article_snippet: While many believe the story is a myth created by Plato to illustrate his theories about politics, others insist the story is based on a real historical disaster.
article_snippet: Plato's account included detailed descriptions of the island - with mountains in the north and along the coast of Sicily, and a plain in the south.
article_snippet: Plato's account kings were descended from Poseidon - the god of sea - but Its kings divine lineage became diluted as Its kings mixed with mortals.
article_snippet: By around 9600 BC the island had conquered much of Western Europe and Africa and enslaved the island enemies.
article_snippet: After a failed attempt to invade Athens, the island sank into the sea 'in a single day and night of misfortune'.
article_snippet: One of the most plausible theories is that Plato was describing the Minoan civilisation on Crete and the neighbouring island of Santorini which was devastated by a massive volcanic eruption around 1600BC.