make my meaning clearer, if +you will follow me. All that is said by any of us can only be imitation +and representation. For if we consider the likenesses which painters make +of bodies divine and heavenly, and the different degrees of gratification +with which the eye of the spectator receives them, we shall see that we are +satisfied with the artist who is able in any degree to imitate the earth +and its mountains, and the rivers, and the woods, and the universe, and the +things that are and move therein, and further, that knowing nothing precise +about such matters, we do not examine or analyze the painting; all that is +required is a sort of indistinct and deceptive mode of shadowing them +forth. But when a person endeavours to paint the human form we are quick +at finding out defects, and our familiar knowledge makes us severe judges +of any one who does not render every point of similarity. And we may +observe the same thing to happen in discourse; we are satisfied with a +picture of divine and heavenly things which has very little likeness to +them; but we are more precise in our criticism of mortal and human things. +Wherefore if at the moment of speaking I cannot suitably express my +meaning, you must excuse me, considering that to form approved likenesses +of human things is the reverse of easy. This is what I want to suggest to +you, and at the same time to beg, Socrates, that I may have not less, but +more indulgence conceded to me in what I am about to say. Which favour, if +I am right in asking, I hope that you will be ready to grant. + +SOCRATES: Certainly, Critias, we will grant your request, and we will +grant the same by anticipation to Hermocrates, as well as to you and +Timaeus; for I have no doubt that when his turn comes a little while hence, +he will make the same request which you have made. In order, then, that he +may provide himself with a fresh beginning, and not be compelled to say the +same things over again, let him understand that the indulgence is already +extended by anticipation to him. And now, friend Critias, I will announce +to you the judgment of the theatre. They are of opinion that the last +performer was wonderfully successful, and that you will need a great deal +of indulgence before you will be able to take his place. + +HERMOCRATES: The warning, Socrates, which you have addressed to him, I +must also take to myself. But remember, Critias, that faint heart never +yet raised a trophy; and therefore you must go and attack the argument like +a man. First invoke Apollo and the Muses, and then let us hear you sound +the praises and show forth the virtues of your ancient citizens. + +CRITIAS: Friend Hermocrates, you, who are stationed last and have another +in front of you, have not lost heart as yet; the gravity of the situation +will soon be revealed to you; meanwhile I accept your exhortations and +encouragements. But besides the gods and goddesses whom you have +mentioned, I would specially invoke Mnemosyne; for all the important part +of my discourse is dependent on her favour, and if I can recollect and +recite enough of what was said by the priests and brought hither by Solon, +I doubt not that I shall satisfy the requirements of this theatre. And +now, making no more excuses, I will proceed. + +Let me begin by observing first of all, that nine thousand was the sum of +years which had elapsed since the war which was said to have taken place +between those who dwelt outside the pillars of Heracles and all who dwelt +within them; this war I am going to describe. Of the combatants on the one +side, the city of Athens was reported to have been the leader and to have +fought out the war; the combatants on the other side were commanded by the +kings of Atlantis, which, as I was saying, was an island greater in extent +than Libya and Asia, and when afterwards sunk by an earthquake, became an +impassable barrier of mud to voyagers sailing from hence to any part of the +ocean. The progress of the history will unfold the various nations of +barbarians and families of Hellenes which then existed, as they +successively appear on the scene; but I must describe first of all the +Athenians of that day, and their enemies who fought with them, and then the +respective powers and governments of the two kingdoms. Let us give the +precedence to Athens. + +In the days of old, the gods had the whole earth distributed among them by +allotment (Cp. Polit.) There was no quarrelling; for you cannot rightly +suppose that the gods did not know what was proper for each of them to +have, or, knowing this, that they would seek to procure for themselves by +contention that which more properly belonged to others. They all of them +by just apportionment obtained what they wanted, and peopled their own +districts; and when they had peopled them they tended us, their nurselings +and possessions, as shepherds tend their flocks, excepting only that they +did not use blows or bodily force, as shepherds do, but governed us like +pilots from the stern of the vessel, which is an easy way of guiding +animals, holding our souls by the rudder of persuasion according to their +own pleasure;--thus did they guide all mortal