Atlantis existed.

I would like to begin by thanking Mr for his continuation of the debate.Introduction My opponent has provided several arguments to refute my case, but they do not tie together and are somewhat contradictory. For instance, my opponent begins by stating Atlantis is completely fictional, then argues that it was based on the Greek city of Athens, and finally uses a definition which links it to Thera, the island I mentioned in my argument as well. His arguments can be described as (1) Plato’s account was a philosophical tale rather than history, (2) Plato’s account was based in the story of Athens rather than Crete, (3) Plato’s account was based in Thera rather than Crete, and finally (4) what seems to be a one-sentence rebuttal to my entire case. I will rebut each accordingly. Philosophy My opponent states that “before Plato this Atlantis you speak of is never mentioned anywhere else.” I do not believe my opponent read my argument. I was arguing that Atlantis was the name Plato gave to the actual historic Minoan civilization. If I can prove that Plato was referring to the Minoans, which I believe I did, then the fact that the name Atlantis is never mentioned before is perfectly compatible with my case. The definition my opponent agreed to states that we are discussing the civilization Plato was referring to. The Platonist primacy of the name Atlantis, a name Plato may have very well fabricated, is therefore extraneous because it does not refute the historical authenticity of the civilization he was referring to. My opponent then quotes, “‘Where the story contains descriptions or events that resemble historic happenings, it only does so to the degree that any piece of fiction relies on experiences of reality.’” This could not be more wrong. As I quoted in my opening argument, Plato states he is conveying actual history: “[…] for all the important part of what I have to tell is dependent on her favor, and if I can recollect and recite enough of what was said by the priests, and brought hither by Solon, I doubt not that I shall satisfy the requirements of this theatre.” [1] Plato’s tone was not philosophical, but was genuine in relaying historical fact. Additionally, one historian notes that “In the case of Atlantis, Plato believed no doubt that it was based on fact and that it came, as he said, from ancient Egyptian records.” [2] There is simply no reason to believe Plato was speaking allegorically, and every reason to believe he was speaking historically. Athens My opponent declares that the story of Atlantis was created as a means to glorify Athens rather than convey history. He does not provide a single bit of evidence for this claim. The probability of the Minoans as the civilization he was referring to, substantiated by my opening argument, negates this point. Furthermore, this contention is contradictory with my opponent’s first contention, that Atlantis was not historically based at all, but a philosophical parable, as he is now arguing that Atlantis was historically based, but this time in a fashion that would venerate Athens. He then quotes The Republic, continuing his earlier claim of Atlantis being entirely fictional, but this again is reversed by Plato’s genuine belief in the historical validity of Atlantis. Thera If anything, my opponent’s final contention is an argument for my case. He states, “lastly the definition of Atlantis at which mentions it was linked to the island of Thera instead.”While I disagree with his need to provide an additional definition of the same term he agreed with in round 1, my opponent argues that through this definition it is linked with Thera. I completely agree. Thera is a vital part of the Minoan-Atlantean correlation, as the eruption of a Theran volcano is what caused the cataclysmic tsunamis [3] so similar to Plato’s description of the Atlantean disaster. Additionally, the Minoans are of further relevance to Thera, as the ancient Cretans established a naval base on Thera at around 1700 BC. [4] My opponent’s assertion that the Atlantean story is instead linked to Thera is not only contradictory to both the philosophical contention and the Athens contention, it also assists my case in support of the Minoan civilization as a basis for Plato’s account of Atlantis. In Defense of the Atlantean-Minoan correlation My opponent finally states that “Also your theory of the Minoan story is being retold is highly unlikely according to my reasonings i mentioned earlier.” Because I have successfully negated every single one of his contradictory contentions, this statement is similarly unsound. The Minoan historical basis theory is simply more probable than a philosophical tale or an Athenian historical basis, and my opponent’s link to Thera only supports my argument further. Because Plato was exonymically describing the Minoan civilization as Atlantis, and because the Minoan civilization did in fact exist, the necessary conclusion is that Atlantis existed. The resolution is affirmed. References 1. Plato. Timaeus. 2. Godwin, Joscelyn. Atlantis and the Cyles of Time. p. 30. 3. McLeish, Todd. “Santorini eruption much larger than originally believed.” University of Rhode Island. Web. Accessed 29 May 2012. 4. “The Cycladic Civilization.” The Hellenic Foundation. Web. Accessed 4 July 2012.