The prosperity and the fall of Atlantis. Herodotean Influences in the platonic tale of the corruption of the pólis
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Departing from an analysis of the way in which Herodotus reflects on prosperityand fall in his Croesus lógos, this article seeks to show some linksbetween this story and Plato’s tale of the rise and fall of Atlantis, a brilliantfable about the corruption and decay of the political community. I will try toshow up to what extent the cause of the fall of the powerful and desappearedisland lays in its inhabitants gradual disregard of phrónesis. I will try tocontribute in this way –secondarily—to reinforce, with new hypothesis, acertain interpretation about the role played by the Atlantis myth in the unityand coherence of the whole Platonic project of Timaeus-Critias dialogues.In these pages, I will first analyze (section 2) the crucial difference betweenHerodotus conception of prosperity and the one shown by archaic poets.Second, (section 3), I will analyze the more superficial and the more deepinfluences of Herodotus conception in the Platonic making of his Atlantismyth. I will try to show the strategic presence, both in Timaeus and Critias,of the references to phrónesis. Then, I will try (section 4) to confirm theinfluence of Herodotus in Plato, looking at the narrative construction of thecharacteres of Solon and above all of Croesus. Finally (section 5) I will offersome hypothesis about the reasons Plato might have had to finish his owntale sinking not only the decadent Atlantis, but also the victorious Athens.
- Plato
- corruption of the polis.
- Herodotus
- Croesus
- Atlantis
- Corruption of the polis
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