creatures. Now different +gods had their allotments in different places which they set in order. +Hephaestus and Athene, who were brother and sister, and sprang from the +same father, having a common nature, and being united also in the love of +philosophy and art, both obtained as their common portion this land, which +was naturally adapted for wisdom and virtue; and there they implanted brave +children of the soil, and put into their minds the order of government; +their names are preserved, but their actions have disappeared by reason of +the destruction of those who received the tradition, and the lapse of ages. +For when there were any survivors, as I have already said, they were men +who dwelt in the mountains; and they were ignorant of the art of writing, +and had heard only the names of the chiefs of the land, but very little +about their actions. The names they were willing enough to give to their +children; but the virtues and the laws of their predecessors, they knew +only by obscure traditions; and as they themselves and their children +lacked for many generations the necessaries of life, they directed their +attention to the supply of their wants, and of them they conversed, to the +neglect of events that had happened in times long past; for mythology and +the enquiry into antiquity are first introduced into cities when they begin +to have leisure (Cp. Arist. Metaphys.), and when they see that the +necessaries of life have already been provided, but not before. And this +is the reason why the names of the ancients have been preserved to us and +not their actions. This I infer because Solon said that the priests in +their narrative of that war mentioned most of the names which are recorded +prior to the time of Theseus, such as Cecrops, and Erechtheus, and +Erichthonius, and Erysichthon, and the names of the women in like manner. +Moreover, since military pursuits were then common to men and women, the +men of those days in accordance with the custom of the time set up a figure +and image of the goddess in full armour, to be a testimony that all animals +which associate together, male as well as female, may, if they please, +practise in common the virtue which belongs to them without distinction of +sex. + +Now the country was inhabited in those days by various classes of +citizens;--there were artisans, and there were husbandmen, and there was +also a warrior class originally set apart by divine men. The latter dwelt +by themselves, and had all things suitable for nurture and education; +neither had any of them anything of their own, but they regarded all that +they had as common property; nor did they claim to receive of the other +citizens anything more than their necessary food. And they practised all +the pursuits which we yesterday described as those of our imaginary +guardians. Concerning the country the Egyptian priests said what is not +only probable but manifestly true, that the boundaries were in those days +fixed by the Isthmus, and that in the direction of the continent they +extended as far as the heights of Cithaeron and Parnes; the boundary line +came down in the direction of the sea, having the district of Oropus on the +right, and with the river Asopus as the limit on the left. The land was +the best in the world, and was therefore able in those days to support a +vast army, raised from the surrounding people. Even the remnant of Attica +which now exists may compare with any region in the world for the variety +and excellence of its fruits and the suitableness of its pastures to every +sort of animal, which proves what I am saying; but in those days the +country was fair as now and yielded far more abundant produce. How shall I +establish my words? and what part of it can be truly called a remnant of +the land that then was? The whole country is only a long promontory +extending far into the sea away from the rest of the continent, while the +surrounding basin of the sea is everywhere deep in the neighbourhood of the +shore. Many great deluges have taken place during the nine thousand years, +for that is the number of years which have elapsed since the time of which +I am speaking; and during all this time and through so many changes, there +has never been any considerable accumulation of the soil coming down from +the mountains, as in other places, but the earth has fallen away all round +and sunk out of sight. The consequence is, that in comparison of what then +was, there are remaining only the bones of the wasted body, as they may be +called, as in the case of small islands, all the richer and softer parts of +the soil having fallen away, and the mere skeleton of the land being left. +But in the primitive state of the country, its mountains were high hills +covered with soil, and the plains, as they are termed by us, of Phelleus +were full of rich earth, and there was abundance of wood in the mountains. +Of this last the traces still remain, for although some of the mountains +now only afford sustenance to bees, not so very long ago there were still +to be seen roofs of timber cut from trees growing there, which were of a +size sufficient to cover the largest houses; and there were many other high +trees, cultivated by man and bearing abundance of food for cattle. +Moreover, the land reaped the benefit of the annual rainfall, not as now +losing the water which flows off the bare earth into the sea, but, having +an abundant supply in all places, and receiving it into herself and +treasuring it up in the close clay soil, it let off into the hollows the +streams which it absorbed from the heights, providing everywhere abundant +fountains and rivers, of which there may still be observed sacred memorials +in places where fountains once existed; and this proves the truth of what I +am saying. + +Such was the natural state of the country, which was cultivated, as we may +well believe, by true husbandmen, who made husbandry their business, and +were lovers of honour, and of a noble nature, and had a soil the best in +the world, and abundance of water, and in the heaven above an excellently +attempered climate. Now the city in those days was arranged on this wise. +In the first place the Acropolis was not as now. For the fact is that a +single night of excessive rain washed away the earth and laid bare the +rock; at the same time there were earthquakes, and then occurred the +extraordinary inundation, which was the third before the great destruction +of Deucalion. But in primitive times the hill of the Acropolis extended to +the Eridanus and Ilissus, and included the Pnyx on one side, and the +Lycabettus as a boundary on the opposite side to the Pnyx, and was all well +covered with soil, and level at the top, except in one or two places. +Outside the Acropolis and under the sides of the hill there dwelt artisans, +and such of the husbandmen as were tilling the ground near; the warrior +class dwelt by themselves around the temples of Athene and Hephaestus at +the summit, which moreover they had enclosed with a single fence like the +garden of a single house. On the north side they had dwellings in common +and had erected halls for dining in winter, and had all the buildings which +they needed for their common life, besides temples, but there was no +adorning of them with gold and silver, for they made no use of these for +any purpose; they took a middle course between meanness and ostentation, +and built modest houses in which they and their children's children grew +old, and they handed them down to others who were like themselves, always +the same. But in summer-time they left their gardens and gymnasia and +dining halls, and then the southern side of the hill was made use of by +them for the same purpose. Where the Acropolis now is there was a +fountain, which was choked by the earthquake, and has left only the few +small streams which still exist in the vicinity, but in those days the +fountain gave an abundant supply of water for all and of suitable +temperature in summer and in winter. This is how they dwelt, being the +guardians of their own citizens and the leaders of the Hellenes, who were +their willing followers. And they took care to preserve the same number of +men and women through all time, being so many as were required for warlike +purposes, then as now--that is to say, about twenty thousand. Such were +the ancient Athenians, and after this manner they righteously administered +their own land and the rest of Hellas; they were renowned all over Europe +and Asia for the beauty of their persons and for the many virtues of their +souls, and of all men who lived in those days they were the most +illustrious. And next, if I have not forgotten what I heard when I was a +child, I will impart to you the character and origin of their adversaries. +For friends should not keep their stories to themselves, but have them in +common. + +Yet, before proceeding further in the narrative, I ought to warn you, that +you must not be surprised if you should perhaps hear Hellenic names given +to foreigners. I will tell you the reason of this: Solon, who was +intending to use the tale for his poem, enquired into the meaning of the +names, and found that the early Egyptians in writing them down had +translated them into their own language, and he recovered the meaning of +the several names and when copying them out again translated them into our +language. My great-grandfather, Dropides, had the original writing, which +is still in my possession, and was carefully studied by me when I was a +child. Therefore if you hear names such as are used in this country, you +must not be surprised, for I have told how they came to be introduced. The +tale, which was of great length, began as follows:-- + +I have before remarked in speaking of the allotments of the gods, that they +distributed the whole earth into portions differing in extent, and made for +themselves temples and instituted sacrifices. And Poseidon, receiving for +his lot the island of Atlantis, begat children by a mortal woman, and +settled them in a part of the island, which I will describe. Looking +towards the sea, but in the centre of the whole island, there was a plain +which is said to have been the fairest of all plains and very fertile. +Near the plain again, and also in the centre of the island at a distance of +about fifty stadia, there was a mountain not very high on any