Since the time of antiquity, humans have searched for the fabled lost continent of Atlantis. This legendary utopian continent of wealth and beauty has been the Holy Grail for scientists, explorers, academics and fortune seekers. The philosopher Plato's account of Atlantis is the source of these searches that have spanned recorded time; his status as one of the greatest thinkers in history gives the story of Atlantis validity beyond a mere myth. Where would the continent lie? How did it disappear? What are some of the past theories of the continent's story? What are some of today's theories? This special program from A&E seeks to answer these questions and will take you along on a search for the lost continent. The Search for Atlantis would be useful for classes on World History, Ancient History, Greek Mythology, Science and Technology, Anthropology, Archeology, Cultural History and Geography. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Objectives: Students will explore the legend of Atlantis and the various theories surrounding the legend. They will examine the differences between myth, legend and facts, and how a culture uses myths and legends to define its society.

• Abyss
• Advocate
• Cartography
• Citadel
• Concentric
• Deduce
• Deviation
• Diaspora
• Dubious
• Galvanize
• Genre
• Guru
• Idyllic
• Mentor
• Prestige
• Sage
• Séance
• Unorthodox
• Vengeance

1. The legend of Atlantis has endured for thousands of years and captivated the interest of scholars and laypersons alike. What are the origins of the myth of Atlantis? Why has this myth endured and interested people for so long?

2. Atlantians supposedly lived a utopian lifestyle until they became “humanized.” Discuss the humanization of the Atlantians and how it might have ended their utopian existence.

3. While many believe Atlantis existed, there is still no concrete evidence that it ever did. Could the legend of Atlantis be a parable with a moral message?

4. Why are scholars and archeologists so eager to find Atlantis or prove that it did exist?

5. Discuss the differences between legends, myths and facts.

6. Archeologists are scholars whose work seeks to uncover the past, figuratively and literally. How do archeologists go about this task? Why are their discoveries and research so important to us?

7. What are or were some of the theories of where Atlantis was located? What supports these theories, or, discredits them.

8. Discuss the importance of the city-state Athens in ancient history. What is the legacy of Athens?

9. Where is the first written account of the existence of Atlantis? How does the importance of this philosopher's work give credence to the myth of Atlantis?

10. Socrates was the teacher and mentor of Plato. What is a mentor? How do mentors shape their students? Who would you consider to be a mentor in your life? Why?

11. Who was Solon? What was his importance in establishing a democracy?

12. After Plato's death, none of his students showed any interest in the story of Atlantis. What rekindled interest in Atlantis?

13. Why was Christopher Columbus so eager to embark on his voyages?

14. Discuss 19th century writer Jules Verne's contribution to Atlantology.

15. Discuss Ignatius Donnelly's contribution to the American Atlantis craze of the late 19th century.

16. What was the Theosophical Society? Who founded it? What is the society's role in Atlantis history?

17. Madame Blavatsky, a 19th century spiritualist, had her own theories about Atlantis. How did her theories differ from those of Ignatius Donnelly?

18. How did Atlantis become a part of Nazi ideology?

19. Discuss Hollywood's versions of Atlantis.

20. What are some of the modern theories of Atlantis?

1. Many ancient cultures’ first forms of writing used pictographs. Write a story using your own language of pictographs.

2. Imagine that you are an archeologist from the future and you discover artifacts from our time and culture. Create a profile or theory of our culture from your discoveries.

3. The art of map making is cartography. Practice the art of cartography by creating a map of your hometown or neighborhood.

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Primary Sources

• Plato Many great and wonderful deeds are recorded of your state in our histories. But one of them exceeds all the rest in greatness and valour. For these histories tell of a mighty power which unprovoked made an expedition against the whole of Europe and Asia, and to which your city put an end. This power came forth out of the Atlantic Ocean, for in those days the Atlantic was navigable; and there was an island situated in front of the straits which are by you called the Pillars of Heracles; the island was larger than Libya and Asia put together, and was the way to other islands, and from these you might pass to the whole of the opposite continent which surrounded the true ocean; for this sea which is within the Straits of Heracles is only a harbour, having a narrow entrance, but that other is a real sea, and the surrounding land may be most truly called a boundless continent. Now in this island of Atlantis there was a great and wonderful empire which had rule over the whole island and several others, and over parts of the continent, and, furthermore, the men of Atlantis had subjected the parts of Libya within the columns of Heracles as far as Egypt, and of Europe as far as Tyrrhenia. This vast power, gathered into one, endeavoured to subdue at a blow our country and yours and the whole of the region within the straits; and then, Solon, your country shone forth, in the excellence of her virtue and strength, among all mankind. She was pre-eminent in courage and military skill, and was the leader of the Hellenes. And when the rest fell off from her, being compelled to stand alone, after having undergone the very extremity of danger, she defeated and triumphed over the invaders, and preserved from slavery those who were not yet subjugated, and generously liberated all the rest of us who dwell within the pillars. But afterwards there occurred violent earthquakes and floods; and in a single day and night of misfortune all your warlike men in a body sank into the earth, and the island of Atlantis in like manner disappeared in the depths of the sea. For which reason the sea in those parts is impassable and impenetrable, because there is a shoal of mud in the way; and this was caused by the subsidence of the island.