Critias
Critias is an unfinished dialogue by Plato, the sequel to the Timaeus, in which the Athenian statesman Critias undertakes to tell the story that Solon was said to have heard from the priests of Egypt. Nine thousand years earlier, he says, a great island power called Atlantis, lying beyond the Pillars of Heracles, attacked the cities of the Mediterranean and was defeated by ancient Athens before being swallowed by the sea. Critias describes the plain and the capital of Atlantis, its canals, harbors and temples, and the laws and government of early Athens, and the text breaks off as Zeus prepares to speak. It is the source of the Atlantis legend. The translation is by Benjamin Jowett. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the opening pages are free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Critias
Critias by Plato can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Critias online?
Yes. Critias opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Critias free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Critias is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Critias in the public domain?
Yes. Critias by Plato is a public-domain work, here in the translation by Benjamin Jowett. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Critias?
About 40 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Critias?
Critias by Plato is filed under "Essays & Letters" in the Vinteuil library.
