ATLANTIS
The Lost City of Atlantis is one of the most recognizable notions from the ancient Greek world.
The idea of Atlantis: an ancient, almost prehistoric technologically advanced island lost to the depths of the sea, has captivated the world for centuries. Maritime archaeological discoveries are attributed to Atlantis and searches for the lost city are widely publicized. For centuries Atlantis has been considered everything from myth to history to a vast conspiracy of archaeological subterfuge when in fact it’s none of those things… but the truth is much more interesting.
In this special three week series Liv breaks down the ancient sourcing on the story of Atlantis and speaks with archaeologists to provide listeners with in depth knowledge of the lost city of Atlantis both in terms of archaeological facts and ancient sources, and how modern notions of Atlantis and similar ideas harm the study of ancient history and archaeology.
Part 1:
Deconstructing Atlantis: Finding Atlantis in the Depths of Plato’s Imagination
The story of Atlantis has fascinated the world for centuries... But how many of us know where the story came from, or what is actually included in the original source? Episode one of Deconstructing Atlantis dives into the story of Atlantis as it exists in the Timaeus and Critias.
Listen on Apple Podcast, or Spotify
Conversation:
From the Known to the Unknown, Atlantis vs. Mediterranean Archaeology w/ Flint Dibble
Liv speaks with researcher Flint Dibble all about the archaeology of the Mediterranean, what we know about Plato's Atlantis, and more importantly: what we know about Athens from the Bronze Age and earlier! Twitter threads mentioned in the episode: Atlantis in current pop culture, the dangers of Atlantis "lore", erotic vases.
Listen on Apple Podcast, or Spotify
Part Two:
What Makes a Myth? Plato’s Allegorical Atlantis
We've heard the original source for Atlantis, but why is it that Plato's Timaeus and Critias can't be termed "myths"? If it isn't a myth, how do we know that there isn't some history behind it? This episode details what we do know about Plato's Atlantis and what that proves.
Listen on Apple Podcast, or Spotify
Conversation:
Deus Ex Alien, Ancient Realities vs. Pseudoarchaeology w/ David S. Anderson
Liv speaks with archaeologist David S. Anderson about the concept, and harm, of pseudoarchaeology. Why it matters to promote false notions of alien intervention and the study of the very real ancient people of the world is much more important.
Listen on Apple Podcast, or Spotify
BONUS!
Kassandra Meets Poseidon, Atlantis in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey w/ Kira Jones
Assassin's Creed Odyssey is known for its accuracy... so where did it get Atlantis? Liv speaks with returning guest Dr. Kira Jones all about the world of Assassin's Creed Atlantis. Spoilers for all of AC Odyssey, particularly the Atlantis DLC, obviously.
Listen on Apple Podcast, or Spotify
Part Three:
Platonic Allegory Meets Bronze Age Reality Meets Dangerous Conspiracy
Just because Plato's Atlantis was never intended to convey history doesn't meant it didn't have some historical inspiration in the form of a Bronze Age natural disaster... Plus: how did Atlantis become what it is today and where do these dangerous ideas come from?
Listen on Apple Podcast, or Spotify
Conversation:
The Conspiracy & Conspirituality of Atlantis w/ Steph Halmhofer
Liv speaks with archaeologist Steph Halmhofer about conspiracy and conspirituality in archaeology and pseudoarchaeology, Atlantis and its dangerous development into what it is today, and more.
CW/TW: brief mention of Canadian Residential Schools and recent and ongoing discovery of graves.
Listen on Apple Podcast, or Spotify
BONUS:
But What About Milo?! Disney’s Atlantis The Lost Empire w/ Leesa Charlotte
Just because the "search" for Atlantis is supremely dangerous and problematic doesn't mean we can't continue to love Milo and his rag tag team! Liv tells Leesa Charlotte of Sweetbitter and Cult America all about the truths and lies behind Disney's Atlantis.
Listen on Apple Podcast, or Spotify
Q&A:
Why Isn't it a Myth? & What Makes Atlantis What It is
Liv answers listener questions about Atlantis, and reads all your comments and observations about this messy, messy non-mythological idea.
Listen on Apple Podcast or Spotify
Conversations:
Getting Trapped in Plato's Web... Timaeus, Atlantis, & Hesiodic Myth w/ Kaitlyn Boulding
We're going back to Plato and his Timaeus with Kaitlyn Boulding and it's absolutely fascinating. More context on Plato's work, on his story of Atlantis, and even how he connects with and mimics Hesiod.
Listen on Apple Podcast or Spotify
Further Reading and Sources
Plato’s Timaeus and Critias, quotes translated by Benjamin Jowett
A Brief History of Atlantis: Plato’s Ideal State by Stephen P. Kershaw (includes alternate translation of Plato);
PDF: Truth, Lies, and History in Plato's Timaeus and Critias by Thomas K Johansen, 1998.
Listen to the episode on the myth of the Great Flood and Deucalion and Pyrrha here.
Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions. Special podcast artwork by Sara Richard.