Over 11,000 years ago there existed
an island nation located in the middle of the Atlantic ocean populated by a
noble and powerful race. The people of this land possessed great wealth thanks
to the natural resources found throughout their island. The island was a center
for trade and commerce. The rulers of this land held sway over the people and
land of their own island and well into Europe and Africa.
This was the island of Atlantis.
Atlantis was the domain of Poseidon, god of the sea.
When Poseidon fell in love with a mortal woman, Cleito, he created a dwelling
at the top of a hill near the middle of the island and surrounded the dwelling
with rings of water and land to protect her.
Cleito gave birth to five sets of twin boys who became
the first rulers of Atlantis. The island was divided among the brothers with
the eldest, Atlas, first King of Atlantis, being given control over the central
hill and surrounding areas.
At the top of the central hill, a temple was built to
honor Poseidon which housed a giant gold statue of Poseidon riding a chariot
pulled by winged horses. It was here that the rulers of Atlantis would come to
discuss laws, pass judgments, and pay tribute to Poseidon..
To facilitate travel and trade, a water canal was cut
through of the rings of land and water running south for 5.5 miles (~9 km) to
the sea.
The city of Atlantis sat just outside the outer ring
of water and spread across the plain covering a circle of 11 miles (1.7 km).
This was a densely populated area where the majority of the population lived.
Beyond the city lay a fertile plain 330 miles (530 km)
long and 110 miles (190 km) wide surrounded by another canal used to collect
water from the rivers and streams of the mountains. The climate was such that
two harvests were possible each year. One in the winter fed by the rains and
one in the summer fed by irrigation from the canal.
Surrounding the plain to the north
were mountains which soared to the skies. Villages, lakes, rivers, and meadows
dotted the mountains.
Besides the harvests, the island provided all kinds of
herbs, fruits, and nuts. An abundance of animals, including elephants, roamed
the island.
For generations the Atlanteans lived simple, virtuous
lives. But slowly they began to change. Greed and power began to corrupt them.
When Zeus saw the immorality of the Atlanteans he gathered the other gods to
determine a suitable punishment.
Soon, in one violent surge it was gone. The island of
Atlantis, its people, and its memory were swallowed by the sea.
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