side. In +this mountain there dwelt one of the earth-born primeval men of that +country, whose name was Evenor, and he had a wife named Leucippe, and they +had an only daughter who was called Cleito. The maiden had already reached +womanhood, when her father and mother died; Poseidon fell in love with her +and had intercourse with her, and breaking the ground, inclosed the hill in +which she dwelt all round, making alternate zones of sea and land larger +and smaller, encircling one another; there were two of land and three of +water, which he turned as with a lathe, each having its circumference +equidistant every way from the centre, so that no man could get to the +island, for ships and voyages were not as yet. He himself, being a god, +found no difficulty in making special arrangements for the centre island, +bringing up two springs of water from beneath the earth, one of warm water +and the other of cold, and making every variety of food to spring up +abundantly from the soil. He also begat and brought up five pairs of twin +male children; and dividing the island of Atlantis into ten portions, he +gave to the first-born of the eldest pair his mother's dwelling and the +surrounding allotment, which was the largest and best, and made him king +over the rest; the others he made princes, and gave them rule over many +men, and a large territory. And he named them all; the eldest, who was the +first king, he named Atlas, and after him the whole island and the ocean +were called Atlantic. To his twin brother, who was born after him, and +obtained as his lot the extremity of the island towards the pillars of +Heracles, facing the country which is now called the region of Gades in +that part of the world, he gave the name which in the Hellenic language is +Eumelus, in the language of the country which is named after him, Gadeirus. +Of the second pair of twins he called one Ampheres, and the other Evaemon. +To the elder of the third pair of twins he gave the name Mneseus, and +Autochthon to the one who followed him. Of the fourth pair of twins he +called the elder Elasippus, and the younger Mestor. And of the fifth pair +he gave to the elder the name of Azaes, and to the younger that of +Diaprepes. All these and their descendants for many generations were the +inhabitants and rulers of divers islands in the open sea; and also, as has +been already said, they held sway in our direction over the country within +the pillars as far as Egypt and Tyrrhenia. Now Atlas had a numerous and +honourable family, and they retained the kingdom, the eldest son handing it +on to his eldest for many generations; and they had such an amount of +wealth as was never before possessed by kings and potentates, and is not +likely ever to be again, and they were furnished with everything which they +needed, both in the city and country. For because of the greatness of +their empire many things were brought to them from foreign countries, and +the island itself provided most of what was required by them for the uses +of life. In the first place, they dug out of the earth whatever was to be +found there, solid as well as fusile, and that which is now only a name and +was then something more than a name, orichalcum, was dug out of the earth +in many parts of the island, being more precious in those days than +anything except gold. There was an abundance of wood for carpenter's work, +and sufficient maintenance for tame and wild animals. Moreover, there were +a great number of elephants in the island; for as there was provision for +all other sorts of animals, both for those which live in lakes and marshes +and rivers, and also for those which live in mountains and on plains, so +there was for the animal which is the largest and most voracious of all. +Also whatever fragrant things there now are in the earth, whether roots, or +herbage, or woods, or essences which distil from fruit and flower, grew and +thrived in that land; also the fruit which admits of cultivation, both the +dry sort, which is given us for nourishment and any other which we use for +food--we call them all by the common name of pulse, and the fruits having a +hard rind, affording drinks and meats and ointments, and good store of +chestnuts and the like, which furnish pleasure and amusement, and are +fruits which spoil with keeping, and the pleasant kinds of dessert, with +which we console ourselves after dinner, when we are tired of eating--all +these that sacred island which then beheld the light of the sun, brought +forth fair and wondrous and in infinite abundance. With such blessings the +earth freely furnished them; meanwhile they went on constructing their +temples and palaces and harbours and docks. And they arranged the whole +country in the following manner:-- + +First of all they bridged over the zones of sea which surrounded the +ancient metropolis, making a road to and from the royal palace. And at the +very beginning they built the palace in the habitation of the god and of +their ancestors, which they continued to ornament in successive +generations, every king surpassing the one who went before him to the +utmost of his power, until they made the building a marvel to behold for +size and for beauty. And beginning from the sea they bored a canal of +three hundred feet in width and one hundred feet in depth and fifty stadia +in length, which they carried through to the outermost zone, making a +passage from the sea up to this, which became a harbour, and leaving an +opening sufficient to enable the largest vessels to find ingress. +Moreover, they divided at the bridges the zones of land which parted the +zones of sea, leaving room for a single trireme to pass out of one zone +into another, and they covered over the channels so as to leave a way +underneath for the ships; for the banks were raised considerably above the +water. Now the largest of the zones into which a passage was cut from the +sea was three stadia in breadth, and the zone of land which came next of +equal breadth; but the next two zones, the one of water, the other of land, +were two stadia, and the one which surrounded the central island was a +stadium only in width. The island in which the palace was situated had a +diameter of five stadia. All this including the zones and the bridge, +which was the sixth part of a stadium in width, they surrounded by a stone +wall on every side, placing towers and gates on the bridges where the sea +passed in. The stone which was used in the work they quarried from +underneath the centre island, and from underneath the zones, on the outer +as well as the inner side. One kind was white, another black, and a third +red, and as they quarried, they at the same time hollowed out double docks, +having roofs formed out of the native rock. Some of their buildings were +simple, but in others they put together different stones, varying the +colour to please the eye, and to be a natural source of delight. The +entire circuit of the wall, which went round the outermost zone, they +covered with a coating of brass, and the circuit of the next wall they +coated with tin, and the third, which encompassed the citadel, flashed with +the red light of orichalcum. The palaces in the interior of the citadel +were constructed on this wise:--In the centre was a holy temple dedicated +to Cleito and Poseidon, which remained inaccessible, and was surrounded by +an enclosure of gold; this was the spot where the family of the ten princes +first saw the light, and thither the people annually brought the fruits of +the earth in their season from all the ten portions, to be an offering to +each of the ten. Here was Poseidon's own temple which was a stadium in +length, and half a stadium in width, and of a proportionate height, having +a strange barbaric appearance. All the outside of the temple, with the +exception of the pinnacles, they covered with silver, and the pinnacles +with gold. In the interior of the temple the roof was of ivory, curiously +wrought everywhere with gold and silver and orichalcum; and all the other +parts, the walls and pillars and floor, they coated with orichalcum. In +the temple they placed statues of gold: there was the god himself standing +in a chariot--the charioteer of six winged horses--and of such a size that +he touched the roof of the building with his head; around him there were a +hundred Nereids riding on dolphins, for such was thought to be the number +of them by the men of those days. There were also in the interior of the +temple other images which had been dedicated by private persons. And +around the temple on the outside were placed statues of gold of all the +descendants of the ten kings and of their wives, and there were many other +great offerings of kings and of private persons, coming both from the city +itself and from the foreign cities over which they held sway. There was an +altar too, which in size and workmanship corresponded to this magnificence, +and the palaces, in like manner, answered to the greatness of the kingdom +and the glory of the temple. + +In the next place, they had fountains, one of cold and another of hot +water, in gracious plenty flowing; and they were wonderfully adapted for +use by reason of the pleasantness and excellence of their waters. They +constructed buildings about them and planted suitable trees, also they made +cisterns, some open to the heaven, others roofed over, to be used in winter +as warm baths; there were the kings' baths, and the baths of private +persons, which were kept apart; and there were separate baths for women, +and for horses and cattle, and to each of them they gave as much adornment +as was suitable. Of the water which ran off they carried some to the grove +of Poseidon, where were growing all manner of trees of wonderful height and +beauty, owing to the excellence of the soil, while the remainder was +conveyed by aqueducts along the bridges to the outer circles; and there +were many temples built and dedicated to many gods; also gardens and places +of exercise, some for men, and others for horses in both of the two islands +formed by the zones; and in the centre of the larger of the two there was +set apart a race-course of a stadium in width, and in length allowed to +extend all round the island, for horses to race in. Also there were guard- +houses at intervals for the guards, the more trusted of whom were appointed +to