|
''Kritias'' seuraa ajallisesti Platonin ''[[Timaios (dialogi)|Timaiosta]]'', joka oli samojen henkilöiden dialogi: kummassakin esiintyvät [[Sokrates]], [[Timaios Lokrilainen]], [[Hermokrates]] ja Kritias. Näistä kaikki ovat historiallisia henkilöitä, paitsi Timaioksen olemassaolosta ei ole dialogien ulkopuolisia todisteita. ''Kritias'' muodostaa trilogian yhdessä ''Timaioksen'' ja ''[[Hermokrates (dialogi)|Hermokrateen]]'' kanssa,<ref>Eberz (1910).</ref> joskin viimeksi mainittu on kuitenkin vain hypoteettinen dialogi, jota ei todennäköisesti koskaan kirjoitettukaan. Näin ''Kritias'' jäi keskeneräiseksi.
<!--
==Ancient Athens and Atlantis==
According to Critias, in ancient times, the Earth was divided among the gods by allotment. The gods treated the humans in their districts much as shepherds treat sheep -- tending and guiding them like nurselings and possessions. They did this not by force, but by persuasion.
In those days, the areas which are now the islands of [[Greece]] were high hills covered in good soil. But a number of great deluges came (including the [[deluge (mythology) |global flood]] of [[Deucalion]]), and because no soil washed down from the mountains to replace the lost soil, the soil in that land was stripped away, causing much of the area to sink out of sight, and the islands that remained to become the "bones of a dead body."
[[Athens]] in those days, however, was very different. The land was rich and water was brought in from underground [[spring (water)|spring]]s (which were later destroyed by [[earthquake]]). He describes the civilization of Athens at that time as ideal: pursuing all virtue, living in moderation, and excelling in their work.
He then moves on to describe the origins of [[Atlantis]]. He said that Atlantis was allotted to [[Poseidon]]. Poseidon fell in love with a mortal girl named Cleito, and she bore him a number of children. Poseidon's first-born son was [[Atlas]], who inherited the kingdom, and passed it onto his firstborn for many generations.
Critias then goes into a great deal of detail in describing the island of [[Atlantis]] and the [[Temple to Poseidon and Cleito]] on the island, and refers to the legendary metal [[orichalcum]].
Critias then reiterates the remarkable virtue of the Atlanteans, saying:
:"For many generations, as long as the divine nature lasted in them, they were obedient to the laws, and well-affectioned towards the god, whose seed they were; for they possessed true and in every way great spirits, uniting gentleness with wisdom in the various chances of life, and in their intercourse with one another. They despised everything but virtue, caring little for their present state of life, and thinking lightly of the possession of gold and other property, which seemed only a burden to them; neither were they intoxicated by luxury; nor did wealth deprive them of their self-control; but they were sober, and saw clearly that all these goods are increased by virtue and friendship with one another.However, he then recounts that over time nother, whereas by too great regard and respect for them, they are lost and friendship with them." the Atlanteans became corrupt as:"when the divine portion began to fade away, and became diluted too often and too much with the mortal admixture, and the human nature got the upper hand, they then, being unable to bear their fortune, behaved unseemly, and to him who had an eye to see grew visibly debased, for they were losing the fairest of their precious gifts; but to those who had no eye to see the true happiness, they appeared glorious and blessed at the very time when they were full of avarice and unrighteous power."
Critias then says that [[Zeus]], the god of gods, seeing the corruption of the Atlanteans, determined to chastise them. Zeus begins to speak; but what he says, and everything that follows in the Critias, remains non extant.
-->
== Viitteet ==
|
