The most common understanding of Atlantis is that it first appears in Ancient Greek literature in the writings of Plato. However, according to a particular theory, it actually appears in the Odyssey, written several centuries prior to Plato’s time. When we examine the evidence closely, can we really identify Atlantis in the Odyssey, or is this just a case of researchers getting carried away by weak and generic connections?
The supposed Atlantis in the Odyssey
The two source texts for the legend of Atlantis are the Critias and the Timaeus. Plato wrote both of these in the middle of the fourth century BC. The Odyssey, written by Homer in the seventh century BC, predates these dialogues by about three hundred years. If we could actually identify the legendary Atlantis in Homer’s poem, that would demonstrate that Plato did not invent it as an allegory.
According to this theory, Plato’s Atlantis is the same as the civilization of the Phaeacians in Homer’s Odyssey. The Phaeacians were the wealthy and relatively advanced naval civilization that helped Odysseus finally find his way home. They have a very prominent part to play in the Odyssey, so if we could identify them as Atlantis, that would be quite significant indeed.
In the Odyssey, their island is called Scheria. This would therefore be another name for the island of Atlantis. Similarly, “Phaeacians” would be another name for the “Atlanteans.”
Evidence connecting Atlantis to the Phaeacians of Scheria
What evidence is there that connects Atlantis to the legendary Phaeacians of Scheria? For one thing, it must be admitted that the basic profiles of both civilizations are quite similar. Both Atlantis and the Phaeacians are said to be affluent and relatively advanced naval civilizations.
Furthermore, their primary place of origin is an island rather than simply a coastal area of the mainland (like in the case of the Phoenicians, for example). Plato also noted the moral uprightness of the Atlanteans just like Homer emphasized the kindness and hospitality of the Phaeacians of Scheria.
However, the connections are much more profound. The locations of both civilizations likewise need to be considered. The traditional interpretation of Plato’s words places Atlantis in the Atlantic Ocean. In like manner, Strabo believed that Scheria was located in that same general area.
According to Plato, Atlantis had walls of brass and orichalcum, while Homer claimed there was a palace with walls of bronze on Scheria. Plato also mentioned Atlantis had a harvest twice annually. Homer refers to the vaguely similar concept of fruit growing all year round on Scheria.
Another major point of similarity is related to the kings of Scheria and the kings of Atlantis. Plato described the kingdom of Atlantis as being divided into ten regions, while Homer maintained the Phaeacians had thirteen kings. Both the kings of Atlantis and those of Scheria were said to have descended from Poseidon.
Undoubtedly, there are certain indisputable similarities between Plato’s Atlantis and the Phaeacians of Homer’s Odyssey, but, ultimately, does our theory that Atlantis and Scheria were actually one and the same stand up to scrutiny?
Was Scheria really Atlantis?
Despite how convincing this theory might seem at first glance, it is also problematic. For one thing, it turns out that the basic profiles of the civilizations are not as alike as they initially seem. While they are both naval civilizations, Plato’s Atlantis is politically powerful in a way that Homer’s Phaeacians are not. There is no hint of the Phaeacians being conquerors who threatened the nations of the Mediterranean region.
As for their wealth and the walls of precious metals, this is a very generic connection that could apply to countless other cultures of legend and history. Bi-annual harvests are also seen in descriptions of other legendary places, such as the land of the Hyperboreans and the Avalon of the Arthurian legends, and, in fact, Homer never did claim that the Phaeacians had a bi-annual harvest after all.
The fact that the kings of Scheria were supposedly descendants of Poseidon might seem to be a strikingly specific claim. In reality though, this is not the case. Numerous rulers from all over the Mediterranean, including Lebanon, Egypt, and Thessaly, claimed descent from Poseidon. It was actually a very common association. The background attributed to Alcinous the king of Scheria in the Odyssey bears no resemblance to Plato’s description of how Poseidon’s children were established in Atlantis.
The connection to the Atlantic Ocean is likewise problematic, as the placement of Atlantis in the particular ocean is merely a singular viewpoint among many. This also applies to Strabo’s belief that Scheria was outside the Mediterranean. In reality, it was likely Corfu, right off the mainland of Greece.
In conclusion, the connections between the Phaeacians of Scheria in the Odyssey and the Atlantis of Plato’s dialogues are obviously mostly generic. While by no means a terrible theory, it lacks anything truly substantial to back it up.
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