keep watch in the lesser zone, which was nearer the Acropolis; while the +most trusted of all had houses given them within the citadel, near the +persons of the kings. The docks were full of triremes and naval stores, +and all things were quite ready for use. Enough of the plan of the royal +palace. + +Leaving the palace and passing out across the three harbours, you came to a +wall which began at the sea and went all round: this was everywhere +distant fifty stadia from the largest zone or harbour, and enclosed the +whole, the ends meeting at the mouth of the channel which led to the sea. +The entire area was densely crowded with habitations; and the canal and the +largest of the harbours were full of vessels and merchants coming from all +parts, who, from their numbers, kept up a multitudinous sound of human +voices, and din and clatter of all sorts night and day. + +I have described the city and the environs of the ancient palace nearly in +the words of Solon, and now I must endeavour to represent to you the nature +and arrangement of the rest of the land. The whole country was said by him +to be very lofty and precipitous on the side of the sea, but the country +immediately about and surrounding the city was a level plain, itself +surrounded by mountains which descended towards the sea; it was smooth and +even, and of an oblong shape, extending in one direction three thousand +stadia, but across the centre inland it was two thousand stadia. This part +of the island looked towards the south, and was sheltered from the north. +The surrounding mountains were celebrated for their number and size and +beauty, far beyond any which still exist, having in them also many wealthy +villages of country folk, and rivers, and lakes, and meadows supplying food +enough for every animal, wild or tame, and much wood of various sorts, +abundant for each and every kind of work. + +I will now describe the plain, as it was fashioned by nature and by the +labours of many generations of kings through long ages. It was for the +most part rectangular and oblong, and where falling out of the straight +line followed the circular ditch. The depth, and width, and length of this +ditch were incredible, and gave the impression that a work of such extent, +in addition to so many others, could never have been artificial. +Nevertheless I must say what I was told. It was excavated to the depth of +a hundred feet, and its breadth was a stadium everywhere; it was carried +round the whole of the plain, and was ten thousand stadia in length. It +received the streams which came down from the mountains, and winding round +the plain and meeting at the city, was there let off into the sea. Further +inland, likewise, straight canals of a hundred feet in width were cut from +it through the plain, and again let off into the ditch leading to the sea: +these canals were at intervals of a hundred stadia, and by them they +brought down the wood from the mountains to the city, and conveyed the +fruits of the earth in ships, cutting transverse passages from one canal +into another, and to the city. Twice in the year they gathered the fruits +of the earth--in winter having the benefit of the rains of heaven, and in +summer the water which the land supplied by introducing streams from the +canals. + +As to the population, each of the lots in the plain had to find a leader +for the men who were fit for military service, and the size of a lot was a +square of ten stadia each way, and the total number of all the lots was +sixty thousand. And of the inhabitants of the mountains and of the rest of +the country there was also a vast multitude, which was distributed among +the lots and had leaders assigned to them according to their districts and +villages. The leader was required to furnish for the war the sixth portion +of a war-chariot, so as to make up a total of ten thousand chariots; also +two horses and riders for them, and a pair of chariot-horses without a +seat, accompanied by a horseman who could fight on foot carrying a small +shield, and having a charioteer who stood behind the man-at-arms to guide +the two horses; also, he was bound to furnish two heavy-armed soldiers, two +archers, two slingers, three stone-shooters and three javelin-men, who were +light-armed, and four sailors to make up the complement of twelve hundred +ships. Such was the military order of the royal city--the order of the +other nine governments varied, and it would be wearisome to recount their +several differences. + +As to offices and honours, the following was the arrangement from the +first. Each of the ten kings in his own division and in his own city had +the absolute control of the citizens, and, in most cases, of the laws, +punishing and slaying whomsoever he would. Now the order of precedence +among them and their mutual relations were regulated by the commands of +Poseidon which the law had handed down. These were inscribed by the first +kings on a pillar of orichalcum, which was situated in the middle of the +island, at the temple of Poseidon, whither the kings were gathered together +every fifth and every sixth year alternately, thus giving equal honour to +the odd and to the even number. And