Atlantis: The Antediluvian World (2/2) 💡 By Ignatius Donnelly. FULL Audiobook

Atlantis: The Antediluvian World. By Ignatius Donnelly. Full Audiobook
In his groundbreaking work, "Atlantis: The Antediluvian World," published in 1882, American politician and author Ignatius Donnelly presented a captivating narrative of a lost civilization that once thrived in the Atlantic Ocean. Inspired by Plato's dialogues Timaeus and Critias, Donnelly meticulously compiled historical, mythological, and linguistic evidence to support his theory that Atlantis was a highly advanced society that sank beneath the waves in a cataclysmic event, leaving behind enduring traces in various cultures around the world.

Donnelly's central thesis revolves around the notion that Atlantis was the original source of civilization, a cradle of knowledge and innovation that seeded the development of humanity's cultural achievements. He proposed that Atlantis's influence can be traced in the similarities between ancient mythologies, architectural styles, and linguistic elements across diverse regions.

The Atlantis Hypothesis

At the heart of Donnelly's Atlantis hypothesis lies the concept of hyperdiffusionism, the idea that one civilization gave rise to all other civilizations. He argued that Atlantis's advanced technology and knowledge spread throughout the world, influencing the development of cultures from the Americas to Europe and Africa.

Donnelly's evidence for Atlantis's existence spanned a wide range of sources. He drew upon Plato's accounts, noting the consistent descriptions of Atlantis as a large, prosperous island located beyond the Pillars of Hercules (the Strait of Gibraltar) and its catastrophic destruction due to a natural disaster.

Linguistic and Cultural Evidence

Donnelly also delved into linguistic comparisons, identifying similarities between words and grammatical structures in various languages, suggesting a common origin in Atlantis. He also explored the symbolism and themes shared across mythologies, including tales of a lost paradise, a great flood, and a hero's descent into the underworld.

Archaeological and Geological Clues

Donnelly further bolstered his case by examining geographical features, such as submerged landmasses and underwater ruins, that he believed could be remnants of Atlantis. He also speculated that certain geological formations, such as the Great Barrier Reef, could be the product of an ancient cataclysm.

Impact and Reception

Donnelly's book, while not without its critics, ignited a widespread interest in the Atlantis myth. It inspired numerous subsequent works of fiction and non-fiction, and its ideas continue to be debated and explored by scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Contemporary Perspectives

Modern archaeology and geology have not yet yielded conclusive evidence to support the existence of Atlantis in the manner Donnelly described. However, the allure of the lost continent remains strong, and its symbolic power continues to inspire imaginations and fuel speculation about humanity's origins and potential.

Donnelly's work, though largely considered speculative, remains a fascinating and influential contribution to the Atlantis mythos. His book's enduring popularity speaks to the power of the Atlantis myth as a representation of humanity's search for its roots and the potential for lost civilizations to hold clues to our understanding of the past and future.

Image: Illustration depicting Atlantis as a technologically advanced society
More: Atlantis, Ignatius Donnelly, Audiobook
Lost Civilization, Ancient History, Plato
Mythology, Archaeology, Pseudoarchaeology
Speculative History, Science Fiction, Philosophy
Esotericism, Symbolism

00:00:00 V. The Peruvian Colony
00:25:12 VI. The African Colonies
00:33:16 VII. The Irish Colonies From Atlantis
01:00:38 VIII. The Oldest Son Of Noah
01:34:51 IX. The Antiquity Of Some Of Our Great Inventions
02:06:16 X. The Aryan Colonies From Atlantis
02:38:36 XI. Atlantis Reconstructed

[arnoldworkman]

After lessoning to part's 1 and 2. This body of work will impress upon anyone the possibility of Atlantis. I encourage you to watch the documentary "The Atlantis Puzzle!" Whatever conclusion one may discern by these two hypothesis about Atlantis. It can't be denied that; forgotten or unknown cultures and civilizations have been discovered!