Sir, You report (November 16) yet another “discovery” of Atlantis.

I believe Atlantis is a myth inspired by the partial flooding of a desert island in the year of Plato’s birth.

Plato was born in 427BC, some five years into the Peloponnesian War. In The History of the Peloponnesian War Thucydides records that this year was characterised by frequent earthquakes which were accompanied by huge waves at sea.

He writes that a small Athenian island called Atalanta was struck by such a wave, which swept away fortifications. At Orobiac in Euboea a more powerful flood drowned many and left parts of the settlement submerged.

Far more probable than any drowned kingdom is that Plato was told of these floods as a child, and subsequently drew on them as inspiration for his noble fantasy.

Yours faithfully,
DAVID JONES,
Flat 2,
1 Menai Place, E3 2BF.
pookie6718@hotmail.com
November 20.

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