Critias by Plato

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About this eBook

Author Plato, 428? BCE-348? BCE
Translator Jowett, Benjamin, 1817-1893
Title Critias
Note Reading ease score: 49.8 (College-level). Difficult to read.
Credits Produced by Sue Asscher, and David Widger
Summary "Critias" by Plato is a philosophical dialogue written in the late 4th century BC. This text serves as a fragment of a larger trilogy and explores themes related to the legendary island of Atlantis and the contrasting character of ancient Athens. The dialogue serves as a mythological narrative, highlighting philosophical reflections on society, governance, and morality through a tale of idealized conflict between Athens and a powerful, decadent Atlantis. In "Critias," the titular character recounts a story he claims was handed down from the ancient Athenian statesman Solon, who learned about Atlantis from Egyptian priests. The narrative describes the magnificent island of Atlantis, its divine origins, and its eventual moral decline. Critias details the governance of Atlantis, which is divided into ten kingdoms, and emphasizes the initial virtues of the Atlanteans. However, as greed and moral decay set in, they ultimately provoke the wrath of the gods, leading to their catastrophic downfall. The dialogue underscores the themes of virtue, the ideal state, and the consequences of moral failure while contrasting the glorious past of both Atlantis and Athens against their eventual decline. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class PA: Language and Literatures: Classical Languages and Literature
Subject Classical literature
Category Text
EBook-No. 1571
Release Date
Most Recently Updated Jan 16, 2013
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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