"Plato, ambitious to elaborate and adorn the subject of the lost Atlantis, as if it were the soil of a fair estate unoccupied, but appropriately his by virtue of some kinship with Solon, began the work by laying out great porches, enclosures, and courtyards, such as no story, tale, or poesy ever had before. But he was late in beginning, and ended his life before his work. Therefore the greater our delight in what he actually wrote, the greater is our distress in view of what he left undone. For as the Olympieium in the city of Athens, so the tale of the lost Atlantis in the wisdom of Plato is the only one among many beautiful works to remain unfinished." (Plutarch, Parallel Lives Solon 32.1-2).

Account of the Egyptian priest  Origin of this account

According to Plato's account it was Solon, the Athenian statesman and poet whom History says lived 600 years after the Trojan War, the one who brought from Egypt the story of Atlantis. The very old Egyptian priest who talked with Solon was not at all impressed by Greek ancient stories, such as the one referring to Phoroneus as the first man, or the legend of the Flood of Deucalion ₁, for these stories, according to his perspective were all but ancient. 

Periodical destruction of mankind

This Egyptian priest knew that mankind is periodically destroyed, either by fire or water, or by lesser means. And behind the story of Phaethon ₃, the Egyptian says, lies the shifting of the celestial bodies around the earth, which cause destruction by fire on its surface at long intervals. When this happens those living in dry areas or dwelling in mountains suffer destruction more than those living near rivers or the sea. On the other hand, when the world is flooded those living in mountains are saved, but those populating the cities near the sea are swept into it by the streams. 

The Egyptians often spared

Things having this nature, those living by the Nile were spared when the world was destroyed by fire, and when it was destroyed by water they were also spared because rain is scarce in Egypt, the water welling up always from below. In this way, says the Egyptian priest, memories of ancient times could be preserved in this country while all records were destroyed elsewhere. And while in other countries the periodical destruction caused irreparable losses, in Egypt it was possible to keep records of very ancient times. 

Greeks lost memory

This is the reason why, says the priest, the Greeks could just remember the Flood of Deucalion ₁, ignoring that many other floods had previously occurred. And in the same way they had lost the memory of the Athens which existed 8000 years before the Trojan War (which is today said to have taken place about 1200 BC). 

Atlantis defeated in war

According to this Egyptian priest, that old Athens resisted the invasion of the people from Atlantis, an island larger than Libya (name for the whole of northern Africa except Egypt) which lay in front of the mouth of the so called "pillars of Heracles" (today called "straits of Gibraltar"). The island Atlantis was ruled by a confederation of kings which held power also in surrounding islands. The people of Atlantis had occupied Libya as far as Egypt and southwestern Europe, as far as Tuscany in Italy. And after doing that they gathered a host in order to make an attempt to extend their dominion to both Egypt and Greece. However, this powerful army was defeated by the Athenians. 

Atlantis and Athens destroyed

At a later time, earthquakes and floods destroyed the two opponents, for Athens was swallowed up by the earth, and the island of Atlantis was likewise swallowed up by the sea, vanishing for ever. This is why, the Egyptian says, the ocean at the spot where Atlantis was, became impossible to sail across, being blocked up by the mud created by the large island when it sank. 

When the gods divided among themselves different regions of the earth, the island of Atlantis was allotted to Poseidon, who settled there the children he had begotten of a mortal woman. 

Poseidon marries and changes topography of the island

In the middle of the island there was a fertile plain, and in its centre there stood a mountain where the autochthons (offspring of the soil) Evenor ₄ and Leucippe ₆ lived with their daughter Cleito ₂. When they died, Poseidon married this young woman, and proceeded to alter the landscape, making the hill impregnable. And so he carved circular belts, three of sea and two of land around the hill, isolating it completely, for at that time sailing was unknown. He also brought up springs of warm and cold water, producing all kinds of food. 

The ten kings of Atlantis

Poseidon and Cleito ₂ had five pairs of twins, who, along with their descendants, ruled the ten provinces into which Poseidon had divided Atlantis. The island and the ocean were called after Poseidon's first-born, Atlas, who was also king over his brothers. The brothers and the descendants of their ten royal houses ruled over many other islands, and also over the Mediterranean peoples living west of Egypt and Tuscany. 

Kings assembled

The ten kings, who governed each his own province, are said to have assembled every fifth year and every sixth year, administering the public affairs and delivering judgement according to the law that Poseidon handed down to them, and according to records inscribed in a pillar of orichalcum. 

Wealth of Atlantis

The people of Atlantis possessed an immense wealth, for they had at their disposal all kinds of supplies in endless abundance: metals, timber, animals (both tame and wild), including elephants, a great variety of fruits and vegetables, and many other things. Receiving all these products, they promptly furnished their temples, harbors, and the rest of the country. Around their metropolis, which was at about 10 kilometers (ca. 6 miles) from the sea, they built a circular system of channels and bridges with towers and gates, and circular walls of stone which they coated with brass, tin, and orichalcum. 

Atlantis defeated

Atlantis was a flourishing realm. And yet, in spite of all the power deriving from wealth and advanced technologies, mighty fleets and large armies, Atlantis was defeated in war by the Athens of those remote times. Also, for all the knowledge the people of Atlantis had at their disposal, they were not able to prepare themselves against the natural catastrophe that affected them, nor could they avoid utter destruction. It has also been said that the people of Atlantis degenerated, for they were unable to live a happy life, having become spiritually ugly. For this reason, Zeus and the gods, perceiving how evil this race had become, inflicted punishment upon them and let them be swallowed up by the sea. 

It has been explained that the names of the ATLANTIANS are Greek because of the translations done by Solon. The names he received from the Egyptians had already been translated by them into their own tongue and Solon, investigating the meaning of the names, rendered them into Greek.

Atlas

Eumelus ₈

Atlas, who was Poseidon's first born was appointed to be king over his brothers, who in turn ruled other provinces of Atlantis, which were ten in number. The island and the ocean around it were named after Atlas . 

The name of Eumelus ₈ was, in Atlantian language, Gadeirus. He ruled that part of Atlantis which was near the "pillars of Heracles" (Gibraltar) 

Ampheres

Evaemon ₃

Mneseus

Autochthon

Elasippus ₂

Mestor ₄

Azaes

Diaprepes

Pla.Tim.24E-25D; Pla.Cri.108Eff.