logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2023
28m 54s

Atlantis (Radio Edit)

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Stephen Kershaw and comedian Sophie Duker to dive into the myth of Atlantis.

The Atlantean story has its origins in the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. And literally nowhere else. Yet the enduring appeal of this mythical city and a sophisticated civilisation lost beneath the waves has lasted for thousands of years. It has inspired a huge number of stories and some very ropey documentaries. The myth also has a darker side, as the allegory of Atlantis has been used to try and justify racist philosophies and policies during some of the darkest events in history.

For the full-length version of this episode, please look further back in the feed.

Up next
Jul 4
History of Coffee (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined by Professor Jonathan Morris and comedian Sophie Duker to learn all about the bittersweet history of coffee.Coffee is undoubtedly one of the most popular drinks worldwide, and we consume an estimated 95 million cups of the stuff everyday in the UK alone. But ... Show More
28m 11s
Jul 4
American War of Independence: Fourth of July Special
Greg Jenner is joined in the eighteenth century by Professor Frank Cogliano and comedian and actor Patton Oswalt for a special Fourth of July episode all about the American War of Independence. Also known as the American Revolutionary War, 2025 marks 250 years since the start of ... Show More
57m 34s
Jun 27
Announcing Series 10
Greg Jenner previews some of the topics and guest coming up in the new series of You're Dead To Me which starts on Friday 4 July, 2025. 
47s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2023
There Was No Ancient Apocalypse & Atlantis Wasn’t the Eye of the Sahara (Deconstructing Atlantis RE-AIR)
Due to a frustratingly renewed interest, we're revisiting the Deconstructing Atlantis series. The story of Atlantis has fascinated the world for centuries... But how many of us know where the story came from, or what is actually included in the original source? Episode one of Dec ... Show More
2h 15m
Jan 2022
Deconstructing Atlantis: Finding Atlantis in the Depths of Plato’s Imagination (Part 1)
The story of Atlantis has fascinated the world for centuries... But how many of us know where the story came from, or what is actually included in the original source? Episode one of Deconstructing Atlantis dives into the story of Atlantis as it exists in the Timaeus and Critias. ... Show More
50m 16s
Feb 2023
Here’s Why Pseudoarchaeology & the Search For Atlantis is Bad, Actually (Deconstructing Atlantis Conversations RE-AIR)
Due to a frustratingly renewed interest, we're revisiting the Deconstructing Atlantis series. Today's episode features conversations from last year's Deconstructing Atlantis series: with Flint Dibble, David S. Anderson, and Steph Halmhofer. Check out Flint's twitter relevant thre ... Show More
3h 32m
Oct 2021
The Lost Civilization of Atlantis
In the Dialogues written by Plato in the year 360 BC, he wrote of a place called Atlantis. Atlantis was a place where the citizens were half-gods and half-men, yet it was destroyed in a cataclysmic event. Ever since then people have been speculating about where Atlantis was and w ... Show More
11m 34s
Jan 2022
Conversations: From the Known to the Unknown, Atlantis vs. Mediterranean Archaeology w/ Flint Dibble
Liv speaks with researcher Flint Dibble all about the archaeology of the Mediterranean, what we know about Plato's Atlantis, and more importantly: what we know about Athens from the Bronze Age and earlier! Twitter threads mentioned in the episode: Atlantis in current pop culture, ... Show More
1h 14m
Oct 2022
Plato's Atlantis
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Plato's account of the once great island of Atlantis out to the west, beyond the world known to his fellow Athenians, and why it disappeared many thousands of years before his time. There are no sources for this story other than Plato, and he tells ... Show More
54m 15s
Oct 2022
Plato's Atlantis
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Plato's account of the once great island of Atlantis out to the west, beyond the world known to his fellow Athenians, and why it disappeared many thousands of years before his time. There are no sources for this story other than Plato, and he tells ... Show More
54m 15s
Nov 2009
Was there really an Atlantis?
According to Plato, Atlantis was an ancient civilization destroyed by an earthquake over 10,000 years ago. Join Katie and Sarah as they take a look at the myth of Atlantis -- and the bizarre theories surrounding its location -- in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at ... Show More
14m 36s
May 2022
The Lost City of Atlantis
Glittering structures, rare wildlife. The extraordinary beauty of Atlantis was guarded over by Poseidon and his kin. One man’s misguided quest for glory will bring it all down. In its place, a legend will arise about a city lost beneath the waves. This is the story of the greates ... Show More
54m 6s
Aug 2023
125: Rise of Atlantis and Fall of the Lemuria: The War that Sank a Continent
For thousands of years, the world has been captivated by the mystery of Atlantis. The concept of an ancient city hidden beneath the ocean is fascinating. But what if there was not just a city, but an entire continent buried beneath the waves? The continent of Lemuria is a massive ... Show More
28m 34s