Lost Continent of Atlantis, 1665

Lost Continent of Atlantis, 1665

Athanasius Kircher's map of Atlantis, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean from Mundus Subterraneus, 1665 edition. The map is oriented with south at the top. The story of the lost continent of Atlantis starts in 355 BC with the Greek philosopher Plato. In his book, Timaeus, a character named Kritias tells an account of Atlantis that has been in his family for generations about a powerful empire located to the west of the Pillars of Hercules (Straight of Gibraltar) on an island in the Atlantic Ocean. The capital city of Atlantis was a marvel of architecture and engineering. The city was composed of a series of concentric walls and canals. At the very center was a hill, and on top of the hill a temple to Poseidon. Inside was a gold statue of the God of the Sea showing him driving six winged horses. About 9000 years before the time of Plato, after the people of Atlantis became corrupt and greedy, the gods decided to destroy them. A violent earthquake shook the land, giant waves rolled over the shores, and the island sank into the sea, never to be seen again.

Album / LOC/Science Source

Model: No - Property: No
Rights questions?

4800 x 3180 px | 43.7 MB

40.6 x 26.9 cm | 16.0 x 10.6 in (300 dpi)