when they were gathered together they +consulted about their common interests, and enquired if any one had +transgressed in anything, and passed judgment, and before they passed +judgment they gave their pledges to one another on this wise:--There were +bulls who had the range of the temple of Poseidon; and the ten kings, being +left alone in the temple, after they had offered prayers to the god that +they might capture the victim which was acceptable to him, hunted the +bulls, without weapons, but with staves and nooses; and the bull which they +caught they led up to the pillar and cut its throat over the top of it so +that the blood fell upon the sacred inscription. Now on the pillar, +besides the laws, there was inscribed an oath invoking mighty curses on the +disobedient. When therefore, after slaying the bull in the accustomed +manner, they had burnt its limbs, they filled a bowl of wine and cast in a +clot of blood for each of them; the rest of the victim they put in the +fire, after having purified the column all round. Then they drew from the +bowl in golden cups, and pouring a libation on the fire, they swore that +they would judge according to the laws on the pillar, and would punish him +who in any point had already transgressed them, and that for the future +they would not, if they could help, offend against the writing on the +pillar, and would neither command others, nor obey any ruler who commanded +them, to act otherwise than according to the laws of their father Poseidon. +This was the prayer which each of them offered up for himself and for his +descendants, at the same time drinking and dedicating the cup out of which +he drank in the temple of the god; and after they had supped and satisfied +their needs, when darkness came on, and the fire about the sacrifice was +cool, all of them put on most beautiful azure robes, and, sitting on the +ground, at night, over the embers of the sacrifices by which they had +sworn, and extinguishing all the fire about the temple, they received and +gave judgment, if any of them had an accusation to bring against any one; +and when they had given judgment, at daybreak they wrote down their +sentences on a golden tablet, and dedicated it together with their robes to +be a memorial. + +There were many special laws affecting the several kings inscribed about +the temples, but the most important was the following: They were not to +take up arms against one another, and they were all to come to the rescue +if any one in any of their cities attempted to overthrow the royal house; +like their ancestors, they were to deliberate in common about war and other +matters, giving the supremacy to the descendants of Atlas. And the king +was not to have the power of life and death over any of his kinsmen unless +he had the assent of the majority of the ten. + +Such was the vast power which the god settled in the lost island of +Atlantis; and this he afterwards directed against our land for the +following reasons, as tradition tells: For many generations, as long as +the divine nature lasted in them, they were obedient to the laws, and +well-affectioned towards the god, whose seed they were; for they possessed +true and in every way great spirits, uniting gentleness with wisdom in the +various chances of life, and in their intercourse with one another. They +despised everything but virtue, caring little for their present state of +life, and thinking lightly of the possession of gold and other property, +which seemed only a burden to them; neither were they intoxicated by +luxury; nor did wealth deprive them of their self-control; but they were +sober, and saw clearly that all these goods are increased by virtue and +friendship with one another, whereas by too great regard and respect for +them, they are lost and friendship with them. By such reflections and by +the continuance in them of a divine nature, the qualities which we have +described grew and increased among them; but when the divine portion began +to fade away, and became diluted too often and too much with the mortal +admixture, and the human nature got the upper hand, they then, being unable +to bear their fortune, behaved unseemly, and to him who had an eye to see +grew visibly debased, for they were losing the fairest of their precious +gifts; but to those who had no eye to see the true happiness, they appeared +glorious and blessed at the very time when they were full of avarice and +unrighteous power. Zeus, the god of gods, who rules according to law, and +is able to see into such things, perceiving that an honourable race was in +a woeful plight, and wanting to inflict punishment on them, that they might +be chastened and improve, collected all the gods into their most holy +habitation, which, being placed in the centre of the world, beholds all +created things. And when he had called them together, he spake as +follows--* + +* The rest of the Dialogue of Critias has been lost. + + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of Critias, by Plato + diff --git a/old/criti10.zip b/old/criti10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ec89ff8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/criti10.zip |