After ancient Athens repelled the large army of Atlantis, the story takes a sudden turn towards catastrophe. Due to abnormal earthquakes and floods, the warriors of Athens sank into the ground, and the island of Atlantis disappeared beneath the sea.

Critias notices the strange consistency between this Solon tradition and the ideal state that Socrates spoke of the day before. Recalling memories from his childhood, he prepares to retell the city and its citizens depicted in the myth as the true ancient Athens.

Dialogue Text

Critias (Continued): "However, in later times, abnormal earthquakes and floods occurred, and a terrible disaster lasting one day and one night struck. At that time, the warriors who were with you all sank into the ground, and the island of Atlantis also sank beneath the sea and disappeared. Therefore, even now, it is impossible to navigate or explore those waters because there is very shallow mud caused by the sinking of the island."

Critias (Continued) The above is a concise summary of what the ancient Critias, as recounted by Solon to Socrates, said. By the way, when you were talking about the state and its people yesterday, I was surprised and remembered what I am saying now. I realized that much of what Solon told us aligns perfectly with your account, seemingly through some mysterious connection.

Critias (Continued) However, I did not immediately begin to speak. This was because a long time had passed, and I could not fully recall everything. Therefore, I thought that first of all, for my own sake, I must remember everything thoroughly before speaking about it. That is why yesterday, I readily accepted the task you assigned me. The most difficult thing in such cases is to construct a story that fits the purpose, but I thought we could somehow manage that.

Critias (Continued). Therefore, as Timaios said earlier, after I left here yesterday, I immediately went to where those two were and recounted the story while recalling it. And when I returned home, during the night, I examined almost everything and remembered it. As is often said, childhood learning has an astonishing memory capacity. Whether I can recall everything that I heard just yesterday, I don't know. However, regarding things that I have been hearing for a long time, it is not surprising if nothing escapes my memory.

Critias (Continued). At that time, I was listening with great joy and a playful spirit. The old man taught diligently, and I repeatedly asked questions. Therefore, the story remained within me without fading, like an indelible mark. And this morning, I told the same thing to these two as well, so that they could have something to talk about together.

Critias (Continued). Thus, the reason for recounting everything that has come before is now clear. Socrates, I am now ready to recount not only the main points but also every detail exactly as I heard it. Yesterday, you spoke of citizens and a city almost like a myth; now, I will bring those things here as truths. And let us say that the citizens you were thinking about are the people who were spoken of by the priest, our true ancestors. They correspond perfectly, so we would not be straying from the truth if we said they were the people who existed at that time. We will consult together and strive to respond in a way that is as appropriate as possible to what you have requested.

Critias (continued) Therefore, Socrates, we need to consider whether this story aligns with our intentions, or whether we should further explore another story instead of this one.